Talk of Lufkin

By concernedtaxpayer

July 2, 2009 12:32 AM | Link to this

It sounds more like a party than an actual protest to me. I cannot speak for what is going to happen on July 4, but as for the last one most if not all of the speakers at the last events held on April 15 were indeed Republican. We cannot continue going from one extreme to the other. Everyone hated Bush so a large majority vote for the Democrat because of course they must be the right side. Now after Obama is through making a bigger mess of things the same thing will happen and whether it is in three and a half or seven and a half years the tides will change and voters will blame the Democrats. Clinton played a large part in this recession too (though no one including himself cares to admit that). A sewer by any other name still stinks. It doesn’t matter what label you slap on them Democrat/Republican they both have the same agenda padding government coffers and lining their own pockets in the process. It seems to me the teabaggers are just trying to get out from under the Republican label while still promoting the same ideas. If they truly were going to stage a protest then there are several locations around town they should rally at, with their signs and their message. It isn’t an election year so empty promises, masquerading liars and grandstanding isn’t in season right now. It isn’t enough to talk about problems or solutions. Solutions are only as good as the people who are bound by our elections to put them into place. What we need are candidates to take the places of the ones who have failed us on every level of government. We need to replace Democrats AND Republicans with Americans. I am tired of hearing speakers who speak AT the public. I want someone who speaks with the public, who foregoes the music and the bling to make their statement and come to a reasonable conclusion with the taxpayers of what we can and will cut as far as our spending to soften the burden placed on their shoulders.

More government and less government are not the answer. Too many outside issues cloud the judgement of voters. Governments main purpose isn’t to decide what is right in a household. I am sorry that certain religions perpetuate that a marriage between two women and two men is wrong. Quite frankly that is an individual decision between the members of any particular household. It is not the government’s business, nor should we spend time and money on legislation to satisfy religious beliefs. It is the right of a church or organized religion to maintain a congregation of their choosing. It is the State’s obligation to issue a marriage license and collect fees for said license as a form of generating revenue. In a true seperation of church and state the state would have no interest in the applicants, sex or race upon issuance of the license. Abortion another heated topic that clouds issues and is used to sway votes one way or another. Our governments focus shouldn’t be on testing the flow of ketchup or any of these other issues. We have a budget, a massive deficit and all of our infrastructure, and now how to maintain foreign relations while at the same time reducing the amount of jobs we outsource to places like India and China. Healthcare is a big disability for this nation and as long as we continue to over extend ourselves and maintain our ballooning deficit there is no short term or long term fix to this problem. Government simply cannot afford to provide it’s citizens with healthcare.

As I said solutions and change are only as good as the officials who will be in charge of representing them.

By Dale

July 2, 2009 4:12 AM | Link to this

The public is ignorant and things will not improve anytime soon. This is what our educational system has created! I didn’t vote for Obama, he is so detached from reality, it is scary. I put us in the same situation that Germany found itself in just prior to the Third Reich’s creation. With these people in office, Democrats now control of all three branches, along with our professional government employees, the individual is not safe. We are approaching the point of no return, it is about control, and the radicals that once protested are now in charge and will suppress all criticism of Obama, for fear of retaliation no one is speaking up. Once healthcare is under government control, they will control all aspects of our lives. Everyone will have a case worker assigned to oversee you life, babysit if you will. All these people that voted for this administration will soon see their retirements shrinking; controlling the auto industry along with capturing the healthcare industry, innovation and profits will disappear. So much for your retirement’s funds, that will be the next target! Like I have always said when Government talks grab your wallet.

By Ted Gresham

July 2, 2009 7:06 AM | Link to this

The tea party is nothing more than a rally of disgruntled Republicans and Fox news fans angry that they lost the election. It’ right wing religious propaganda. They’re blaming Obama for everything Bush/Cheney did.

Our civil liberties were crushed and the government expanded exponentially after 9/11. Obama simply inherited the power and has chosen to use it rather than dismantle it. Most likely the Republicans are so afraid because they know the Federal Government no longer obeys the constitution and they don’t have control any longer.

Of course Obama is just George Bush with a sun tan. He is continuing and promoting the same horrible war, the same secrecy, the same disregard for freedom. The radical right wing created the monster and now they fear it has turned on them. The monster is not O’bambam, it is the government.

Suck it up, people. It’s your fault.

