Considering Barack Obama says he wants to reduce federal taxes for 95 percent of Americans and place higher taxes on Americans and businesses that make over $250,000, would somebody tell me how all the socialist programs he wants to put in place will be paid for?

It appears to me once you place higher taxes on businesses, all the cost does is roll downhill to the consumer who will pay more for food, gas, electricity and other commodities. Businesses paying higher taxes are not going to create jobs. They will probably reduce them.

The do-nothing Democratic Congress won’t even help people with soaring gas prices and you think if Obama gets to be president it’s going to get better? Good luck. This country doesn’t need a bigger government and Americans who are always looking for a handout probably need to move to some socialist country.

I learned a long time ago that when the majority of the media supports one candidate, something is not right and I haven’t been wrong in 47 years.

If you want a cut of your federal taxes so that you can pay twice as much or more for food, gas, electricity and all other commodities and have a socialist country, where government thinks you are too stupid to control your own lives, vote for Obama. Women out there should think about what the Democratic Party did to Hillary. Is that what they think of the women of their party?

Wilbur F. Ruhl, Vicksburg

Palin not ready for big league

The acceptance speech given by Sarah Palin was based on what she heard someone else say, not really on what she knows. Secondly, the poor darling didn’t write the speech  either. Someone else wrote it for her.

Alaska, where she’s governor, is very, very small compared to the whole United States. She has to really see the big picture. Palin also stated that the war was a “God” task and she also said that she has not thought much about the war. That says a lot. The God I serve doesn’t cause wars, He’s a peacemaker.

I think McCain, had better take another look at whom he has chosen.

Victoria Thomas, Vicksburg

Barbour backs confusion

Mississippians love the power of the ballot box. We like to vote on a long list of candidates for office, including constables and coroners and judges and school superintendents. As a result, we often have a long ballot. This is one reason why state law requires that federal elections must be placed at the head of the ballot.

So the only reason we can conclude that Gov. Haley Barbour and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann chose to put the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican Roger Wicker at the bottom of November’s ballot is perceived partisan advantage. Barbour and Hosemann, both Republicans, have apparently decided that banishing this particular contest to the end of the ballot will confuse enough people to swing this tight election to Wicker. The other senatorial election, that between Thad Cochran and Erik Fleming, will be placed at the top of the ballot with the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Isolating this one federal contest for a seat of great power and importance to all Mississippians — at the bottom of the ballot would be unnecessarily confusing, especially for the elderly, the newly registered and people who have not been informed of the change. It should be reversed on the grounds that it compromises the promise of fair and open elections and interferes with the will of the people — and that should be the first concern of all elected officials.

Lynn Evans, Common Cause, Jackson

Differences indefensible

The Vicksburg Post Aug. 29 article on the sentencing of Timothy Pee for aggravated DUI showed a 13-year sentence with 13 years suspended-zero prison time to serve. Pee was nearly praised for being such a good young man perfect for advertising “Don’t Drink and Drive” in the community service he will do.

This article referenced Brandy Wallace and the 25 years she received with only five suspended for her Aggravated DUI sentence. The assistant district attorney was quoted as saying Brandy left the scene of her crime. According to the statements by officers first on scene, Brandy was found kneeling at her victim’s side, crying.

With much concern for Brandy, I would like to ask for a retraction and apology from the assistant DA. If this is his way to justify an usually harsh sentence, I challenge him to prove that Brandy left the scene. Brandy is trying desperately to deal with a 20-year sentence for a mistake she made during a severe personal crisis. She immediately began recovery from her alcohol addiction after her release on bail.

Timothy Pee and Brandy Wallace were scheduled to plead guilty the same day, but the Post reported  Timothy’s plea was delayed due to adjustment of plea agreement. Brandy was never offered a plea agreement. Her only motive in her plea was to save the Parrette family further pain of a trial. She stood and took full responsibility for her actions knowing the possibility of a long sentence, but trusting that justice would be fair. She tearfully apologized to the Parrette family for their loss and affirmed her own guilt. The assistant may be “comfortable” with a 20-year difference between Timothy’s and Brandy’s cases, but Brandy Wallace, her family and her friends are deeply hurt and confused.

Lindsay Webb, Pearl

Keep funeral fee in context

Regarding the Sept. 7 letter in The Vicksburg Post about the refusal of free use of City Auditorium for the funeral of Assistant Police Chief Walter Cole, let me say first of all this is not an endorsement of Mayor Laurence Leyens or state Rep. George Flaggs or to knock Mayor Leyens or Rep. Flaggs.

It’s geared to candidates, voters and The Vicksburg Post. Please do not make the unsolved death of Mr. Cole a campaign issue, or use it to launch a campaign in next year’s city election. Let’s have some respect for the dead and let Mr. Cole rest in peace.

