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4A Daily News – Thursday, July 4, 2013 Opinion DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Recommit to the legacy of the Founding Fathers As we observe our nation's 237th birth- partisan agenda. That's why I have introduced an Assembly resolution day, recent events remind us that calling upon Congress to remove July 4th is more than just a day any role for the IRS in adminisfor a barbecue and fireworks. tering Obamacare. Independence Day is a time Many have also been troubled when all Americans celebrate by the spying allegations involvour proud tradition of liberty ing the National Security Agency and democracy that has made and other law enforcement agenour country a beacon of freecies going after law-abiding citidom. zens, without cause. People have It is also a time when we seen their e-mail messages, remember the extraordinary phone records and social media courage of our Founding activities monitored in secret by Fathers in declaring our nations' federal agents. independence. At the time, the Dan The Obama Administration fledgling American colonies seems to be taking a taking a page were on the far reaches of what out of the playbook of a famous was then the British Empire, but George, but not the one you're that didn't stop an absentee thinking off. They seem to be adhering to monarchy from imposing tyrannical rule. With the rallying cry of "no taxation the heavy-handed practices of the tyranniwithout representation," men like Ben- cal king we overthrew, King George III. jamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Instead, they should be following the Jefferson charted a different course for the example of our Founding Father George America. They created a government of, Washington, who led the charge for a limby and for the people, based on the princi- ited and restrained federal government. In my view, one of the most important ples of personal freedom, self-determinaresponsibilities that elected officials have tion and representative democracy. One would have thought that "we the in a representative democracy is to uphold people" had won the battle over tyranny the trust ceded to them by the people to more than two centuries ago. But when govern justly and responsively. Sadly, you think about the recent abuses of power fewer and fewer Americans have any faith by the Obama Administration, you will in the Obama Administration that they will see many similarities with the abuses fairly and honestly administer the law. As we mark our nation's independence Americans experienced at the hands of the this year, I encourage each of you to British in the 1770s. All fair-minded Americans have been recommit yourself to restoring the legacy outraged by the actions of rogue bureau- of liberty set forth by our Founding crats at an out-of-control Internal Revenue Fathers. The Bill of Rights in the U.S. Service, who went after innocent Ameri- Constitution protects the rights of citizens cans over the groups they belong to and against excessive government and abuses the beliefs that they share. The IRS even of power. Now more than ever, we must targeted religious groups, reminding me of defend the Constitution and our democratthousands fleeing England seeking free- ic traditions and hold government officials dom from religious persecution during at every level of government accountable to the people again. colonial times. Worse, these same IRS bureaucrats will North State Assemblyman Dan Logue have a significant role in implementing Obamacare. People's healthcare should represents the 3rd Assembly District in not be politicized by bureaucrats with a the California Legislature. Logue On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Editor: As a member of both the wildland fire community and the Red Bluff community I would a appreciate an opportunity to bring to light an important organization. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation is the only national nonprofit that supports firefighter families Your both emotionally and financially in the event of line of duty death or injury. I am now the North State spokesperson for the foundation and would welcome a chance to get the word out about the important work done by the foundation, with a large majority of resources expelled in the North State in recent months and years. We have a huge firefighter and fire presence in our area and I'm sure our community would be interested in how they can show their support for those who walk through fire to protect them, their property and our natural resources. For more information, visit the foundation's website at www.wffoundation.org or send me an e-mail at christinamstanley@yahoo.com to schedule a presentation for your group or club. Christina Marie Stanley, Red Bluff Turn Same sex marriage Editor: If same sex marriage is for people who love each other, then what about father and son and mother and daughter and siblings, cousins or other relations? What restrictions may apply to different types of relationships? Alive and dead, animals, inanimate objects? What exceptions to the customary marriage will be allowed now? Marriage by Biblical definition is between a man and a woman for procreation. Man's civil union laws may offer tax exemptions to whatever and whoever lawmakers grant this privilege. Steve Kelsey, Corning Your officials Mission Statement We believe that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 Supporting families of lost firefighters STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Independence Day before yesterday Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July — I mean besides the obvious fireworks, grilled delights and afternoon baseball? Well as we learned in school it's the date we declared our independence from that tyrant King George III. Except it's not. That answer is similar to saying the Civil War was fought over slavery. The Second Continental Congress actually declared our independence on July 2 in the form of the Lee Resolution. John Adams even wrote his wife Abigail telling her how July 2 would go down as one of the greatest days in American history. Silly Adams, little did he know Americans will make their own traditions regardless of how true they are. That first Thanksgiving was filled with pumpkin pies, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes after all. So then why July 4th? Because it's actually the why. Why, you're confusing me. You see July 4 is the date printed on the Declaration of Independence, which did not so much as declare our independence, as it did explain "why" we were doing it. The American people, who hated closed-door politics back then as much as they still do, chose to celebrate the public explanation not the Lee Resolution that led to it. At least Richard Henry Lee got to be a prominent character in the musical "1776." Since that fourth of July in 1776 Americans have been obsessed with why the Founding Fathers did anything, with politicians from every political spectrum claiming to know the answer. They're about as certain to know why Thomas Jefferson supported an issue as I am to know why my cat sleeps in a of Independence. These days it's pretty easy to ceramic sink on hot days. find, you can probably I think I know why, read it on your phone but it's impossible to as you wait for the be certain. apple pie to be served Historians can look or in between telling back at the writings of your children the firethe times, but in the works will start when end it will always be they start. an interpretation of So while July 2nd meaning. And I'll just and the July 4th are assume it's because both great days to celthe ceramic is a cool ebrate American indeplace for a nap. pendence, they are The list of grievalso great times to ances against King Rich reflect on why that George is clearly independence is worth spelled out, but as for celebrating to begin the rest of their with. actions? For me, there's no better If we can't even get the date of our independence right, it's freedom than being able to ask reasonable to assume some of "why?" in the first place. the more abstract thought Rich Greene can be processes have been changed in reached at 527-2151, Ext. 109 237 years. by email at That's important to keep in or mind, especially when one goes rgreene@redbluffdailynews.c back and reads the Declaration om. Greene