By Texas Citizen

July 2, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this

The OBama government run by Obama, Reid and Pelosie are nothing more than Socialist/Communist who now have seized control under the noses of the ignorant masses that voted them in. Chicago crime figures and party bosses now run your government. Corruption is ramptant in this Adminsration and Democrat party.

Toss them out and get the tar and feathers to demonstrate what’s going to happen to them for their greed at Raping this Nation and you taxpayers.

By Kenneth Mumphrey

July 2, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

It really makes me proud to see that while I am setting over her in Iraq with 120+ temperatures in the name of Freedom that the good OL’ Boys at home are still holding on to there old time ways. How about let’s tell the truth this has nothing to do with polotics and everything to do with people coming to realize that the world is moving forward and you all wanting to hold on to your old “ism’s”.Well I am sorry Lufkin to be the first to tell you but the world as you know it has passed and never to be anymore. If you want to fight a good fight start by saving your town have thousands of people march to get better wages.March to get yur local industries to retool plants and move away from the manufactering and move into the tech world with the rest of the civilized world.March for the mayor to attract more industry oh well I forgot that after all I am talking about Lufkin one of the most racially divided towns in America where if you are white and hanging in a parking lot on timberland drive on a friday night you are hanging out and if you are any other race you are loitering. Wake up people look at your kids they are not buying into your ism’s if you continue the world will leave you behind.Racism wrapped in a flag on the 4th of July is still rascism. No matter how subtle it is what it is.

By Texas Citizen

July 2, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

Kenneth don’t feed that line of BS and not expect someone like me to throw it right back at you. Serving in Iraq? I served 25 yrs and now pay the consequences for the injuries over them. I don’t believe in that old sad song and dance about how racism is here in Lufkin, that’s a two way street friend. Look at how hard the people in North Lufkin are fighting to keep the same ole sad sack life complaining how no one wants to improve the economics of North Lufkin AND when someone wants to develope that area…..all they get is a stone wall of nothing and no help.

So sit there and complain about waking Lufkin up all you want to, and then get back here and really start to help Lufkin out. I’ll be at the July 4th Rally and do my part about making these politicians obey and serve the people like the US Constitution demands!

By Reader

July 2, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

People attending are mindless automatons following the poor losers who were defeated fairly in the last election. They have no interest in improving things, as evidenced by their absolute negativity with no solutions offered. They just want the current government to fail, no matter what happens to the country.

Thanks to the steamroller of globalization which was driven by the Bush, Clinton and Bush administrations (all with the help of Republican congresses) our country and the world has changed. The old way is gone.

By Reader

July 2, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this

(Sorry, I left the first sentance of the post…)

The anti-government demonstrations calld “Tea Parties” are no different than the anti-war rallies of the Viet Nam era.

People attending are mindless automatons following the poor losers who were defeated fairly in the last election. They have no interest in improving things, as evidenced by their absolute negativity with no solutions offered. They just want the current government to fail, no matter what happens to the country.

Thanks to the steamroller of globalization which was driven by the Bush, Clinton and Bush administrations (all with the help of Republican congresses) our country and the world has changed. The old way is gone.

By Obenreizer

July 2, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

Ted—

Before you continue along your misguided path, please read the book The 5000 Year Leap. It clearly demonstrates (with supporting source references) the founding principles of our Constitution. THE VIOLATION OF THOSE PRINCIPLES FORM THE BASIS OF THE TEA PARTIES. If you read the book and still hold your opinion, then at least your opinion will be informed. (Scary, but nevertheless informed.)

—You are RIGHT that Bush (and I’ll throw in Clinton) is a part of the problem. He became a big government politician whose actions were no friend to the Constitution.

—You are WRONG that Tea Parties are about disgruntled Republicans—they are not about Republicans, rather they are about disgruntled Conservatives and Constitutionalists. IT’S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, NOT THE PARTIES! IT’S ABOUT LIBERTY—BOTH YOUR’S AND MINE.

—You are WRONG about Obama—he is following his own, carefully planned path. He is a bitter and angry fascist [a fascist believes in private ownership of industry, but only under gov’t control; as well as a tight control on the liberties of the citizenry].

President Obama thinks he is “getting back” at society for past real or perceived injustices. but all he is doing is selling out the future hopes of your and my and everyone in Lufkin’s children and grandchildren. Under him, each household now owes over $250,000!

