Celebrations Planned Elsewhere
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:03 p.m., June 24, 2008
Updated 01:03 p.m., June 24, 2008
Emporia will be surrounded by fireworks displays during the holiday weekend, though it will have no formally sponsored display of its own.
“The City of Emporia dropped it from their budget, so the closest one’s going to be Lebo, and I think that I’ll be shootin’ that one,” said Bernie Toso, certified pyrotechnician and member of the Optimist Club that co-sponsored the annual holiday display.
Toso has been the shooter for the displays the past several years.
The July 4th celebration developed by the Optimists included live bands, food vendors and activities for youngsters before the nighttime display.
Even though Emporia won’t have a public display, other towns and counties will.
The “Osage County Fireworks Festival” is a county-wide event scheduled to begin with youth activities and a craft show from 4 to 6 p.m. at Eisenhower State Park at Melvern Lake. The festival will be held on Saturday, July 5.
Other activities at Eisenhower include a moon walk, duck pond, bean-bag toss, watermelon race, balloon toss, tie-dying T-shirts, frog and turtle races and more.
A band, Big Woody, will perform from 6 p.m. to dark, when the fireworks display will begin. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce; smoked pork and brisket will be served by Rosemont Farms, and polish sausage, brats, chips, beverages and funnel cakes will be available.
No personal fireworks will be allowed in the park.
At least four Coffey County towns — Burlington, New Strawn, Lebo, and Gridley — have planned celebrations.
Gridley’s festivities, “Discovering Energy — Our Fate,” will start with a biscuits and gravy breakfast served between 7 and 9 a.m. The meal will be prepared and served by parents of the senior class. Parents of the sophomore class will sell water, pop, and Gatorade beginning at 9 a.m., and a German dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community building.
Other activities and events scheduled are:
One-mile fun run, 7:30 a.m.; youth fishing derby, 16 and under, 7 to 9 a.m. at Mitch Williamson’s pond, $1 entry fee; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., bow shoot, Gridley City Lake, $8 entry fee; arts and crafts booths beginning at 8 a.m.; “2 on 2” basketball, 8 a.m.; flea market beginning at 8:30 a.m.; horseshoe pitch, 9 a.m.; rides with Gary Hoops Carnival, 9 a.m.; kids’ games, 9:30 a.m., Jones City Park; Cactus Shack food booth, 9:30 until evening, Jones Park; music and fun, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jones Park; children’s carnival, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Jones Park, sponsored by the Class of 2009; miniature horse rides, Trembly Tiny Trails, 11 a.m.; skating exhibition, 2:30 p.m., Jones Park; auto and cycle show awards, 3 p.m.; children’s money hunt, ages 3 to 12, 3:30 p.m.; kids’ spray-down, 4 to 4:30 p.m., Gridley Fire Department; Background Barbeque sampling and talent show, 4 p.m.; home-made ice cream sponsored by the Skateboard Committee, 5 p.m.; Controlled Insanity Motorcycles, 6 p.m.; parade, 7 p.m., beginning at the corner of Third and Henley; backseat driving, 8:15 p.m., teams of 2, $5 entry fee; fireworks at dusk.
People who want more information about competing in the Backyard Barbeque may call Greg Bashaw, 836-5448; David Schneider, 836-2060; or Lynn Osburn, 836-2411.
For information about other activities call Jeanne Haas, coordinator, at 364-5893.
Public displays also are scheduled at dark in Kelley Park in Burlington and the city park in New Strawn.
Other communities in the area may be planning celebrations that will be announced later.
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
I just need to say that this is a sad day in Emporia when we can't even have a fireworks display. I hope more people will shoot them off in their driveways that way I will have something to watch.
June 24, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Esuhornets and Observation: Thank you! I thought I was alone in thinking the 4th of July is going to be a major letdown this year with no city fireworkds display and individual fireworks being banned by our stuffy city "leaders". I hope EVERYONE has a big display in their front yard on the 4th! I LOVE the sound of fireworks on that day. July 4th without fireworks is like Halloween without candy and Christmas without presents.
June 24, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kcfan (anonymous) says...
