Letters to the Editor

• Graham would be wise to listen to his critics
  U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has been censured by yet a third South Carolina county Republican Party. His response was that it was the work of fringe elements in the party. Are we to understand that those who disagree with him are part of a fringe element not rising to the same level of knowledge, experience and wisdom as Graham?

• Backpacks for Haiti a grass-roots initiative
  In your Jan. 30 story "Local churches, schools send hope to Haiti," you mentioned our Project Haiti Children's Backpacks under the Vanlandingham Rotary Club heading. We want to clarify that the project is not affiliated with any organization, but is a grass-roots movement, and there is much more to the story.

• Do not delay fixing an unsafe S.C. 170
  I have experienced deplorable road conditions on S.C. 170 extending from the U.S. 278 intersection to the roundabout at S.C. 46.

• Lawmakers falling short on tobacco tax increase
  Smoking tobacco kills people. Smoking kills smokers. Smokers can kill people who live with them.

• Marshland Road evokes memory of potholes past
  A smile came to my face as I was driving on Marshland Road recently. I couldn't help but reminisce.

• People need more answers on Sembler
  I have understood that the proposed Sembler Co. project has been in the works for many years and understand the concept of creating jobs by "meeting retail consumer demand." If the developer is saying, "I can't build without special tax incentives that other retailers don't have," I believe he really is saying: "I am not sure the demand is there, but, if you give me money I will try it."

• Long-term interests fall to short-term party gains
  After reading the Jan. 30 story, "Obama blasts GOP over views on reform," I am struck by the unity of the Republicans in unanimously opposing nearly every proposal by the Democrats.

• Basketball 'one-on-one' would be improvement
  Recently, the newly elected Republican senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, was quoted as saying he would like to settle his differences with President Barack Obama with a little "one-on-one" on the basketball court.

• Why build fire station if homes aren't there?
  I drive by the Tradition Hilton Head project about once a week. I keep searching for all the homes on both sides of U.S. 278 that might be served by a fire station -- new or otherwise. Certainly, the developer hoped to build numerous homes when the agreement with Hardeeville initially was signed. However, times are difficult, and there are some 30 houses built on all those acres.

• Historian Zinn taught us to see all people
  We pay tribute to the late historian, teacher, filmmaker, writer and activist Howard Zinn, who died Jan. 27. Zinn taught young people to rethink how we look at and understand the history of our country through his book, "A People's History of the U.S.," and a TV movie version of his companion book, "Voices of A People's History." Both portrayed the history of slavery, poverty and civil rights.

• Voters have obligation to do their homework
  A recent letter writer railed against the results of a U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the First Amendment of our Constitution.

• Keep property tax relief; close sales tax loopholes
  Our newspaper publishes frequent editorials on the Property Reform Act of 2006 (Act 388). It suggests that to reform taxes in South Carolina, Act 388 must be revisited. Homeowners should be reminded of two points.

• Lobby for the children who face abuse crisis
  At a time when the public debate is focused on health care, one epidemic that America is not discussing, but should, is child-abuse fatalities.

• Congress must act on health care reform
  The average cost of a family health care plan in the U.S. is $13,375, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.

• State of the Union shows Obama in state of denial
  On Jan. 27, people across the nation tuned in to watch the State of the Union address to see whether President Barack Obama heard the message from Massachusetts voters. Like me, many were disappointed. It was more of the same empty promises, angry rhetoric, partisan jibes and blame for George W. Bush.

• Look to Massachusetts for health care example
  Now that the political dust has settled on the Democratic loss of a U.S. Senate seat, it is interesting to look at the statistics of that election and voters' motivations.

• Letters, debate benefit from objective rhetoric
  There's a group I refer to as "The Birch Bunch," a dozen or so people who write regularly attacking Democrats and moderate Republicans. Under former President George W. Bush, their letters were directed at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and filled with Obama warnings. Since Obama's inauguration, they've been relentless. They correctly warn of out-of-control spending, but I don't recall letters from them attacking Bush for never balancing a budget and adding $5 trillion to the national debt.

• Island mall offers lesson on moving quickly to help
  Hilton Head Island's Town Council has stated that we need to refurbish and update some of the island businesses and facilities to keep them vital and appealing for both local and tourist use. This is a far-sighted objective and should be pursued.

• Whatever he calls it, Bauer's claim is trash
  U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas, once admitted, "You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate." Andre Bauer continues to betray this same low standard for the office of South Carolina lieutenant governor.

• Seventh-graders seek memories from natives
  The "Lowcountry Living" students at Beaufort Middle School would like the help of residents who were born and raised in Beaufort. In an effort to contribute to the Beaufort Three-Century Project, they would like to compile favorite memories of Beaufort, ranging from the 1920s to the present.

• Why not give incentives to Mall at Shelter Cove?
  It seems that $100 million in tax incentives for The Sembler Co. to build a shopping mall makes little if any sense.

• Obama policies hurting island mall's prospects
  A recent headline stated that The Mall at Shelter Cove faces a "seriousproblem." Directly under that was Obama's "It's time to get serious."

• Keep government out of private business deals
  I am more and more convinced that President Ronald Reagan was right. Government is our problem.

• Community could be 'malled' by new project
  If Sun City Hilton Head residents like traffic noise, congestion, bright lights and chaos, they'll love having The Sember Co.'s mall close to them.

• Upscale restaurants offer opportunity for island mall
  I was pleased to recently read in The Island Packet that the owners of The Mall at Shelter Cove scrapped plans to build a multiplex movie theater at the mall. What a relief to hear that good news.

Letters to the Editor

Your Elected Officials