The letter said Rep. Flaggs paid the fee. If asked I would have given money also. I’ll be the first to say that don’t mean I should be mayor. If anyone had something to say, I would like it to be that it was a godly or Christian thing to do. When it comes to politics, Mr. Cole’s name should be off limits.

Tommie F. Rawlings, Vicksburg

Coaches set examples

When Vicksburg High School defeated Warren Central on Sept. 5, I noticed that neither Warren Central coach Curtis Brewer nor any members of his team came across the field to congratulate the Vicksburg team and coaches for the great victory they had just achieved.

Warren Central has a very outstanding record in the 28 years they have played against Vicksburg in this longstanding rivalry. The Vicksburg team always congratulated Warren Central after defeats. So where’s the sportsmanship? Where is the class and character of Warren Central? I’m sure that former coaches Lum Wright and Robert Morgan would have proved themselves to be class acts by praising Vicksburg High School in a well-fought battle.

I’d like to say to Coach Brewer that he has the responsibility to set an example for the young men under his guidance on the football field and that he should have displayed true sportsmanship in defeat.

Glen Palmer, Vicksburg

No sportsmanship shown

To all the fans who attended the Vicksburg vs. Warren Central game Sept. 5: Did you stay to the end and witness the victory by our defense? Wow, what a great job from the team and staff.

I cannot say the same for Warren Central. Their team and staff walked off the field and into the locker room. They showed no sportsmanship. That was sorry and they should be embarrassed, not by the loss but by their attitude. I am a Gator fan and Warren Central beat us several years in a row. We took it standing tall. So when you see one of our players, tip your hats off to them. They really deserve it.

Lula Butler, Vicksburg

Class change is a marathon

What can you do in 4 minutes?

Paint your fingernails? Cook a hard boiled egg? Sing the National Anthem? Maybe. My concerns, however, deal with our schools.

At Vicksburg Junior High School, there are students going from one class in a trailer to another class inside the building. Not only inside, but upstairs. All while carrying every book they own because of no available lockers. Then, there is the fact that this is no clear path. A student must maneuver his way through crowded hallways and stairwells like a football player headed to the end zone.

There are no teachers out there to call a technical or throw a flag on the play saying, “Keep off the stairs.” No security or hall monitors run interference and clear the path.

If a student is sent to the office five or six times in the first few weeks of school for being one or two minutes late for the same class, shouldn’t someone look into why this is happening?  Or at least ask the student what is the problem with the consistent tardiness?

Should this be an issue that the Vicksburg-Warren School District addresses? I would like to challenge any principal, teacher or administrator to take this test. Go to the trailers and when the bell rings, gather a book bag full of textbooks, papers, supplies, jackets, umbrella, etc. With your best physical ability try to make it to the building, through the crowded halls and up the maze of students gathered on the stairs. Go to your classroom and get in your assigned desk within four minutes.  If you are unable to do this — please take your seat with the others in after-school detention.

Theresa Williams, Vicksburg

Potter is not your pal

Recently I read a letter in the TV Plus supplement where a reader spoke up against Harry Potter. As a Christian, I wish to state that the Bible clearly tells us to have nothing to do with witchcraft. I would like to warn people who are crazy about Harry Potter.

I am praying for the salvation of everyone involved with Harry Potter some way or another. I’ve also sent e-mails to some of them to tell them that God loves them and that I will keep on praying for their salvation.

Etienne Marais, Vicksburg

Retail sector lagging

I am a native of Vicksburg and I visit at least once a year and truly enjoy my visits home.

Much has changed since I left so many years ago. Vicksburg has grown tremendously and much has been done to beautify the city.

On my last visit to Vicksburg I had the pleasure of having dinner with my girlfriends at Rusty’s, located on the lower end of Washington Street. The meal was absolutely delicious. The owner, to whom I introduced myself, was wonderful as well as was his entire staff.

My friends took me on a tour of many residential neighborhoods where the vast majority of the properties were well-kept and beautiful. Residents seem to have pride in their properties and it shows.

The streets were largely litter free. Obviously, the street department is doing its job.

However, there is something that concerns me. With Vicksburg being the size it is and with all the changes that have taken place over the years, I am amazed that there is not a full-scale mall or a movie theater in the city. I did visit Pemberton Square but was limited in my shopping experience. Many people told me that they shop in Jackson or Monroe because there is really not a variety of dress shops, shoe stores and such in Vicksburg.

I can only imagine the revenue being received by these other cities and the inconvenience it is to Vicksburg residents who have to go elsewhere to shop.

Asking for a movie theater maybe out of the question because new technology has become a substitute. However, there are many people who still enjoy an evening out at the movies.

Ella Bessie Bank-Jones, Pittsburgh, Pa.