LOL totally agree
June 24, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
What a joke! Look at all those itsy bitsy towns that have big celebrations and Emporia can't do it? Pathetic. We talk about keeping people around, but what is Emporia offering to do that?
I realize that we are past the 14 day prior to July 4th deadline, but if we got enough money donated, you think the city would allow it?
I mean it's not like the 4th of July is one of the most important days for our country to celebrate or anything. That was said sarcastically. Shoot, I've seen more activities in Emporia for Cinco de Mayo than what is being offered for the 4th of July.
June 24, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyse_guy (anonymous) says...
Im starting to think Zimmerman and his band of communist are here setting their own rules without a vote from us THE PEOPLE,comes here cuts jobs cuts wages NOW WE CANT CELABRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY.What a town to be proud of THANK U ZIMMERMAN.Maybe we can change the name of our town to LITTLE RUSSIA.Well you can drive 20 miles to watch some fireworks hhhmmm maybe we sould just all move 20 miles .SELL THE COURTHOUSE SO WE CAN HAVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY.I didnt vote for it anyway.I dont think anybody did ,I think they just said everybody voted it in.HHHMMM maybe that$5000 raise he gave himself was our firewoks money.
June 24, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyse_guy (anonymous) says...
Was the parade canceled 2?
June 24, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
The small town of Council Grove puts on one hec of a display. Lets face it, the 10 minute show we get here wont be missed but maybe we should be able to use the fair grounds to shoot ours off???? It would be a much better affair. LOL!
June 24, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyse_guy (anonymous) says...
Oh hell yeah DOWN TOWN PROUD lets just tell everybody where they can go spend there money for the forth.Everybody complained about people telling somebody to go spend the nite at some hotel outa town,then the dam GAZZETE is telling everyone what every town around us is doing so go spend your money somewhere else and have a good time.Why our city commission acts like groundhogs and go hide their heads in the dirt for the fourth.
June 24, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jaredfromsubway (anonymous) says...
Looks like this year's display will be sponsored by Taco Bell of Emporia. All I have is a foot long.
Eat Fresh
June 24, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyse_guy (anonymous) says...
It would be nice to hear that some of these budget cuts will be used for the city employees who have been waiting patiently for their raises. Cmon Zimmerman pay our people what they deserve. Think about the employees that are busting their butts short handed. Stop making excuses while cheating them out of what they deserve.
June 24, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
************************************************NOTICE**************************************************
It is hereby proclaimed by decree of the autocratic and omnipotent Emporia City Commission that the national holiday formerly known as "Independence Day" will no longer be recognized or celebrated within the Emporia city limits. We, the duly elected officials sworn to protect all citizens, feel this holiday is of no redeeming value and is dangerous to all citizens and property since tradition dictates it be celebrated with the detonation of deadly explosive devices such as snakes, sparklers, and firecrackers.
If you feel compelled to celebrate this antiquated holiday, please take your family and expendable income to one of the surrounding communities to have your fun, honor your nation, and spend your money. We don't do The Fourth of July here in Emporia and don't tolerate those who do.
Thank you for understanding and complying.
Your friends and protectors, The Emporia City Commission
June 24, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sowhat (anonymous) says...
Just another nail in the coffin. Glad I'm taking my family to live in a new town, that has a fireworks display.
June 24, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I heard this rumor but I guess it really is true.
I'm pretty disappointed--my kids were going to be there for that weekend since my husband & I have to go out of town--and my mom was planning to take them to see this.
What a huge bummer.
I hope they don't cancel the fair, too. Oh, that's a county thing, not a city thing, right? Somehow, the city will get their hands on that, too, I'm sure (if they don't already).
I hope the Emporia voters take notice of this on the next few election days.
:(
Melissa
June 24, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
hottopics
Council Grove canceled there's also this year, they couldn't shoot them off from the riverwalk anymore and didn't try to find a new place like when they used to shoot them off of the dam.
As for Emporia the way our city runs things it's no wonder it is going down the tubes. Zimmerman can get a raise after being here a year but the city employee's that have been working underpaid for way to long still get the shaft.
