Opinion
Thrift is good for us and the government
Go ahead and save.
It’s OK.
The country will survive. In fact, over the long run, we’ll all be better off.
Thrift is a long-term choice individuals can make and that city, county, state and federal governments can benefit from. When the private sector saves, it gathers the capital needed to start and manage businesses. When government saves, the country discovers its best hedge against future economic crises. An America re-learning the value of saving holds down the deficit and provides itself its own nest egg so that it borrows less from other countries.
Polls are beginning to show that Americans are growing nervous about the amount of spending generated from Washington today. The skittishness is not limited to President Obama’s policies: recently, the House of Representatives voted itself an 8 percent increase in members’ office expenses (allowances were $580 million in 2008, $609 million this year).
Before victory in World War II propelled the United States to unheard-of prosperity, this capitalist society embraced thrift as a virtue. People tended to spend only on what they needed; there was little thought of keeping up with the Joneses.
But the 1950s changed all that. Suddenly, new and shiny goods flooded the market, the advertising age took hold, and America was transformed into a society where “consumerism” ruled. Almost overnight, as families moved from the fringes into the new middle class, it wasn’t good enough just to buy an item – it had to be traded in every year for the newest model.
That kind of consumerist society still exists. But whereas government bodies like the U.S. House add extravagance, more of our citizens are cutting back now, becoming more determined to spend their money more carefully. Many of them are like the shopper interviewed on network news last week, who promised she’d continue to watch her pennies even after the recession eases.
It isn’t only those who’ve lost jobs or have been laid off taking up the cause of thrift. It’s as if consumerism itself is taking a back seat to a healthy foresightedness.
Will we continue to think this way when the economy recovers? Perhaps we’re like the proverbial boatman who, about to drown, vows to God that he will turn over a new leaf if only the Almighty would intervene and save him – then, when the crisis passes, he reverts to his old self.
We will see. As for Washington, however, it’s impossible to revert to anything if it refuses to even make the vow.
— The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.
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Come meet Ashley Woolard Saturday
The First Congressional District is ready for a change. A change in leadership, a change in priorities, and a change in attitudes.
The last Republican to represent the First District was Walter Pool in 1883. Our stagnant advancement under the direction of the Democrats is evident that a change is needed. We need jobs and we need businesses to provide those jobs.
G. K. Butterfield is our representative in Washington. It is his duty to represent all members of his district. The people who are struggling to take care of their families, support their churches, and expect the government to represent them are ignored. How has Butterfield benefited his constituents?
He voted to destroy the best health care system in the world, and voted for a bill that he had never read that will cost the taxpayers trillions of dollars. He voted to use taxpayer money to perform abortions in the healthcare bill.
He voted for Cap and Trade that will destroy millions of jobs at a time we need them most. This bill will drive more businesses out of the country. He was appointed to the Helsinki Committee to adopt the U. N. Global standards of environmental policies.
He voted for finance reform that will further restrict businesses and make it more difficult to maintain job growth.
Butterfield is loyal to Nancy Pelosi, and she has appointed him to several important committees. One of which is the House Committee of Standards of Official Conduct. t is their job to censor fellow members for misconduct, but when Charles Rangel was examined by the committee for lying about his taxes he gave Butterfield a thousand-dollar donation and the charges went away.
Ashley Woolard is challenging Butterfield for the right to represent the First District. Mr. Woolard is optimistic that he can defeat Butterfield in November. However, he is realistic and realizes that he needs help. He needs volunteers to get his message to every eligible voter, because every vote is important, but above all he needs money. It will take a lot of money to put a Republican in Washington for the first time in 127 years.
I am sure everyone knows who Butterfield is, but how many of you know Ashley Woolard? If you haven’t met this young man, we invite you to join an Ashley Woolard for Congress meet and greet on Saturday, July 31, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Macclesfield Community Center, N.C. 124 and Fourth Street. This will also be a chance to donate to the campaign and purchase barbequed chicken plates for dinner.
Don Harrell
Macclesfield -
She doesn’t like traps for cats
I live in Tarboro and some of my neighbors have put out traps for cats. These cats have been here since I have lived here.
We have all kinds of animals here running here and they look good here.
I am unhappy about the way people do things.
What can we do about this?
DEBBIE OWENS
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