Taxes: Glue holding nation together
A few months ago, “Republicans” had a “tea party” to complain about taxes. Never mind that the Boston Tea Party was a revolt on paying taxes to the king of England. I find it amusing that people would travel on taxpayer-funded roads, to a taxpayer-funded community park, and complain about paying taxes.
Taxes are the glue that holds this country together. I wonder, what goods and services these people would have us do without? We already know they’re OK with having paved roads and community parks. Do they enjoy having a standing army?
Ask them about the war in Iraq. I’m sure most would say, “We have to win.” They don’t want to pay taxes though. George W. Bush was a fine president but they don’t want to pay for his war.
In 1917, the top tax bracket in the United States was 67 percent and it didn’t drop below 70 percent until 1981. In 1945, the top rate was 94 percent. Today it is 35 percent and has been since 2003. The top bracket income is more than $370,000. After taxes, they still make more than $200,000.
These anti-tax people complain about the growing deficit. They say, “What about our kids? We’re leaving them a mountain of debt.”
Their answer: Tax cuts.
In this country’s infancy, the federal government did not have the power to tax. Subsequently, they couldn’t afford a government, much less an army. If people don’t want to pay taxes, that’s fine. They should not, however, get to use anything that is provided for by tax dollars.
This country has given many people opportunity to make a lot of money. I don’t know how anyone thinks they can make a lot of money without contributing to the country which made that possible.
Frank A. McCoy, Flatwoods
Dad helped many in town he loved
My dad, Elmer E. Renfroe, grew up in Ashland and loved the town, the people and everything about the area. He was not a singer, dancer, movie star nor someone that you would see in the movies or TV. He was just a small man with a great big heart.
When a little girl, he’d take me on his milk route and show me the surrounding area, meeting all kinds of people. He was the kindest, most giving person I knew. He donated his time to the children and people in the Tri-State.
He helped so many people he never knew who had paid a utility bill, left groceries on their doorstep, and saw their children had milk and bread to eat. He was always giving, not asking for anything in return.
I can remember all the city vehicles he towed in for free and how he donated gas to the city when he owned the Sunoco station by Bluegrass. He always put God first in his life, then his family, but sometimes there was always a need for someone else that came before us. He’d say God would take care of our needs and we needed to help others.
When he died there were so many people with stories of what he had done for them. I tried to raise my kids that way, and they are raising their children the same way.
What wonderful stories we have of growing up in Ashland with a man that truly loved everybody. He owned Renfroe’s Sunoco, Bluegrass Ryder Truck Rental, and BJ Towing for over 30 years. He has been gone seven years and people still take of him and how he was a great man.
Carlotta Renfroe Schave, Lexington
Sen. Baucus’ ‘deal’ is good news
I’m writing because I fear the recent headline — Baucus, White House in deal with drug industry — may have given some readers a wrong impression. People need to know why the deal Sen. Max Baucus brokered with the pharmaceutical industry is good news for millions of Americans who take prescription drugs.
The American Lung Association of Kentucky welcomes and commends all efforts — such as this agreement between the pharmaceutical industry and the White House and Senate Finance Committee — to help lower prescription drug costs.
Kentucky’s seniors stand to receive big help paying for their prescriptions as drug makers plan to contribute $80 billion over the next decade to improve Medicare drug benefits. The Medicare Part D coverage gap, or “doughnut hole,” will be significantly reduced through this beneficial program, which will offer seniors even more support.
In 2007, about 3.4 million beneficiaries reached the coverage gap. Because America’s biopharmaceutical research companies recognize the burden this gap places on some Medicare beneficiaries, as part of their commitment to comprehensive health care reform, they have voluntarily agreed to support legislation to help close this gap in coverage.
This is a positive step in helping millions of our nation’s seniors close the gap in health care coverage. This makes it really good news indeed for those with lung disease, and other chronic or serious illness that must be treated by prescription medications.
Menisa Marshall, Communications Director, American Lung Association of Kentucky
1994 All-Stars most successful ever
I’ve enjoyed the recent articles about the Central Park diamond restoration and the many talented individuals and special teams that have played in Central Park and our area.
Coincidently, this is the 15th anniversary of the most successful group of youngsters to ever wear Ashland across their chest. In 1994 the Ashland Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Stars advanced all the way to the World Series, the first and still only Ashland team to claim that feat at any age or level of organized baseball played nationwide.
I was fortunate to help coach that team, managed by Jim Fantuzzo, who is one of the smartest baseball people around. That team’s accomplishments included championships of the CK tournament, local district, state of Kentucky, and then Ohio Valley Region. They bested nine other teams from seven states, ultimately winning four games in 24 hours to get to the World Series.
We had supportive parents throughout endless practices, travel and extended hotel stays, tremendous financial support from our local community — virtually all small individual donations — as well as great coverage from The Independent, including Rocky Stanley traveling to Massachusetts to cover the team.
I always hoped that the team’s success would help serve as one more reference point for other area kids and adult volunteers in creating their goals. Our group of regular kids accomplished something very special through simple hard work, focus, dedication, playing as a team, and striving for success. It's sad that the overwhelming majority of current youngsters, from T-ball to Tomcat, probably know nothing about the most successful team in the very long, storied history of Ashland baseball.
I’ve great memories from that summer, so on this anniversary I just wanted to pause and say thanks to that group along with congratulations one more time.
Steve Harvey, Ashland
Wesleyan church observing 100th
Did you marry your sweetheart at Ashland Heights Wesleyan Church? Or were you or your children on the cradle roll? Did you or your children attand vacation Bible school there many years ago? Perhaps your were saved at Ashalnd Heights and later baptized.
Known as “The Heights,” AHWC is proudly celebrating 100 years of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in our city. Currently located at the corner of Sellars and Main streets, we will hold our 100-year celebration on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Many people have come trhough our doors over the years and we are looking for folks who have special memories and/or memorabilia that they would like to share in our jubilation.
Submission can be made by calling Jim Pope at (606) 324-0675, Buck Mullins at (606) 2363 or Pastor Gordon Tilley at (606) 325-2176.
Jim Pope, Buck Mullins and Gordon Tilley, Anniversary Committe, Ashland Heights Wesleyan