The city preaches to spend money in Emporia but then goes and removes events that draw people from other communities and the money they were spending. Now that money and tax revenue will goto other towns, not to mention all the money from Emporia resident are now going to spend in other surrounding city's to watch fireworks and enjoy the day that is supposed to be to celebrate our independence.
It's sad to see a City that shows so much to Veteran's Day turn around and not support Independence Day. Maybe if the city managed money better we could have past events instead of build a sidewalk to no where that hasn't even been completed and looks like crap and clock tower that is a big joke to this town.
June 24, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdoorguy (anonymous) says...
Hey, does anyone remember how much the city was spending to clean up graffitti at the skate park!? Suppose that money would have been better spent on a 4th of July show? I'm sure the city could have also bought one less car or truck from our local commisioner, um I mean car dealer, and put on a show!!
June 24, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
I guess since I can't shoot off fireworks or have any fireworks to watch we should all just go outside and shoot our guns straight up in the air and see what happens. I think that is the way that people used to celebrate before fireworks.
June 24, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksgirl (anonymous) says...
Whats the fourth of July without fireworks. The display was a huge community gathering. It's pretty sad that they had to cut the fireworks display. It's Independence day and our own city cannot celebrate it. We honor veterans, but we can't honor them on Independence day too? Sometimes, I wonder what this town is coming too? All these small towns can manage to come up with a little money to shoot off fireworks but a town twice there size cannot? Why didn't we get a say in this? Isn't this our community? It's annoying how a few people get to decide things for everyone else. It's going to be a sad night in Emporia without out the Booms of celebration caused by fireworks.
June 24, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Emporia- 1953- Veteran's Day Observance.
Emporia- 2008- Death of Independence Day.
What a legacy.Have a Happy Hamaramacincokwanzaa.
June 25, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Perhaps the citizens of Emporia need to declare independence from their current government officials. That would be an "Independence Day" worthy of celebration. It seems, from what I see in the above comments, that the people have spoken; but are the commissioners listening? I have an uneasy feeling that they are just laughing at us and saying to themselves, "Stupid people. Don't they realize WE are in charge and will do what WE want and what WE think is best for them, regardless of their wishes?" I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I thought I was wrong once but it turned out I was mistaken. : )
June 25, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CassieJo (anonymous) says...
I was curious if there was going to be a parade for the 4th and called the Chamber of Commerce. They said "NO" there was not going to be a parade because of budget cutting!!!! How much does a parade cost the city?????? This is getting ridiculous!!!!!
June 25, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CassieJo (anonymous) says...
Maybe the city officials could start cutting budgets by resetting their thermostats. Have you been in any of city offices??? They are cold!!! I'm sure they could change the thermostat settings and save some money.
June 25, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smith_ron (anonymous) says...
Funny how a town that takes such pride in all veterans can't find a way to celebrate our independence.
June 25, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
This is just a big joke the city is becoming completely worthless. The more I sit he and read this crap the more I get fired up. On the fourth my house will be the one glowing from all the fireworks going off and all the police cars trying to give me tickets.
June 25, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kcfan (anonymous) says...
You guys are crazy! The law is the law. You have to obey laws or this society would be completly wild. Laws are put in place to protect. The ban on fireworks was in place long before Zimmerman came to town they were just never really enforced. And honestly if you look at the story again thats pretty much what the PD is saying will happen again. That's there story and thier sticking to it!
The city was never fully responsible for the "city" display. It was organized, and funded primarily by the Jaycees with some assistance from the city. The Jaycees made it pretty public that they were no longer going to be able to continue and that if this was something that the citizens - yes you- wanted, someone else needed to pick it up. Only now 8 days before the 4th do you want to bitch? Get real!
from the way the back roads around Emporia look on the 5th in years past it seems the majority of Emporia went outside city limits already! Everyone else was already at the lake.
Emporia as a city has never really done much to celebrate the 4th. As a matter of fact not much is ever organized by the city to support any holidays. Most parades, Festivals, and other activities are typically privately sponsored such as the Mexican fiesta, Fair, St. Patty days Parade and such.
So the Jaycees are not putting on a show this year.Quit your whining, suck it up and find something else to do that day.
June 25, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CassieJo (anonymous) says...