Here’s the problem—it is such a large amount, it can’t be paid back, even if you soaked every rich person for every penny. Hyperinflation and depression FOR ALL is imminent. Translation: “it’s sure nuf gonna happen.”

But you keep blaming it one others and giving the main culprit, Obama, a pass, and you doom your posterity to a hopeless life style of government dependency and humiliation.

Founding politicians demanded “give me Liberty or give me death”…today’s politicians demane “give me, given me, give me.

Come join the tea party. See for yourself. Who knows, you might decide you want to stop ALL politicians before the hopes and liberty of you and your children are lost.

By USA!

July 2, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

Kenneth,

Thank you for your service to this country. God Bless You. You made a lot of good points. Cheer up, the reactionary right wing types are slowly being phased out due to age around here.

Obama got 44% statewide in without even campaigning.

By i love a debate

July 2, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us! In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old, but it will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it! I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help, but why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes etc. to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on any other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By concernedtaxpayer

July 2, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

I do thank you for your Kenneth for your devoted service to this country, and for the concern you have shown by not only reading but posting your view in this public forum for comment.

I do find it very ironic that in the article and comments you are the one to make it a racism issue. I believe this tea party, no matter how anyone wants to paint it or what flag they want to wrap it in is a radical movement trying to portray a better less conservative picture of itself. I think it has nothing to do with race and that blacks, whites and hispanics add fuel to the racism fire and go on the attack not based on policy or spending habits, but because someone, regardless of their color, is attacking a black presidents spending habits and all out lying to the public at large. There are many fact check websites you can look all of this up. I personally take the initiative to go to the whitehouse website and pay attention to what is promised, what is being done and what is just double speak provided by his own personal team of writers.

I agree these tea parties if they really wanted to insight change, the same would apply to Mr Obama, then the place to start is in your own town. I have already read many articles on several schools in chicago who have a failure rate of more than 50% (that is right in his backyard), the crime rate is astronomical there, skipping that moving on to Lufkin instead of congregating at the Expo Center if you really want to insight change there is plenty of it to go around right here in town. Take your people, your message and your protest to the civic center, the Museum of East Texas, the forestry museum and yes even the expo center they all received a little under a million dollars from taxpayers this year. Then take a march to downtown and protest the millions that have been spent down there, around to the appraisal district to protest the tax increase that is going to pay for it all. None of that has to do with being black, white or hispanic, republican or democrat or teabagger.

Race did come into play this election, but it wasn’t by the whites. Mr. Obama used his race and charm to his advantage to get elected. He is half black and half white, but he wasn’t parading around his white roots. Hillary Clinton is one of the most powerful people in politics, she ran a good race and raised a lot of money even before she started campaigning. If Mr. Obama had been a white man based on his lack of experience and no real indication one way or the other as to his voting habits as only a 3 year member of the Senate the DNC would have never put him on their ticket.

But don’t take my message as right wing activism, I doubt very seriously that Mr. McCain or Mrs. Clinton would be doing any better themselves. That is the saddest part, the better man for the job may have been elected, but the BEST one for the job wasn’t even on the ticket.

My sincerest apologies at you putting your life on the line in the sweltering heat of a third world desert, and that yet another president has failed you and our other Men and women at bringing you home to spend time with your families and perhaps aid in our ongoing effort to restore our own communities, and I will shake the hands of our hero’s who do that in thanks for their service without noticing or caring what color their skin is.

By TX Rep

July 2, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Obenreizer, screw you. You know nothing and you are an idiot. Go sit down with the ladies. That is all.

By i love a debate

July 2, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us! In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old, but it will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it! I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help, but why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes etc. to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on any other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By a concerned mother

July 2, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By concernedtaxpayer

July 2, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

Concerned mother,

It is a travesty that in this country or in this town we have even 1 citizen who does not know how they are going to pay their electric bill. They won’t turn your electric off in this blistering heat (it would be criminal if they did), and there has has already been an article stating they had suspended cutting off peoples power. Not that, that provides any sort of consolation to you. These so-called stimulus plans are really borrowed money and so really no matter how dire our situation is we should not borrow money we will have to pay back through high taxes and costs of living to try and get through now. If some of the aspects of our past generations, and some recent ones as well, had endured just a little more hardship like smaller more affordable housing, businesses that sustained themselves and savings accounts to weather in when times are tough we would not be the ones forced to endure it now.

