Our elected representative, Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana’s 6th District, had an opportunity to assure the liberty of thousands of his constituents. Rather than championing liberty, Pence decided instead to support his political party by casting a NO vote on HBR 3200 (health care).

The Oct. 22 tragic propane truck accident, which bottled up traffic on both Interstate 465 and Interstate 69 for hours, makes a strong case for renewing consideration of a commerce connector that would route truck traffic around cities.

How many times have we heard it said, when referring to plant closings in particular, “these jobs are never coming back?” Since the 1970s, corporate America has been sending our jobs abroad in search of cheaper labor.

I recently received my bill from Anderson City Utilities and was shocked to find an advertisement for a church function in the envelope. I was appalled.

Thanks to Anderson Community Schools board of directors, a request for a monument in honor of Madison Heights High School will finally be placed on the current location of Anderson High School. As a past student of Madison Heights, I remember the pride that we students felt for our lovely new surroundings when our school doors opened in September of 1956.

Months ago I began putting together a family tree on ancestry.com and surprisingly met distant relatives on my Smith and Wininger sides of the family. But I never expected to find what I found.
Deborah Winegar, a cousin of mine related to me through my grandfather’s sister, found me online and told me all sorts of ancient family drama.

I just read the editorial about the city giving too many paid days off from work. Before you folks start bad-mouthing the city workers, let’s get a few facts straight first. Those days off came at a cost to the city workers. I know because I was one.

I wonder about politicians telling us about other countries being corrupt, when they probably wonder whether our government is one of the most corrupt by allowing the lobbyist culture we have to operate unimpeded as it does.

It’s nice to know that the Anderson School Board is still passing out those half truths that they love to do so well.

I canceled my health insurance some time back because:
1. I haven’t needed it, ever.

The House of Representatives committed a Saturday night massacre on American public opinion last weekend by passing a health care reform bill at 11:15 p.m. that will inflict permanent damage on our health care system and the economy.

The endorsements by the American Association of Retired Persons, the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society sends a clear signal that most Americans want health care reform.

Move over, Michele Bachmann, Republican Virginia Fox is attempting to be the most ridiculous member of Congress. Fox said that the health care bill will “kill seniors” and just the other day said the health care bill is “more dangerous to Americans than all the terrorists.”

All across the county and throughout Indiana, cities are facing significant budget cuts. As a municipality’s budget decreases the task of providing essential services to citizens becomes very daunting.

This is my “continued letter,” about Walter Williams sailing from Venice to Athens while doing the bidding of Big Business and denying the influence of John Locke on our Declaration and Constitution. Regarding the ballot box, Williams is wrong. Politicians we elect frequently don’t do what they tell us they are going to do.

In a recent article about the Madison County Council meeting on the county option income tax, there were comments made that I would like to clear up for your readers and the taxpayers of Madison County. It was said that I made the statement, “the tax is $4 per month.” This was my statement: “Police and fire are asking for $4 a month.”

You may know where you were on Nov. 22, 1963, when you first learned that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. More of you know where you were on Sept. 11, 2001, when our country was struck by terrorism. How many of you know where you were on Nov. 9, 1989?

The family of James L. Smith would like to send special thanks to all who took time to set up the fundraiser to benefit him in his time of need. The event was a huge success due, in part, to so many individuals and merchants who donated items. This was a blessing.

Now that the county income tax council has overwhelmingly voted to increase our income tax, I and many other taxpayers feel it’s time to adopt an “opt-out” clause. Taxpayers of Madison County don’t mind paying their fair share for services and public safety.

I will be the first to admit that I have not been highly educated; however, I have taken the time and trouble to think about all the fussing that has gone on and this is my opinion. The USA was not founded on a natural border nor by clan control.

I would like to ask The Herald Bulletin readers a few questions. Do you believe in polls? TV news and radio talk show hosts refer to polls on a daily basis. They say polls indicate that President Barack Obama’s approval rating is around 51 percent; approval for the proposed health care reform is 35 percent and only about 40 percent of Americans believe Congress is doing a good job

I really disagree with your editorial on Oct. 31 concerning the county option income tax. I think you are naming names and placing blame on the wrong individuals. The main person to blame on this situation would be your “financial-savvy” governor, Mr. Mitch Daniels.

