Voice of the People - February 17, 2009
Public art is good for economy
Spending on the arts aids economic growth. The recent revocation of $50,000 for the Rock Hill water plant is a tragedy. This money comes from the hospitality tax, designed to improve Rock Hill in a variety of ways in order to attract more business as well as visitors. Factories may come and go, but public art keeps on giving. Just ask the Italians!
Laura Dufresne
Rock Hill
Governor wants no federal handouts
I live in a state of utter confusion and some insanity. A state where a piglet-toting governor does the "High Noon" thing with a bunch of old fossils and the old fossils win. "Trilobites Barbecue Governor Piglet," the headline reads in my imaginary tabloid. But that was in the past, you say. I know, but what a thoughtful metaphor for the now.
In "The Great Depression II, The Sequel" we face a global financial meltdown while Gov. Piglet and his noble side-kick, U.S. Sen. Mint Chip, oppose helping the citizens (serfs) of their own semi-defunct state get assistance to stave off starvation. We'll muddle through while the other states around us take the cash. Of course, we'll get some of that coin when their citizens (not serfs) come on down to play around in our state of insanity.
Our two state superheroes are concerned with our welfare. Oops, wrong word. No welfare. Bad, bad word. Sorry. No, they are concerned least we become socialists! Also a bad word, and one that conjures up nightmares of becoming Swedish or worse, French. Meant to scare the Bee Gees out of us. (Did you know that stayin' alive is easier in France? Yep, their health care system is touted as being one of the best, if not the best, in the world.) So, no socialism for us. Well, ah, except for universities. Gov. Piglet wants to consolidate the administrations of the universities. Bring 'em all to Columbia. Centralize 'em. Get rid of local control. Fire people. Make unemployment. Centrally plan it all. Socialize it. Good idea, maybe we can do the same for the state. Who needs a governor with attendant lackeys and legislators?
Mike Lavine
Rock Hill
Nation is moving quickly to the left
I have, in times out of ignorance, held to the belief that it's the women's right of choice to decide life or death for the unborn. I was wrong; God was right. Thou shall not murder.
Where we are as a free-independent country is a place I call "enslaved liberalism" which gives way to abortion, homosexuality, legalized gambling, same-sex marriage and pornography.
We have allowed a host of liberal ministers to shove abortion down our throats, saying that abortion is the women's choice. Now we will have the new president who will eventually legislate same-sex marriage which leads me into where are we going?
David F. Peake
Rock Hill
This story was originally published February 17, 2009 at 1:58 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - February 17, 2009."