Some people have suggested that we have moved on from the past. With regard to information and technology that would be a fair and reasonable statement. With regard to government, elected officials and our current economy we are right back in the Depression era of the late 1920s and 30s. We are reliving a time in history because we chose to ignore how that happened.

I am not ashamed to be an American, not even in this time of hardship. A true measure of a person is not measured in where they stand during times of plenty and greatness, but rather where they stand in times of turmoil and strife. So this is our opportunity to prove to ourselves, our country and the world that we are not the gold diggers and elitists in that picture they have painted of us, nor are we the ignorant masses and helpless robots our government wants us to be.

By i love america

July 2, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By some people never know when to be quiet

July 2, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

Concerned Taxpayer: Maybe instead of writing so much, you might try listening. Concerned Mother said that she did not know how she was going to pay her bills, not that she was so stupid that she could not read! The article that you mentioned did say that they would not turn off the lights, but it did not say that they would let you go forever and not make a payment! You make some really good points on a lot of things, but you need to listen sometimes also. She also said that if we let people live under bridges, go hungry, or not help our sick and old people, THEN she would be ashamed of America. She also said that we need to pull together. You should take her advice.

By a concerned mother

July 2, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this

Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By concernedtaxpayer

July 2, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this

Some people don’t know when to shut up, you sure made a lot of inferences and assumptions from my comment. I made no reference to her being unable to read, nor did I state they would never turn her electricity off, simply not in this blistering heat.

I stated that I was proud that I was an American which is a statement about my own personality. You made the leap to my being insulted by the fact that she was ashamed. With the reasons she had listed I maintained no offense as to why she would feel this way.

With the utmost respect, and the detest at having to explain and repeat myself, a reasonable suggestion would be that rather than interpreting someone elses comments to me, you might devote as much attention to what I ACTUALLY said.

I read each comment, give them the time they require to come to an understanding, and respond appropriately. I mean exactly what I say without inference or implied assumptions. It is well within your rights should you not like the volume or the content with which I write to not read it. It is within my rights to continue voicing my opinion whether it is listened to or agreed upon.

When did trying to offer a bit of consolation in an obviously stressful situation become an assault on her literacy or character? Read the comment I wrote and the one you wrote as a response, which one was more derogatory?

By some people never know when to be quiet

July 2, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

Not worth the effort.

By some people never know when to be quiet

July 2, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this

REWRITTEN TO SHOW WHAT WAS SAID: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By Island_Guy

July 2, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this

These demonstrations do no absolute good at all. The die has been already case, folks.

Washington has already made the tax impositions on the state taxpayers already. There is no reasonable way to get out from under this. All the demonstrations in the world will not counter the already-signed law for increased taxation.

I cannot wait to see what the Obama-Land boys will have in store now to tax overseas residents such as myself this year.

By let's try this again

July 2, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

Judge for yourself: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By concernedtaxpayer

July 2, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this

I am not sure how it is pertinent to repost twice a comment that has already been posted. The question I asked you, which you so candidly put was not worth the effort, was in reference to the comment you posted about me. Should we ascertain by this lack of effort and utilization of someone elses message that you were unable to form an answer of your own?

By I want to try this again - concerned mom

July 2, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

THIS IS NOT SHOWING ON MY SITE, SO I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE 3 WAS THE WINNING NUMBER OF TIMES TO SHOW IT: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

Judge for yourself: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By Jay H.

July 2, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this

Our Texas Governor Backs Resolution Supporting 10th Amendment.

Interesting to see where this goes. Think people are tired of DC’s ineffectiveness and spend spend spend mentality.

Also don’t want DC saddling them with ongoing taxes for their various social engineering programs.

I think this is significant as a Governor is backing it, Texas is a large state and they have a history of being very independent.

By Kenneth Mumphrey

July 3, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this

Let me first clarify a few things I am not a soldier. I work For the DOD however that has not stopped me from getting blown up twice but that is irrelevant. However I do owe my increased passion my awareness of the things that go on around me to those two specific occasions, when your life flashes before you all you can think of is home and your love ones. So when I hear statements like Take your people, your message and your protest. The your is hidden racism whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. Look it is time for the people to stop blaming the government for everything that is wrong and ask yourself what are you doing to better the situation. There is a 50% drop out rate in Chicago but ask yourself how many hours have you volunteered to prevent this from happening in Lufkin . Lufkin will stay divided until we are able to move past the past if we keep blaming the government for everything we will accomplish nothing as far as paying taxes that is the price of freedom. I pay more taxes every month than most people make as salary and never complain. I am comfortable in the fact that my family is protected and secure form all the hatred that exists abroad. When the towers fell everyone was looking to the government for a response now that everyone feels safe the government is the villain until the next disaster comes along.Let’s not wait to then you really can’t fix America when your State is messed up you can’t fix your State when your town is in disarray.Fix the problems at home first and you want have any complaints about the Federal Goverment.Stop sdking for answers and the Goverment will stop giving you solutions that you have know contol over. Fix your problems on the local or state level and there will not be a need for Federal involvement.