Posted by kcfan (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand the potential risk of injury and fire hazard, but come on. Kids can’t use sparklers or ground snakes? As with anything common sense would tell me that I wouldn’t send my kids out the door to blow things up, but having good old SUPERVISED fun is harmless. I agree that items such as bottle rockets and large night works should be banned especially in city limits, but let the kids have some fun. If you don’t like the “rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air” close your windows and put in the ear plugs and cuddle Fido so he’s not scarred. It’s ONE night
ROFLMAO!!!!
Quit your whining, suck it up and find something else to do that day.
June 25, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
The fireworks display wasn't in this year's budget. We have to pay for more practical projects, like the arches at the Emporia "Free" Fair entrances.
June 25, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Penny (anonymous) says...
Nuts--the fair is county, not city.
I thought you all had more imagination than to think the only way to celebrate independence is to blow things up!
Topeka's public display is paid for through private and corporate sponsorship, not tax dollars. I personally appreciate not having my tax dollars blown up in a matter of minutes. I believe a lot of you who are complaining about this are also the ones who complain about wasted tax dollars. What could be more wasteful than blowing up thousands of dollars of fireworks? Of course some of you will say courthouse/clock/blah blah blah. At least they give you something to complain about every single day. Imagine what would happen if you had nothing to complain about.
Put your time/energy/money where your mouth is, start fund-raising and organizing now for next year's event. Most communities (large or small) who have celebrations do so thanks to the hard work of individuals, civic groups and corporate sponsorships.
June 25, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
Already working on it Penny.
Does anyone remember the Twin Rivers Festival that we used to have in Emporia? I say it's time to bring that back in some sort of Independence Day/4th of July event. It's going to take a lot of time, energy, money and volunteers, so keep that in mind when they start fund raising and asking for help.
June 25, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I heard a rumor . . . so keep your eyes/ears open for a possible 4th of July special at the Aquatic Center that people might be interested in this year during the day.
June 25, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CassieJo (anonymous) says...
Would that rumor be that we can swim for 1/2 price on the 4th? Doubtful thats going to keep people in emporia for the day!
June 25, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
It's nice to see how grateful people are for little things that people try to do for others.
I'm not sure anyone should try to take on the 4th of July task because it seems like whatever you do/put together, somebody will whine/complain. Might just be a waste of time and energy.
June 25, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
What ever happened to the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air. I hope when I wake up on the 5th, our flag is still there. If it isn't, the city of Emporia will surly be to blame. I guess the only lights in the sky on the fourth will be coming form police cars. For shame, for shame.
June 26, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
Speaking of the flag, has anyone seen the item that resembles our flag, but where the stars should be is replaced by a peace sign at one of the rental houses near the old Sigma Pi house on Merchant between 15th and 18th? Would that be considered, not defacing our flag, but something along those lines? Someone is obviously trying to make a statement, I just wonder what it is. Is that how a person chooses to oppose war now - by flying an imitation flag with a peace sign? Seems pretty disrespectful in my opinion.
June 26, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Penny (anonymous) says...
I love the idea of a huge festival/celebration of our nation's independence. I used to absolutely love the Twin River's Festival years ago. I'm encouraged to hear that something of that nature may be in the works for next year. Those kind of events take massive planning, time, energy and money so I hope everyone's passion for this cause remains high. I will certainly support those efforts!
June 26, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Amen, Penny. I would be happy to invest time and money to bring such a great event to fruition. I envision displays, booths, crafts fair, music, talent show, food vendors, games, costumes, and fireworks. What fun that would be for locals and visitors alike.
June 26, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
BJ & Penny - that is exactly what I was envisioning. I'm going to list some ideas we've brainstormed so far and everybody feel free to list your input as far as new ideas or let us know if one doesn't look good. I should preface this by saying I make no promises that this will happen for next year - this is just an idea - whether it happens or not is not up to me as one person could not put all this together.
