Printed letters, August 5, 2012

By Staff
Sunday, August 5, 2012

As I sat in line last Monday, waiting to enter the Chick-fil-A parking lot, I was reminded of how history records various movements initiated by the single action of an individual.

Last year we witnessed how the Arab Spring was given birth by a lone fruit merchant in Tunisia who set himself on fire in the town square.

Mohamed Bouazizi took such action in outrage over confiscation of his wares by a municipal official and her aides. His act encouraged other Arab countries to stand up for their rights, resulting in the overthrow of the governments in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and now possibly Syria.

I believe most thinking people, regardless of their political persuasion, would agree that the upcoming presidential election is perhaps the most important one in our lifetime, both as individuals and for our nation.

It would appear that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee reawakened a sleeping giant in his call for America to support the right of Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A, to voice his personal opposition to same-sex marriage.

The mayors of Chicago and Boston condemned him for doing so and stated that Chick-fil-A was not welcomed in their towns.

Furthermore, Rahm Emanual, mayor of Chicago, stated that Cathy’s values do not reflect Chicago’s values. So be it.

On Nov. 6, we may look back upon Aug. 1 as the day the balance scales tilted back toward the values most Americans support, the main one at issue being our right to free speech without being threatened or intimidated by government officials.

I am proud of Cathy and all those who demonstrated their support for our right to free speech. I hope and pray that historians will be able to acknowledge this as the day Americans began taking back our country.

GLENN T. KIMBROUGH  

Grand Junction

 

 

Chick-fil-A supportis an embarrassment

I am embarrassed to live in a community that turns out in such force to support a business whose management has exhibited blatant prejudice against those who would like to have the same privileges every citizen of the United States should enjoy. Chick-fil-A’s statement is protected by the right to free speech, but it is hateful, nonetheless.

Chick-fil-A has a sign in front of its business that says “Love All, Serve All.” It should practice what it preaches.

PEGGY SHAW

Grand Junction

 

Increased minimum wage cuts restaurant staffs

In 2007, Colorado raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour. Tipped employees’ wages went from $2.13 to $3.83 per hour.

The state adjusts the wage every year, based on Denver-Boulder economic numbers that have little to do with our part of the state. Now the wage is $7.64 and $4.34 for tipped employees.

I state these numbers to make a point. Has anyone noticed what this did to the restaurant industry? It’s similar to jobs that have been shipped overseas.

Notice how restaurants combatted the higher costs. They completely eliminated server jobs. Quick-serve restaurants are popping up everywhere.

You stand in line and pay a bit less, but there is no server staff. While full-serve restaurants can have 40 to 80 employees, quick-serve restaurants have 15 to 25. Seldom do you see a new full-service restaurant open anymore.

Businesses find a way to get around higher wages by cutting back or eliminating positions. So, who wins when the government gets involved?

I find it funny that people who complain about shipping jobs overseas still shop at Wal-Mart. If all you want is cheap, this is what you get.

SCOTT HOWARD

Grand Junction

 

TABOR is essential in controlling state spending

Alert! The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is under renewed attack.

The Bill of Rights of the Colorado Constitution states that all political power is vested in and derived from the people. The people have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves.

TABOR was passed in 1992. It requires voter approval of revenue increases that exceed an index created by combining inflation and population increases.

Citizens’ rights under the Constitution are the fundamental principle of government. Government rights are those rights granted to it by the people. Not the other way around.

Thanks to TABOR, Colorado has so far managed to evade the financial catastrophes of other states caused by uncontrolled government spending.

At a time of high unemployment and great uncertainty, with federal government spending out of control to the tune of nearly $16 trillion, Colorado citizens should rise up en masse to defend their Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

BROOKS POWELL

Grand Junction