By concerned mothers agree

July 3, 2009 2:18 AM | Link to this

THIS WAS NEVER POSTED WHERE ALL COULD SEE: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

Judge for yourself: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By lawricker

July 3, 2009 7:01 AM | Link to this

Obama ran on “Change” he said if at the end of his term things were not better, he would not be re-elected. Simple answer, he is not your problem, it is your Representatives and Senators who are creating and passing these spending bills. That is who you need to replace, unfortunately our Senator and representative are not the problem (Angelina County).

All we can do is “B***” hold a ralley and wish for change.

By i totally agree

July 3, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this

Change is certainly happening everyday! Part of the spending that is going on is putting unqualified people into jobs that are made up and paying them a tremendously, ridiculously high salary!

I do not see this post anywhere, so I thought I would help it be seen again. “Concerned Mother” makes a lot of sense, and I totally agree with her. This is her post: Why are we blaming each other? This is what Washington wants. They want us to fight between ourselves and forget what they are doing! I don’t care what party thinks they are right, because they are both WRONG!!! All I can say is that when the ENTIRE COUNTRY of everyday Americans are wondering where their next meal will come from, how can the government even start to explain how they can give themselves a raise? In just a few short months, we have seen businesses across America, and especially here in Lufkin, close their doors and tell their employees to go home. We have seen the “freedom of speech”, and the “freedom to run these businesses” taken away from us. In just a few short months, we have seen the fastest raise in unemployment AND the biggest spending bill we have ever seen! But, the money will not be used to feed our hungry or to help our sick and old. It will be to build golf courses and playgrounds for the rich and famous! I don’t mean to upset anyone, but IF I CAN’T FEED MY FAMILY, I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE EVER PLAYS A ROUND OF GOLF AGAIN!!! I have always been proud to call myself an American. This is where I was born and raised and I have always loved this country! But, if there is ONE FAMILY living under a bridge, if there is ONE PERSON living in a cardboard box, if there is ONE CHILD sick and hungry in America, then I am ashamed to say that I am an American! That is what I pay my taxes for, NOT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A FREE HAND TO “BLOW” IT ALL!!! Why don’t these government officials learn to live on the salary that the everyday people have to try to live on? Please notice the use of the word “try” because we ain’t making it! I’m not sure what the salary percentage of the everyday person is supposed to be, because I have never made it. I have only one home, and we are NOT talking about a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, let me tell you! I don’t think a dog would consider living in this house, but yet how many homes have our tax dollars bought for the people in Washington? What of the “stars” in Hollywood? California is begging for help. Why don’t they get all of the people who owe taxes (in California and Washington also) to pay them, and then they should have money left over? I have seen the day that my Mother worked 3 jobs just to see that my brother and I had food on the table! She never had the money to go to a beauty shop and get her hair done, much less be able to fly her airplane to that beauty shop! She never had “thousands” to spend on date night, because she never had time to date. You see she was too tired to go out! She never took the time to throw big dinner parties, because she was sitting down to a supper where all we had to eat was a chicken leg apiece and she had a chicken neck. I am tired of the government taking a salary when they were supposed to work for us and hold a regular job too! The Bible says that a workman is worthy of his hire, but I have not seen a “workman” in either party in Washington! All I see is “the parties throwing parties”! I don’t see why we are still paying people who no longer hold offices when their term is over. If my Mother could work until her retirement age, then so can they. You shouldn’t just hold an office to receive a salary, because I don’t know of anyone in Washington “earning” that salary! As far as it being hot in other countries, here in Texas we feel like we are sitting over the very “pits of hell”, and yet I am sitting here looking at an electric bill that there is no way that I can pay it! So, what can I do? How can I make it work? Where will the money come from to pay this bill or the other bills that I face day in and day out? It could have come from the stimulus package but it didn’t. I mean if we were going to use the money for things that will not help most Americans, why not give each family a “part” of it. So, what can I do about paying these bills? Wait a minute I have the answer! I guess I can always sell my golf clubs - if I had any that is!!! In closing, I would like to challenge each and every American to go listen to FOX News and then go listen and see if the same stories are on ANY other news program. Listen to all sides and make a decision on which one is reporting the news correctly. Any intelligent person will be able to figure this out - we did!