Possible morning activities (7am - noon):
Fun Run/Walk event
Sand or mud volleyball tournament
Booths and activities that would possibly include:
face painting
canoe races
Water balloon challenge
Putting contest
Basketball shootout contest
kite building competition
Bake Sale (groups could use a booth for their fundraiser)
Art show/display/competition
talent show for different age groups
crafts
possibly a parade where kids decorate their bicycles
dunk tank with city manager/commissioners to fund the fireworks
noon time (11-2)
Free hot dogs at the Aquatic center
Evening (5-9ish):
Street dance on commercial
Could do a battle of the bands contest for the music or have a DJ
4th of July favorite recipe cookoff
Some kind of Auction
Then close that down and do the Fireworks display over at the Fairgrounds.
What do you guys think? Does anyone remember what activities the Twin Rivers Festival Buttons got you free admission to? Was thinking about something similar.
June 26, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Penny (anonymous) says...
Emporialifer, you're on fire! For some reason I don't remember a lot of details about Twin Rivers Festival other than it was loads of fun; here is what I do recall:
*It was held on ESU campus, which was great with all the shade trees.
*You bought a Festival button which admitted you on campus for most activities, I remember the kids craft area, huge art show, craft booths, food booths.
*There was a stage set-up outside Plumb Hall where various local groups performed throughout the day. In the evening there was a concert/dance in the same area, people brought lawn chairs. This may have been a ticketed event that cost extra, not sure anymore.
*Paddle boats on Wooster Lake, again may have cost extra.
*Seems like there were various contests during the day, like "Zinger eating contest", etc.
*Inside the Union, the model train folks had their creations set up.
That's about as good as my memory gets. I think Emporia needs a festival of this type, we also need a celebration of our independence, great idea to combine the two. It could become a huge event with a positive economic impact. Let's do it!
June 27, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
wow..somebody finally got some good ideas....see..this is what community spirit is all about. kudos to penny and lifer...now, the rest of us need to get behind them and not stop pushing until the thing is reality next year.
oh, and maybe ESU will find a way, or the jones foundation, to chip in a little.
hint hint...put the fireworks on the ESU campus....less running around to do and easier to control. open up the football stadium for seating and shoot them off from south of the HPER building.
June 27, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dodgeboy (anonymous) says...
I just moved here from a small town in Northern Minnesota, and am embarrassed to say I live in Emporia. The little town I lived in was 315 people and have a half hour fireworks display every year. And not to let anyone shoot off fireworks in the city limits is totally ridiculous. Then to take the joy of sparklers away from kids is totally absurd. I am now a registered voter in Lyon county, I can't wait to vote so I can try to make a difference with our city's bureaucrats. I think the people of Emporia should clean house in the city's government.
June 30, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
The 2009 Budget Meeting was held by the City Commission ON MONDAY NIGHT, June 30, 7 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 1314 Trailridge. The commission wanted public input regarding priorities.
Hope you were there to tell them about your fireworks priorities.
July 1, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I just heard on KVOE that a whopping 9 people were there at that city commission budget meeting. Nine!!!
July 1, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
dodgeboy: As a person who also moved here from another town, I understand your frustration and totally agree with your comments. The people who have lived here all their lives have never known any different and think this is a nice, friendly little city. That may be the case if you were born here, grew up here, went to high school here, and have lived here since, but if you move here from elsewhere you find Emporia to be very cliquish, class-oriented, backward and boring. It seems a few of "big fish in a small pond" make the rules and run the show and everyone else is content to let that happen. This ban on fireworks within the city limits on Independence Day, while our nation is at war no less, is the last straw. I understand why you are embarrassed to live here.
July 2, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Penny (anonymous) says...
BJ: You've cautioned me against stereotyping before, I'd respectfully suggest you take your own advice. I haven't lived here all my life, did not go to high school here and I think Emporia is a nice friendly little city. Not perfect, by any means, but not the armpit of the nation either. I despise large cities, find them impersonal, noisy and polluted. I have also lived in much smaller towns where the "cliques" you describe were far, far worse. Bottom line for us all, I guess, is to choose to be happy where we are, or change whatever it is that keeps us from being happy.
July 3, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
boomer46 (anonymous) says...
BJ: I agree with you 100%. Couldn't have said it better.
July 3, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Nice try, Penny, but I wasn't stereotyping anyone or anything. I was merely stating fact. This is by far the smallest town I have lived in, and the most cliquish and backward. I can't change it so I just grin & bear it.
