Monday, February 8, 2010

The American Dream is a thing of the past

Elections are just around the corner. Here we are with two corrupt political parties to choose from.

Both the Republican and Democratic parties are controlled by rich special interests. Both parties reek with corruption. The entire Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and others are all part of our "oil grab" by the multinational oil companies. The only money-making companies on the stock market are those profiteering from the deaths of our troops, who are fighting wars for the rich.

The bank bailouts only cost the poor man his savings. The rich managed to keep theirs. Both parties were responsible for the blunders that took place in this scam.

Now health care costs are skyrocketing. The people we sent to Washington to represent us, have been corrupted to the extent that big business has been able to create, through lobbying, a bill that neither party likes.

Neither party is willing to step forward to stop the polluters that are burning fossil fuels, thereby affecting everyone's health.

Big business holds the reins that control the Senate and House ponies. They feed those ponies well.

How can we ever end this insane two-party system that is destroying our great country?

Through the years, as I have traveled to other countries, I have heard the wishes of people who live in those foreign lands that they could live in our great country. You don't hear that anymore. People who live in Europe realize that fair wages and health care, plus one-month vacations yearly, are the important things in their lives.

For those of us who have to work, the American Dream is over thanks to the greed of this two-party system.

Joshua Reid

Big Pine Key

Mohawk crew makes this old Coastie proud

To the commanding office and crew of the Mohawk, welcome home and Bravo Zulu. Your actions, dedication and can-do under conditions that most of us will never endure are in fact to this fourth of five generations of Harrises to serve in the Coast Guard in the highest traditions of the Coast Guard.

My nephew was also in Haiti, as he is part of a C-130 flight crew out of [Elizabeth] City, [N.C.], and I am extremely as proud of him as this old Coastie and fireman is of the crew of the Mohawk.

To the commanding officer of the Mohawk: Sir, you have one hell of a crew which shows great leadership. I, too, was a Coast Guard EMT. I have spent my whole life serving our country and community. The actions of Petty Officer Elias Gomez, as well as the crewmen who assisted him, shows me angels do walk among us -- in this case they came in a 270-foot vessel full of professional, can-do compassion for their fellow man.

As an ex-Coastie, and now retired member of the fire service, I fully understand the job you did. May God keep you and watch over the cutter Mohawk and her crew wherever she sails. To Cmdr. Hendrickson, as I sit here tonight in the safety of my home, you and your crew's actions have made me even prouder to once have been, as generations of my family before me, part of the Coast Guard.

Howard C. Harris

Naval Air Station Key West

Thanks for helping with Tot Swap event

Please allow me to brag about this wonderful community. A while back I got a call from Carla O'Connor, a new mom and teacher at Horace O'Bryant [Middle] School. She had an idea for a Tot Swap event that would help families trade their unused kids' clothing and items with other families' items, while also raising money to support Healthy Start. She said she would take care of everything. She did.

The Tot Swap was solely orchestrated by Carla and her husband, Mike, owner of the Scuba Shack. Over 40 families participated, raising more than $250 for Healthy Start.

I would like to thank Carla and Mike; Carrie, Cindy and Lee of Hurricane Hole; Emil LaVache from the Sheriff's Office for providing child safety kits and coloring books; Tara Smith for offering car seat inspections; and Clear Channel for advertising. ...

Arianna Nesbitt, CEO

Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition

Key West