I am glad to hear talk of funding for Amtrak in Bristol again, but we still need ideas to fund the project. The country is in debt and projects like this are expensive as well. New ideas need to be presented to fund such projects and with election season now is the perfect time.
I would like to see certain traffic fines increased to fund rail projects and the infrastructure that support it. In Tennessee it is illegal to ride in the left hand lane, but this law is seldom enforced. Increasing the fine for this violation by $60 would encourage more enforcement and compliance with the law would help stop congestion. County and city governments could then be required to spent $20 of this money on new sidewalks and the remaining $40 could go toward bringing Amtrak to Bristol then other areas.
Kennith W. Osborne, Johnson City, Tenn.
Boucher bears blame for passage
Ever since the passage of Obamacare, many Americans have been clamoring for its repeal. The truth is, some of the legislators who are supposedly against the takeover could have either delayed or stopped it but didn’t. Congressman Rick Boucher was one of those people.
Let’s get to the truth about Congressman Rick Boucher’s vote on Obamacare. Even though he voted against President Barack Obama’s unpopular health care bill, he still bears responsibility for its passage, and here’s why:
By not challenging the unconstitutional practice of "deem and pass," Boucher enabled Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get the bill through the legislature and on to President Obama to become law. "Deem and pass" allows the majority party to bypass debate by the minority, and makes a mockery of traditional rules and procedures in the U.S. legislature.
Therefore, Rick Boucher does bear responsibility for numerous unpopular laws that are being virtually dictated by the Democrat-led Congress.
Congressman Steve King of Iowa has offered House Discharge Petition Number 11 in order to force the U.S. House of Representatives to begin repealing the horrible health care takeover that was rammed through in the face of massive public opposition. If Boucher really opposes Obamacare, then he shouldn’t have any problems in signing King’s discharge petition.
I encourage everyone in the Fighting 9th District to write or call Congressman Boucher and tell him to sign House Discharge Petition 11 to begin the repeal of Obamacare. I also ask that everyone in surrounding districts or states to tell their Congressman about the petition to repeal Obamacare. Once it is repealed, Congress can start over with real reforms that put patients first.
Real truth will set us free. But the truth according to Congressman Boucher, Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid and President Obama, will not.
Everyone keep an eye on Rick, because if he doesn’t sign the petition to get rid of Obamacare, then we’ll know where his true allegiance resides (Hint: It ain’t in Virginia’s 9th district).
Sunday should be devoted to the Lord
It saddens me greatly that some of the Fourth of July festivities in Abingdon were on a Sunday. I know that this year’s Independence Day was on a Sunday, but as our Pledge of Allegiance says, we are, "one nation under God…" I believe that the Sabbath is the Lord’s Day and a day of rest from worldly matters. I think that as a town, we who recognize Sunday as a holy day should be more dedicated to keeping it that way. I, for one, love peaceful Sundays devoted to the Lord.
I am a disappointed 14-year-old.
Matthew McMurray, Abingdon, Va.
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