July 3, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Imagine living in a city where you felt safe walking home at ten in the
evening — or even at two in the morning.
Imagine your children going to schools that respect your values; where
teachers concentrate on reading, writing, adding, subtracting, and other academic
basics; and where no one would dare teach your child a philosophy that’s alien to
you.
Imagine that your total tax load — income tax, sales tax, property tax and
other taxes — was only half what you’re paying now. You could move into a
better home, finance a more comfortable retirement, send your children to the
private school of your choice, support your favorite cause or charity in a way that
would make a significant difference, or save up to go into business for yourself.
With much lower taxes, your family could live well on the income of just
one spouse — so the other parent could choose to stay home and raise your
children in the values you believe, rather than leaving their moral training to
strangers.
Is This a Dream?
I’m not describing Utopia. A free society wouldn’t be perfect. But as
recently as 1950, it was real. The crime rate was only one fifth of what it is
today.
Most American school children learned to read, write, and do math
competently — and they left school able to make their way in the world.
Government was only one fifth the size it is today.
Scandal, schools turn out illiterates, and taxes drive both parents into the job
market. The “American dream” has become a mirage for too many of us.
And to make matters worse, government has grown too large and too bold.
It routinely tramples on our property and our liberties.
July 3, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
This is a far cry from what the founding fathers had in mind — a
government instituted among men to secure the blessings of life, liberty, and
property.
What Changed?
No plague descended upon America to halt progress and plunge us into a
world of violent crime, poor education, and big government.
So how did it happen? What transformed America from the land of the free
into the land of high taxes — from the land of prosperity into the land of debt
and bankruptcy — from the land of opportunity to the land of quotas and
lawsuits — from the land of free enterprise to the land of regulations, mandates,
and government inspectors?
The decline of America has been caused by politicians and reformers who
believe that you aren’t competent to run your own life, that they know better how to spend the money you’ve earned, that they understand which products you
should be allowed to buy and what wages and job benefits are suitable for you.
To run your life for you, they have created a government that fails at
everything it undertakes, but wants to undertake everything:
· The government can’t deliver the mail on time, but wants to
take your life in its hands by controlling your health care.
· The government can’t keep the peace in Washington, D.C., but
it sends troops on “peacekeeping missions” to Somalia and
Haiti — to save those countries from being run by the wrong
thugs.
July 3, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Government schools don’t have the money and time to teach
your children how to read well — yet they always find the
resources to teach their favorite social theories, no matter how
distressing they are to parents.
Wherever we look, government fails at what we want, and succeeds only in
finding new ways to interfere with our lives.
Once upon a time government budgets were balanced, our money was
sound, the cities were safe, and the taxes of federal, state, and local governments
combined took less than 10% of our income.
Where did it all go wrong? Wasn’t government supposed to be our servant,
rather than our master? Wasn’t government supposed to help only those who
can’t help themselves — rather than benefiting politicians, lobbyists, and social
reformers?
What happened to the idea that government should do for the people only
what they cannot do for themselves?
I’m am saddened by what American is becoming and here we are right in the middle of it.
So much for Independence Day!
July 3, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Wow. Well said, LifeGoesOn. Thank you.
July 3, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rustbuster (anonymous) says...