By Billy Bob

July 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this

Kenneth Mumphrey - Oh now we get it, you’re not a soldier in Iraq, you’re a WAR PROFITEER in Iraq.

Your mother must be so proud.

By concernedtaxpayer

July 3, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

Well Kenneth, I see you are still wanting this to be about race, or perhaps just have a general lack of understanding of the English language. the “your people” I spoke of are the ones who will be congregating out at the expo center, as it is primarily a conservative cause one might deduce the more prominent race out there is going to be white, so how you have managed to translate that into racism is beyond me.

As to your other suggestions of why I am not out volunteering at Lufkin to help the dropout rate. Did it ever occur to you that not just me, but many of our fine citizens have had to take on extra jobs (as was pointed out by concerned mother) just to make ends meet. I do not have children because I cannot afford them. My primary job is piped in via the internet from another state because there is no employment in this community. Did it ever figure in to your calculation that by the end of the day and I get off work there is no day left. Perhaps the fact the government is your employer is the reason you do not wish to levy blame on them, but they share a large part in this too.

Unfortunately Island Guy and everyone else is right what’s done is done and we are stuck with it. The only place and only time we really have a voice is in election years at the voting booth.

You can walk away believing we are all racists. When someone wants to perceive racism there is very little a person of the opposite party can do to dissuade them. But in this forum you don’t know what color my skin is and I dont’ know what color yours is. I have already been mistaken for a man a few times.

By Obenreizer

July 3, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Sooooooo, how is that “change” working out for you?

— Unemployment skyrocketing to near 10% under BHO (who said it would not get above 8% if HIS bailout plan was implemented) Oops.
BONUS: gloomy forecast, no end in sight. Manufacturing sector weakening (at least, what’s left of it in the USA)…Small businesses contracting, not expanding…but Rohm “Let no crisis go unwasted” Emanual is getting along quite well.

— Tax revenues down. Way down. And trending yet lower. This translates to less handouts to those who admire that sort of self deprecation (as well as those few who truly deserve it).
Don’t believe in Reagan’s Trickle Down? You will when the Progressive’s “soak and get even with those evil rich people” dries up tax funds.

— *National debt now $250,000 per household. * Congratulations, Progressives/Liberals, you have made history! This is the first time it is guaranteed that the children of the next generation will have a lifestyle that is lower than the previous one. BONUS: Don’t put away your calculators … gov’t run healthcare will add to this significantly.

FACTOID: Both our US Senators — Cornyn and Hutchison — voted FOR the original Bush $750,000,000,000 bailout.

When it comes to abandoning founding principles, I don’t differentiate Bush from Obama from Cornyn from Pelosi from Hutchison from Cornyn … they ALL sold us down the river.

MORAL OF THE STORY TEA PARTIES are NOT about political party, it’s about freedom from a too-powerful federal government our founders so feared but and tried to prevent.

By concernedtaxpayer

July 3, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this

yes we are all acutely aware of the facts surrounding all our bailouts and who voted for what. Obama voted for it, McCain voted for it, hillary voted for it, Cornyn voted for it, hutchison voted for it… and YES I wrote my congressman persons and got the same standard answer they push off everytime a constituent has a response. So when everyone is voting against the taxpayers who is there left for us to vote for?

