LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It's Government

Intrusion Or Not

John Boyle's simplistic and hyper-partisan view of the world is that Democrats are evil and Republicans are responsible for everything good. He makes the absurd assertion that the Democratic Party deserves no credit for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I think that even he would concede that President John F. Kennedy, whose administration first put forth the bill, was a Democrat, as was his successor, Lyndon Johnson.

In the House, Democrats voted 153 to 91 for the bill. Republicans voted 136 to 35 for it. In the Senate, Dems voted 46-22 in favor. Repubs were 27-6 in favor. The split was not between Democrats and Republicans, but between North and South. Of the 91 Dem votes against the bill in the House, 87 were from the old Confederate states. The 10 southern Repubs voted unanimously against it. In the Senate, only one of the 21 southern Dems voted for the bill. The lone southern Republican voted against it.

The later Republican southern strategy is well known. Mr. Boyle might want to research the career of, for example, Strom Thurmond to see how segregationists moved to the GOP. As Paul Krugman notes, national politics is as it is because southern whites started voting Republican. Having lived through the era, I can guarantee you that the party switch was a backlash against civil rights.

Mr. Boyle states that I am "fine" with the southern Democrats who opposed civil rights laws. That isn't true. But I view them in the context of their contributions and limits. That is, after all, how we view the Founding Fathers, all of whom were complicit in human slavery.

Mr. Boyle blames Democrats for abortion. But polls show that 75 percent of the public is in favor of keeping abortion legal. Most people see that the choice is not between legal abortion and no abortion. It is between legal and illegal abortion. Does Boyle want to see police SWAT teams raid clinics and hospitals? Would he have grand juries investigate every miscarriage? A ban on abortion would be about as effective as the War on Drugs.

If Mr. Boyle really wants to cut the number of abortions, I would expect him to support the widespread availability of birth control and a social welfare system that helps people raise children. Does he?

Colorado was first state to legalize abortion. In 1967, Republican Gov. John Low signed the bill into law. In 1967, Gov. Ronald Reagan signed California's law legalizing abortion. In 1970, Republican Gov. Nelson Rockefeller signed New York's law repealing its ban on abortion. By the time of Roe v. Wade, 31 states, many of which were controlled by Republicans, had legalized abortion.

The issue is not between Democrats and Republicans. It is between those who favor massive government intrusion into people's personal lives and those who don't.

The nation would be better off if people like Mr. Boyle would sometimes think in terms other than Democrat vs. Republican and liberal vs. conservative. Reality is a little more complex than that.

Dallas Dunlap

Brooksville

Keeping Happy The New Year

The New Year has barely passed, yet for the most part, it appears many people have already resigned themselves to the reality of returning to the routine of their jobs and the daily chores of maintaining their lives and homes. Whether anyone has made resolutions for 2008 and taken it upon themselves to honor and follow through on them is a personal choice of respect. I've long given myself the luxury of bypassing such time-tested failures. My actions speak louder than false promises.

Prior to the beginning of the holiday season at Thanksgiving, many displayed a sense of despair, perhaps unable to hide the economic hardships that most of us experience due to unrealized homeowner insurance premiums and the degradation of the housing market; too many residents rely on construction income to make ends meet. Perhaps the primary cause of downcast, glum faces was the deadline of paying their property and school taxes, Dec. 31. The installment plan can delay the financial responsibility, but it doesn't change the total amount due.

It is well known that this is also the time of year when emotions run high as we center our thoughts on loved ones who are no longer a part of our lives. The passing of years makes little difference. I prefer to give grace for the memories and contributions of those who have provided love and friendship through the times of my life. Even those who have challenged my faith in man have a special place in my subconscious. Their actions have also impacted my person - without them I would be somewhat other than I am today.

I noticed an immediate, positive change of moods after Black Friday. I suspect the spirit of gift giving afforded a reprieve from the gloom and stresses of the season, but many appeared to soon falter. Another spark of merriness came as the Christmas Day approached and continued through New Year festivities.

It's the following days and weeks that bring about the blues. Although there may be a feeling of rebirth on that first day of the year, the realities of life can once again dampen the prospects of prosperity.

As I make my necessary shopping trips, I find a sense of pleasure in continuing the spirit of the new year through January. A simple offering of a "Happy New Year" to store attendants and fellow consumers after the days of retrospect have passed may greet me with a positive response. Not everyone may quite accept, or understand, my demonstration of compassion and goodwill, but that's OK; it's those who return a smile or show appreciation for my efforts that make my days a little brighter. I won't place judgment on anyone.

Have a nice day and a year of happiness.

Ron Rae

Spring Hill

Being Able To Read

The Fine Print

Yeppers, size does matter!

I have found a way to be able to read your columns without fretting over the size of the font; something you might want to share with your other readers. I can click on "print" and a new window will appear that has a much larger font, enabling me to read the articles with much ease.

Might want to pass this along for the other seniors who have a difficult time reading the articles as they are.

Connie Keen

Spring Hill