LifeGoesOn: You make some very valid statements, but you have some holes in your theory. Times have changed since the 50's. When I was a kid I spent most of the day outside playing only coming in to eat and go to bed and the occasional bathroom break. In todays society the kids would rather stay inside watch t.v, play playstation, or get on the internet. Laziness has started to make a big impact on society. For example, remember the lawsuit that a customer filed against McDonalds when he/she spilled hot coffee in their lap. This person knew the coffee was going to be hot, but because McDonalds didn't put on the lid and cup that, "Caution contents is hot" this person was awarded a large amount of money. People are trying to find ways to get money so they don't have to work anymore. This isn't the governments fault. We hear all the time about how the environment is falling apart. Just listen to Al Gore, do you think finding better ways to clean our air and reduce air polution is free. For every action there is a equal and opposite reaction. Let's say the population in Emporia was 30,000 twenty years ago and now it is 60,000. Street conditions lasted longer because there wasn't as many people driving. Now you double the amount of people driving and the city streets don't last as long. So repairs have to be made more often, in return more money has to be spent to make this happen. So how do they get this money to keep our streets driveable? By raising taxes!!!! Just think we could be like China and have the one child rule so the population doesn't go up. As far as education, when I was in school everyone spoke english and the teacher could move right along in class. Now the teachers can't move right along because there are kids in the class that don't even understand what is being said. Are you suggesting that the teacher leave these kids behind, so the ones that do understand can keep moving right along? One last thought, everyone in the U.S government was elected to his/her position by the citizens of the cities, states, and country. Maybe you might want to start blaming your fellow citizens for voting for the wrong person voted into office. That is how this process is started in the first place. I guess it is eaiser to blame the people that are in office instead of blaming those that put them in office in the first place.
July 5, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
William Allen White wrote an article in the Gazette on August 15, 1896 entitled "What's The Matter With Kansas?" I would encourage the editorial staff at the Gazette to publish it again. I think it is very relevant to today and certainly reflects the many values that seem to appear in this forum. I think one particular passage is relevant at this time.
"...Because we have become poorer and ornerier all and meaner than a spavined, distempered mule, we, the people of Kansas, propose to kick; we don't care to build up, we wish to tear down..."
And there, dear fellow contributors is the crux of the entire problem of this community. It's time to stop the tearing down, both verbally and physically and get busy. What the "state" cannot provide we need to reach back to our New England roots of self sufficiency and provide for ourselves and our neighbors...and yes that means more taxes. We need to have a positive attitude and we need to move forward and stop complaining about court houses, clock towers and all the other issues contained in these pages and pages of rantings. As Mr. White concluded sarcastically :
"What we need is not the respect of our fellow men, but the chance to get something for nothing."
July 5, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
In Response to Rustbuster: I fail to see the point you are trying to make. You say more people means we need to "Raise Taxes!!!"?
this sounds like a "knee-jerk liberal response,
Let's look at fiscal 2006. The U.S. Treasury Department reports that 2.4 Trillion dollars were received for fiscal year 2006,
Let's start with that 2.4 Trillion dollars. That's $2,400,000,000,000. Lot of zeroes, hmm? The U.S. population just kicked over 300 million this year, so that works out to $8,000 in federal taxes for every man, woman, and child in the United States. I didn't pay $8K in federal taxes last year, how about you? And in fact, when we consider that the actual pool of taxpayers is much smaller than the 300 million people living here, round about 132.8 million people according to the IRS, so that means our average is really about eighteen thousand dollars per taxpayer. And no, I don' think many taxpayers actually put out that much, either. So what's going on? It may seem at first that the high-wage taxpayers are really getting socked, and they are, but really, when it's all sorted out, what happens at the federal level is similar to what happens at the state, county, and city levels; it's business where a lot of that money is made, and in short, if a business is healthy and successful, it pays more in taxes.
With me so far or am I going to fast for you?
So it's in government's interest for businesses in general to succeed. So how does that work, exactly? It begins with the fact that taxes can only be applied to money which is used. That is, mechanisms like Sales Tax and Excise Taxes and so on, can only be applied when money is used in commerce. Employment taxes and withholding can only be done when employees are actually hired and paid. And since so many taxes are proportional to the level of commerce, the more business a company does, the more taxes it pays.
So what does raising or lowering taxes have to do with increasing revenues? Well, where do you think the money that comes into a business is originated? It comes from the consumers, of course. If the consumers feel times are tight and uncertain, of course they will not be interested in spending money, it's just too risky, which attitude naturally slows down the economy. And when the economy slows down, so does tax revenue. Now, when on the other hand taxes are lowered, this provides taxpayers with more money, and a lot of that gets spent, which revs up the economy ... and in spite of the lower rate, increases the amount of money which comes in to the government. It's the same reason why stores put products on sale; the lower price is made up and more by the jump in volume sales if the manager has planned it right. Basic economics, really.
July 5, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Sorry, folks, for the delay in moving this thread to a forum. But here it is:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
July 7, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )