It is very difficult to compare natural gas rates across the country, probably because the various energy companies want it that way, but with a quick search on the Internet I discovered that companies in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Alaska are charging their residential customers from $10 to $13 dollars per 1,000 cubic feet.

At the present time, the City of Vicksburg charges its citizens north of $16 per 1,000 cubic feet, including their “adjustment.” This is 25 percent to 60 percent more than these states, states that probably have higher pipeline transportation costs than Mississippi.

The methods used by the city in buying natural gas and setting its price have not (to my knowledge) been publicly divulged. A bit of transparency would be refreshing. Just as reassuring would be confirmation from the city that any dollars collected in excess of the cost of natural gas are returned to the customers, and not diverted to other uses.

The spot price for wholesale natural gas is at present about $4.50 per 1,000 cubic feet, near the lowest price on record this century.

 Malcolm Allred

Vicksburg

A return to rule of law

Since President Obama’s order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and transfer prisoners into the federal criminal system, there has been politically motivated outcry claiming that our courts are unable to deal with national security issues and decrying the ability of the prison system to hold criminals in “our own backyards.”

Our justice system has deficiencies; however, it has proved repeatedly that it is able to handle sensitive national security issues without compromising fundamental rights. Additionally,  the federal prison system has demonstrated its ability to hold convicted terrorists, foreign or domestic, without risk to the population at large.

Closing Guantanamo and returning to American values of adherence to law is long overdue.

David M. Clark

Vicksburg

The uninformed are prey

If Thomas Jefferson could text-message from his resting place, what would be his first message regarding education? “OMG! Didn’t you understand my warning?”

 Jefferson expressed deep concerns regarding education, especially that education’s purpose must include having an informed citizenry who can recognize tyranny in any form. Today, he would be shocked by our education system that ignores that purpose and the concepts of self-reliance, as it moves closer to socialism that instills mediocrity and dependence. Is socialism not a form of tyranny against those principles for which our forefathers fought and died?

Informed citizens, having broader perspectives, usually make thoughtful political decisions. Those less informed are often guided by one socially appealing “band wagon” idea. This concept is so fundamental that during massive immigrations of the 1920s-1930s education was focused on assimilation, which included language, civics, religion, history and responsibility.  In the 1940s, the “Greatest Generation” emerged and defeated tyranny. Military people bravely continue this vigilance because they understand freedom’s virtue. They are also literate, which is America’s strongest defense against tyranny.

Today, too many students leave school without effective reading skills. Many drop out, have babies, and create more illiteracy. Illiteracy grows, and answers socialism’s jaded and insidious call.

Education focus must move from political gamesmanship and return to learning. Until a student can read, analyze and comprehend, the total education focus must be on learning how to read. Reading opens learning doors that might save us from ourselves. Jefferson could rest easy again, confident that we understand.

Will Clark

Diamondhead

Get tougher on developers

I agree completely with Mr. Paul Ingram in his letter to the editor printed Feb. 1. I personally can vouch for the need of solving and correcting the problem of county subdivision developers’ lack of compliance with the county subdivision ordinance.

I moved from Ridgeland two years ago, bought the house I am now in and found to my sorrow the street I live on has not had the finishing top applied. The supervisors cannot accept the street until it is finished and approved. Therefore, the supervisors won’t erect a street sign until it is accepted.

It is in Falcon Ridge subdivision, but few people can find it because of that omission. A well-known businessman owns the street, so I presume money is no object.

Nell F. Webster

Vicksburg

Stop health-care scams

All of us are aware of the dire financial straits our country is in, sure to be compounded by shortfalls in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

I think I have stumbled upon the biggest of our problems: We are not exercising sufficient scrutiny of our medical benefits statements.

Recently I received one and was stunned to see charges of $5,475 paid for home health when no benefit approaching that cost had been provided. Another statement showed a charge for a medical device attachment I was provided without asking for. It should have been about $25, but was $650.

I was totally shocked and started a frustrating series of phone calls and inquiries that were met with delays, redirection and disinterest. I did finally receive complaint forms.

Both our government and we are being ripped off, big time. Multiply my case by several million and you realize that this scam, fraud and partnership in crime that has been going on for years compounds into billions and billions lost every year.

If Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security would work in concert with each other in a program of serious oversight and investigate all the health companies, hospitals, pharmacies and health suppliers, they could save billions instantly by disallowing future participation by violators, period.

George M. Mitchell

Vicksburg

Groundwork done at WC

I am proud to see the parents of Warren Central baseball having such a positive outlook. Coach Josh Abraham is a great guy and a very good baseball coach. I am the coach at Vicksburg High School and he has my full support.

I was a little concerned about the letter to the editor printed Feb. 1 about the past and the present of WC Baseball. I will say this: Former coach Randy Broome is the hardest-working guy I know and that program was his life for a long period of time. I would say that no one person has spent more hours in upgrading the facilities than he has or has spent more time trying to improve players as he did. For that, Coach Broome should be thanked.

I hope the letter was taken out of context. It was quite discouraging to me, because I have seen the work that has been done over the past decade.

I would like to personally wish the Vikings and Coach Abraham a season of great success! I hope they win them all — but two.

To look forward to the future you must respect the past.

Jamie Creel

Vicksburg

What about the athletes?

I see that our president has decreed that financial institutions receiving bail-out assistance will be limited to a maximum $500,000 salary for their senior executives.

While we are on the subject of class envy and economic resentment, and doing something about it, I have always thought that professional athletes and entertainers receiving multimillion-dollar incomes were overpaid.

Suppose the Chicago Bears or the New York Yankees or the Dallas Maverick organizations received substantial public assistance for stadium construction, VIP boxes, parking lots, etc.  I think many municipalities have pledged certain taxes to these projects as a way to avoid the franchises being moved to other cities.

Would this suggest that having received public assistance, they should not be able to pay their players more than some reasonable limit, such as maybe $1 million per year?

This is a reasonable analogy, isn’t it?

William W. Watson

St. Joseph