By Cantbelieveit

July 3, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this

Concerned tax payer, Do you believe that you were created by God- it is written in the bible: Do you believe that we are currently experiencing wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, heading in direction of global economy, amongst several other horrible things- it is written in the bible. Based on my experiences, too numerous to mention, I believe everything the bible says, it is confirmed over and over again. This particular time frame that we are in has different events and circumstances that occur daily, that were already written about in the bible. Scientists, even in their efforts to disprove biblical events, have made several discoveries that prove the events happened. The whole tea party thing to me is simply coming together with other people who think that our country is heading in a very socialist direction, and do not want it to happen, and sharing ideas with one another, and remembering what the framework for this country was in the beginning. About the comment on homosexuality clouding voters judgement, the bible specificly says that woman was created as a companion for man, it says that the each represented a half, and only together in the union of marriage would they be whole. It also says that sexual relations between two men or two women is DETESTABLE to God. It is not just one verse, but several, two towns were destroyed for their sexual immorality and perversion of God’s natural order. Today, doctors and scientists will agree that the average lifespan of a homosexual is considerably less than a heterosexual, due to illnesses and disease, and the fact that our bodies were not designed for that. Where do you think aids came from, homosexuality. Now I realize that this will probably offend someone and people will say I am a religious nut, but you know what, that doesn’t matter. Although each of us was created to worship God, he gave us free will to choose. (This is also written in the bible) His direction, or yours. As a believer of God’s word, it is my primary focus to share his love and grace with everyone I meet. After saying that, someone will say that I am judging homosexuals, and that’s not love. I do not judge anyone, we all fall short of God’s glory, we all sin, I am merely doing what he wants me to, telling you his truths. I continually learn everyday that I am nowhere near perfect, but it is our instruction to strive for a sinless life, and when you sin, ask forgiveness and repent, which means to stop and turn away from. I know that if this material does offend you, then chances are you are convicted of sin, or you don’t want to acknowledge your sin and be held accountable, I know that was my attitude when I was lost. People of every race can holler discrimination or that another race’s actions offend them. Gays can have their marches to proclaim their rights and can scream that churches or anyone who doesn’t support them offends them. I think it is about time that we Christians stand up and say that the actions of our government, the media, and the entertainment industry offends us, and more importantly offends our Lord God Almighty. Christians are now the minority people, not black, not white, not hispanic, not any particular race. We are pushed aside and called radicals and fanatics by people who do not realize what they are doing, they just know that they do not want to have accountability for any actions, because if they acknowledge God and his ways, then they will have to acknowledge Satan and his ways and that if there is a right way, then there is a wrong way. No matter who is in office, we should continually pray for them, that they seek God’s direction, and that they make sound and moral choices. The defensive attitude exercised by our current administration whenever one of their actions is called into question is very unsettling to me. The majority of this country is currently blinded. I am a little worried when a man tells you he is going to do something, doesn’t give you all the information on it, how it will affect you, etc., and when he is questioned why, he doesn’t answer, but merely redirects your focus elsewhere. What is really sad is that no one calls our adminstration publicy on instances such as these. I have watched enought speeches and debates to realize that we need to pray without ceasing that this administration be relieved of their blinders and do what is right in the eyes of God. I encourage everyone to listen closely the next time we have a televised speech.

By Ted Gresham

July 4, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

Such intelligent conversation! Not.

These comments might work better if a few of you would use punctuation and paragraphs a little better.

Mr. Richard James, that was very intelligent of you. And American, too!

John, I believe your words are contradictory, maybe?

How many of you who oppose the right wing radicals actually have the guts to do more than rant anonymously?

Raise of hands, please?

By plowboy

July 4, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this

Ted Gresham hit the nail right on the head. These right-wing dead enders are a bunch sore losers (emphasis on loser.)

By obenreizer

July 4, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this

Concernedtaxpayer-

Firstly, I do not believe that most are aware of who voted for what, nor the destructive ramifications are to those who think they are going to be on the receiving end. Both parties are the problem.

(Note: GOHMERT voted AGAINST all bailouts. He has stood his principles since the beginning. KUDOS, Louie.)

To your question: What to do? Of course, the only remedy (short of Texas secession, a favorite among many) is to vote in politicians who will support the founding principles.

OK, the next election is a way’s off—anything I can do now? Yes…and that’s what the Tea Parties. It is at those, and other type events, that people can network, and make the broader case to unknowledgeable. What it accomplishes this: it turns your single vote into 2, or 3, or 23.

The next option is to find a different country (an option on the plate for a serious minority). My favorites: New Zealand and Singapore.

Cowabunga.

By concernedtaxpayer

July 5, 2009 1:25 AM | Link to this

Firstly, I do not believe that most are aware of who voted for what, nor the destructive ramifications are to those who think they are going to be on the receiving end. Both parties are the problem.

First of all working under your premise Both parties are the problem is entirely wrong. you stated in the first sentence what the problem was you do not believe that most are aware who voted for what or the ramifications of such actions. So the voters are the problem. Considering you and your fellow teabaggers are perpetuating that ignorance by deeming the public at large to ignorant to make an informed decision, and in so doing have the primary purpose of converting would be voters to your own opinion much in the same way the Republicans and Democrats have done in the past.