Why do right-wingers continue to lie about what’s in the health care bill? Based on the Oct. 29 Reader’s Viewpoint by Bob Ivy, I would guess that Ivy is a “tea bagger.” Speaking of tea baggers, most of them are biased and will believe anything negative about the president and the Democratic Party.

Soroptimist International of Anderson held a successful fundraising dinner at Garfield’s Restaurant on Oct. 28. We want to thank Jana Erli and her staff at Garfield’s for their assistance with this project. They are always very helpful and friendly.

I write to you as a longtime Madison County resident, raising a family in the area I adore with the people I love.

Once again the old neocon stuff about the Trilateral Commission, new world order, etc., has come up.

I would like to thank our firefighters and mention their bravery. A week and a half ago, I was awakened by the sound of sirens and the odor of smoke. Moments later, a fireman came through my door, put me on his back and carried me down the smoke-filled stairway on Alhambra Drive.

As a resident of Anderson and Madison County, I am asking for your support in trying to help me keep my job at Sallie Mae, and just as important, to help keep jobs in Indiana. Pending legislation is aiming to move all student lending functions under the federal government, which would in turn eliminate approximately 20,000 jobs nationwide.

Madison County Council on Monday approved its budget for 2010, but only after bowing to wishes of one local official — and then refusing to hear from others. County Prosecutor Tom Broderick came before the council and made his case for the reinstatement of a deputy prosecutor position that had been cut from the budget plan.

Since October was breast cancer awareness month, I thought it prudent to let pet owners know that animals can also have breast cancer. My cat, friend and companion, is 16 years old. Her name is Oprah. She has had regular check-ups and has had breast cancer twice.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, Charity’s Angels drew a name from its raffle for a wood sculpture. Due to sudden illness, Dan Pierce, who had generously donated a chain saw carving to be raffled off, was unable to complete the sculpture. His good friend and chain saw carving buddy, David Polk, stepped up to the plate and gave our winner, Terry M., a carved wooden bear.

Since we’re slashing Anderson’s budget, I’d like to suggest we start with Anderson City Council members’ expensive salaries, and make this a volunteer council. We have educated citizens who would be willing to volunteer (including myself).The present council members are each making over $13,000 annually (for working two hours each month).

It has come to my attention recently that many well intentioned, credible organizations and agencies may not have thought about the implications when planning an event, program or fundraiser. There have been many examples of agencies that work with children, support children, promote family values or collaborate with other agencies, hosting events where alcohol and tobacco use is allowed and accepted.

On behalf of families that will benefit by receiving a Habitat House, Habitat for Humanity of Madison County would like to thank everyone who participated in the annual Texas Roadhouse/T.A. Smith Distributing Golf Outing fundraising event. special thanks goes to Steve and Derek Madinger and their committee for organizing the outing; to all of the volunteers and to the Anderson Country Club for hosting the tournament.

I’ve been listening to a lot of people talking against politicians passing blame from one or the other. Neither party is perfect nor blameless. President Bush did suspend the writ of habeas corpus, but was it unconstitutional? Article l, section 9 states:

Federal trade treaties passed into law by both Republicans and Democrats have created the economic hardship in Anderson, not property tax reform. For the last 18 months state Sen. Tim Lanane, who voted for House Bill 1001, has rallied local officials to denounce property tax reform and claim an impending budget crisis.

I first read an article regarding the “Trilateral Commission” in the mid 1970s. Since then, I’ve periodically heard this organization mentioned. My first thought was that this is a secret organization designed to establish a one-world government. It’s not secret, but simply not discussed in the press.

When I read the recent story in The Herald Bulletin about the Anderson Board of Public Works contract and found buried in it three little lines about city employees getting 16 paid holidays and two personal days, I just about lost it, or thought, surely, this was a huge typo.

I want to start by saying I was president of the Madison County Taxpayers group for five years. I spent many hours attending council meetings and school board meetings. I saw elected officials vote for and against the best interests of Madison County taxpayers.

I'm astounded that the Madison County Health Department has decided to hold a “first come, first served” H1N1 clinic. There is a shortage of vaccine, and that’s understandable, but why hold a clinic where those not at high risk can receive vaccinations before those who really need them?

When columnist and professor Walter Williams, a right-wing scholar, sails on the Crystal Serenity from Venice to Athens, in the lap of luxury provided by some of America’s biggest corporations, and speaks of economic liberty, his words diminish our freedom but increases the freedom of Big Business.