Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Power company just has to ask for increases
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Power company just has to ask for increases
The power company wants three rate increases. Can you believe a monopoly can't stay in the black? Why should it? It is guaranteed a profit. Its stockholders never see a loss.
All the company has to do is spend all it has and then go to the SCC and say it needs rate increases. If the SCC doesn't give it what it wants, it'll just ask for another increase. It'll even start the increase now and assume the SCC will grant it. Could any good company operate like this?
It wants the increase to improve the company's financial picture and to cover higher overhead costs. What if it had to compete like other companies? Does it lay off 5,000 people? Does it refuse to grant raises? Does it ask one person to do two people's jobs? I think not.
The SCC needs to remember that the utility asks for twice what it hopes to get. When the SCC allows half of what the utility asks for, the power company still gets what it wants, and the customer is stuck with the bill. We're not stupid. We just don't have anyone to represent us.
What's the purpose of the movie 'W'?
Having nearly survived a humorless political season with conventions, five "debates" and several well-timed movies, it's great to witness stand-up from the candidates and movies and television shows cashing in on the entertainment values.
The print coverage of "W" would indicate that no malice or hatchet work is in play, so what is the purpose of a film depicting the worst president of the United States played by the son of an actor who made a similar depiction of Ronald Reagan several years before?
Perhaps the screen efforts of Al Gore and Michael Moore can be dredged up to add to a double feature billing.
In this campaign, ask: 'Who loves ya, baby?'
Some of us are old enough to remember the rhetorical question asked by Telly Savalas' character in the TV series "Kojak": "Who loves ya, baby?"
In the current political campaign, this question demands an answer. Which candidate and which party cares about us?
Who will uphold our interests rather than those of the power structure? Who will protect our economy from the manipulation of money and markets and prevent the corruption of our environment for private profit?
Who will support the marginalized and the poor instead of those already swimming in excess wealth?
Who will institute an equitable tax system for both individuals and business and provide universal access to affordable health care?
Which candidates will keep our nation from predatory international relations and restore our integrity in the world community?
Who will keep us from senseless wars that sacrifice precious lives and drain our resources, and avoid the misuse and abuse of our military to bludgeon our way to power?
Please examine the platforms and performance of the candidates carefully.
For me, the answers are clear. Barack Obama is our best and brightest hope, and the Democratic Party is the party of and for the people.
Keep us updated on coal issues
I'm an avid reader of The Roanoke Times and stark opponent of anything involving "clean coal" and mountaintop removal. In the Oct. 18 front news section there was a blurb (a story about a possible new federal coal proposal) at the top of a page, ("Around the Nation: Proposal would ease mountaintop mining rules"). Thanks for keeping us updated on coal issues and not burying that short news story farther down in the page.
We in the Roanoke and New River valleys need to be more into coal issues than we are, since there are coalfields in our back yard. We need to stand up and support those who are deeply affected by the murderous concept of mountaintop removal and its related problems, like burying streams, creeks and villages. Thanks again.
Government can't endorse one religion
Recent news stories concerned the action of the Virginia state police superintendent instructing the volunteer chaplains among the troopers to abide by the principle that prayers offered by them at public functions should be nonsectarian.
The response was to be expected: Some volunteers resigned their duties, and politicians, including Republicans Del. Charles W. "Bill" Carrico Sr. and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, have labeled the decision an "attack on Christianity." Unfortunately, such attempts to make Christianity the approved religion of governmental entities is a no-win situation.
People of faith should take their instruction from theologians instead of preachers. One very clear topic involved in the brouhaha is routinely ignored. The biblical basis for using the phrase "In the name of Jesus" to conclude prayers is found in the Gospel of John. Verses clearly state that the result of praying in Jesus's name guarantees positive results -- that Jesus "will do it," God "may give it to you" and "ask, and you shall receive."
Old habits die hard; finding legal support for praying, with governmental approval of one faith, is a lost cause.
Listen to McCain, a man of honor
I am tired of listening to liberal media that decide what I need to know instead of reporting the truth and letting me decide what to believe.
I have watched the liberal media give coverage and encouragement to a man running for president who is living the American dream, but who wants to change America. He wants me to work hard, so he and an even bigger government under his administration can decide how best to give my money away to others.
He is not patriotic. He does not have experience. His ideas are so far to the liberal left that they seem bizzare, and his background and associates are questionable.
I have watched the liberal media criticize, and at times ignore, a true American patriot and hero, John McCain. He is the man who sacrificed greatly for this country. McCain has been a leader for years and he has always demonstrated that he puts country first. There is no question about his integrity, honor and dignity. He can be trusted to do what he believes is right.
Remember what McCain said, "Listen to the words of Obama, my friends." I say listen very carefully.
MARVIN McMILLIAN
Nobody's entitled to what I've earned
Our culture as a nation is changing. We have developed the notion that we are entitled to just about anything we want. A house we can't afford? Sure. A new car? Why not? We deserve it.
We're not asking one important question: Can we afford it? We deserve so much -- it's a shame we don't earn enough to pay for everything. It's time we reshape our nation's focus. It's time we shift away from the ideals of entitlement and embrace personal responsibility.
Joe the Plumber has stirred up some important issues regarding Barack Obama's tax plan. Should any citizen's wealth be spread around? Not a chance. I work hard each day to make a living and earn an income.
Obama's support for the redistribution of wealth places the American Dream in jeopardy. It sends our nation a message that hard work is no longer valued and thereby destroys the heart of the American dream.
The dream cannot be attained by waiting for the government to send you a portion of Joe's taxes. It takes hard work and determination. I'll keep the money I work hard for. I'll save and spend as I choose. I'm not entitled to it -- I've earned it.