How can you in the same breath speak of both parties being the problem, and then defend one of their members. I have personally taken time out of my day to write all of my congress men and women on some very critical issues. I get the same generated memo run around from all of them. (I’m not going to start an entire other debate by going into detail of what those issues were), but in the end they all voted the same way, the opposite of what the taxpayers had voiced. I am even further unsurprised by the fact the one you choose to defend is Republican. So who is your favorite Democrat? And why is there this need to identify with a party at all if not but to only generate money for a cause.

Secondly, it was extremely wrong of our governor to bring up secession, and it is further wrong of you to do it as if that will make some sort of statement. When the going get rough, Texas get going? is that our new mantra. Are we nothing more than the cowboy rebels the rest of the country paints us out to be. I love my country as much as I love my state and it is wrong to abandon ship now. I doubt very seriously the founding fathers had in mind states just leaving when someone was elected they didn’t like or the rest of their countrymen needed their help.

My vote is my vote, formed singly and based on my experiences. I do not wish to turn my vote into 2 or 20 or 2000 or 2 million. My hope for my fellow Americans is that they will listen and take your opinion into consideration, take the Republicans and the Democratic ideals, as well as their fellow citizens and form their own unbiased opinion on what is best for our country, that they quit dumbing themselves down because of parties leading them to believe they are too ignorant to arrive at their own conclusion.

I will not find another country, whether the ship sinks or swims I will endure for my share of the journey.

I have stated many times on different articles I was against the two party system or any party system, but you seem to only want to accept that is a correct affirmation when it is coming from your own mouth.

To Mr. Gresham, to any conversation with which you think lacks intelligence enough to warrant your time, one suggestion might be rather than lower yourself by hurling insults you simply move on to a thread more worthy of your time. I actually do not just rant anonymously I have my own personal blog that is free to the public as well complete with personal information as well as name. I don’t personally have the 500 million dollars it takes to buy the oval office, nor anyway to generate that sort of cash. I have written my congressman, and short of joining the lady who used to sit on 69 in support of our troops I am not sure what else of any use would do any actual good. Misguided as I believe they may be obenreizer at least did more than hurl accusations and ask rhetorical questions. He did offer his idea of solutions. We are just exercising our right to freedom of speech. If there is a general consensus for wanting me to stop posting on here then I would be more than happy to let it be, and use my time in a forum where discussion is more widely accepted.

By concernedtaxpayer

July 5, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

To cant believe it. My religious beliefs have absolutely no bearing on this article or this discussion. This article and discussion is about a political movement of one group of people to protest another group of people and as such should be left within that realm. I use objectivity and reason to form an opinion based on evidence and fact.

I actually tend to agree more (though not in its entirety) with Mr. Gresham’s opinions than anything that has been presented on behalf of the teaparty, it is his manner of stating them which I believe could use some polishing. This teabag party was no different than the last one, with Republican speakers or if claiming now just a conservative stance they have still maintained heavy ties with Republican officials and speaking on their behalf. There was no objectivity involved with this demonstration whatsoever. There should have been more Democratically inclined speakers to present their side, as well as ordinary taxpaying citizens to bring discussion for all parties involved. Instead it is a platform to promote the abandonment of one’s country and the independence of one’s state, using religion, misguided racism and constitutional rights along with the founding fathers.

Our founding father’s formed a nation and it’s constitution based on the period of time with which they existed. How many women signed the constitution or were even involved in it’s make up? How many people of color were allowed an opinion in the wording of our constitution in it’s original creation? These groups of people were still members and contributed to our society yet were denied a basic right to voice because they were owned or because of their sex widely accepted that they had no mind or opinion other than that of their husbands. And these are the founding father’s your group is trying to promote. As a nation we have grown through war and many hardships out of these prejudices and have a developing respect among our youth to be more accepting and tolerant of their fellow people and make judgements based on ones character and actions not their sex and skin color.

I base my dislikes for our president solely on his performance and policy. I base my dislikes for this teabag group the exact same way. It has nothing to do with God, my religious beliefs, race or sex. It seems to me in reading the discussion boards people utilize inflammatory religion and racist comments to bring about hatred among our citizens, and rather than rise above it too often each side chooses to respond with that same hatred.