PICAYUNE —
Editor:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
These two sentences from our Declaration of Independence identify the proper function of government: to protect the rights of individuals from foreign or domestic aggression. Among these are the right to life, liberty, property ownership, unlimited contracting, travel, etc. Government is given, by the people, the power to tax in order to fund the limited functions specified in our Constitution, which are intended to protect rights and provide for the general welfare of all citizens. The revenue required to fund the legitimate functions of government was intended to be minimal and to be collected through duties, imposts and excises on commercial activities.
Government has no legitimate power or responsibility to take money, by force, from some citizens to provide food, housing, retirement income, education or medical care for other citizens. These are all examples of functions that were historically provided by family, neighbors, communities and churches. By taking over these social functions, government has and is changing the core values of our country. “Social justice” programs have resulted in the majority of Americans wanting government handouts. The next step is to create a majority that needs government for their very existence. At that point kiss American Republicanism goodbye and say hello to Communism.
Joe Knezevich
262 Ripple Creek Dr
Poplarville, MS 39470
Letters
Legitimate government functions and taxation
- Letters
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Palazzo's stand on disaster relief embarrassing
Dear editor,
U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo's recent vote against funding to pay flood insurance claims of Sandy victims should provoke embarrassment and disgust in Mississippians irrespective of individual politics. -
Letter to the Editor
Editor:
I would like to address the problem of unwanted animals being dumped in rural areas within the county. To those animal owners that do not want their animals anymore, for whatever reason; please be responsible and try to find a new home for your animal. -
Letter to the Editor
Never in the history of our nation has a president been reelected who has caused 23 million unemployed, 6 trillion of debt and a certainty that his policies will continue on steroids. Economics 101 would refute these policies. He told his followers to “vote for revenge.”
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We need checks and balances
Dear Editor,
Never in the history of our nation has a president been reelected who has caused 23 million unemployed, 6 trillion of debt and a certainty that his policies will continue on steroids. Economics 101 would refute these policies -
Butler Now contract raises questions
Dear Editor:
The new contract with Butler Snow creates many unanswered questions. First, after pleading poverty before and during the budget hearings, why is it necessary to spend over $450,000 dollars to hire a firm to do what we already pay the supervisors to do? It’s obvious that the taxpayer was the least considered party to this one-sided contract. Once again, the supervisors have validated one of the 5 characteristics of government. “The few who pay taxes are simply a source of revenue to fund the socialist policies of politicians and their politically connected cronies.” -
letter to the editor
Editor;
I had long feared that Obama would be reelected to a 2nd term due to his policies that inordinately benefitted and increased the size of the dependency class -— who would then overwhelmingly vote for him. -
Need to thank Mississippi farmers
Editor:
As a member of the agricultural community that provides food and fiber for the 98% of the population that is not involved in farming, I want to thank all of you for your support of this most vital industry in Mississippi. -
Letter to the Editor
Editor: I had a nightmare that I was in the middle of a presidential election.
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Letter to the Editor
Editor;
Gene Lyons is a master of inneundo and obfuscation as illustrated in his column in the August 30th Item. He starts off by intimating that Mitt Romney lies a lot and then cites 2 probable lies and 1 direct accusation of lying. That’s a total of 3. -
letter to the editor
Editor:
Was the reverse 911 used to warn county residents about the flooding danger. I experienced this first hand at 2:30 a.m. while bringing my wife to work in Picayune. I started to investigate and get the word out to media outlets and the only one to pick up on this was WGNO TV in NOLA. - More Letters Headlines
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Palazzo's stand on disaster relief embarrassing




