Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/275218
It should not surprise anyone to find out that suppressing the speech of opponents has been one of the reprehensible tac - tics of the political left. They've found over the decades that whenever conservative ideas begin to find receptive ears and minds, silencing the pur - veyors of those ideas can pro- vide the left the supremacy de- nied by open and fair debate. They've tried to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" via the FCC, and attempted (sometimes successfully) to in - timidate sponsors and adver- tisers away from conservative talk shows. They repeatedly, endlessly castigate opponents as racists, or haters (of fill-in- the-blank victim group) or far- right-kook-fringe types — all to de-legitimatize coherent, prin - cipled, well-thought-out posi- tions on issues facing Amer- icans. There's the incompre- hensible vilification directed at the Tea Party movement and the conservative Koch broth- ers (whose financial support of groups like Americans for Pros- perity is literally dwarfed by union money). In 2008, supporters of Barack Obama in Missouri, who happened to be public prosecu - tors, threatened legal repercus- sions against stations that ran ads attacking Obama. Michigan Democratic Rep. Gary Peters, running for the U.S. Senate, has threatened the broadcast li - censes of stations that run ads criticizing him. "Over at sa- lon.com, Fred Jerome imag- ines what it would be like to na- tionalize—have the government take over—Fox News. "And of course evidence con- tinues to accumulate that high Internal Revenue Service of- ficials denied approval to con- servative groups in order to suppress political speech." (Michael Barone, 2/23) That barefaced abuse of power de - serves far more attention than I will give it here. However, Dem. Rep. Elijah Cummings created a spectacle after former IRS employee Lois Lernor (who re - signed under fire) took the Fifth Amendment 11 times to avoid self-incrimination. Cummings can be quite the political bully. Catherine Engelbrecht tes - tified of her experiences be- fore the House Oversight and Government Reform Commit- tee. "I am Chairwoman of True the Vote, a nonprofit election in- tegrity organization (and) the Founder of King Street Patriots, a citizen-led liberty group …" Among other attempts at intim - idation, she described how Rep. Cummings demanded informa- tion already being provided to the IRS. "Hours after sending letters, he would appear on ca- ble news and publicly defame me and my organization," which prompted a formal complaint by Ms. Engelbrecht to the House Office of Congressional Ethics requesting a full investigation. "I do not like this Uncle Sam. I do not like his health care scam. I do not like these dirty crooks, or how they lie and cook the books. I do not like when Con - gress steals, I do not like their crony deals. I do not like this spy- ing man, I do not like, 'Oh, Yes we can.' I do not like this spend- ing spree, we're smart, we know there's nothing free. I do not like reporters' smug replies when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope, and we won't take it, nope, nope, nope." (Sarah Palin, at the Conservative Political Action Conference) Her pithy Dr. Seuss take-off prompted my rarely used rhym - ing talents: I do not like the tax man's plan, to put the Tea Party in the can, I do not like Obama preaching, that it's bad to spend our money teaching — voters of the Founder's way, to keep our freedom, guns and say — on phony, failing schemes for health care, belittling us with an insulting scare. I do not like the Democrat despot, telling me what I can and cannot — do with my own hard-earned bread, that I should have some sense of dread, that people liv - ing on the dole, will tell us that our only role — is to meekly, gladly send money in, to subsi- dize all their sin and kin. I do not like the leftist plot, to say to takers we will not de- prive you of one single jot, of other people's money bought — with promises thin and wide, that there's no end to earn - ers hide, from which a pound of flesh is pried; under threat of jail and fines, the taxpayer knows the fruits of crime, are regretfully, disrespectfully de - fined: Telling people to support themselves, and not look to oth- ers to stock their shelves. I think Tea Party Patriots give, a message with which we all can live: Exercise great care and caution, when contemplat - ing silly notions, that there's end- less room within the cart, even as fewer pull with heart; that tak- ing from Peter to give to Paul, as- sures us only that Paul will take all, all that's offered with no call — to eventually formulate a plan, to behave like a grown woman or man, and upon one's own two feet to stand, and earn with one's own sweaty hand — using a rediscov - ered work ethic, one's ability to avoid subsidies public—that only erode the will, to use one's earn- ings to pay the bill. Let us not pay notice or heed, to utopian dream- ers wont to plead, that because our taxes support the deserving, we should fork over another serv- ing, never asking uncomfortable queries, over whether the redis- tributionist fairies, will ever de- cide they've spent enough loot, and finally give some moochers the boot. Final note: I heard some - where that Dan Quayle is ask- ing to have his intellectual rep- utation back; when he gave an incorrect spelling for "po- tato" he was only using the mis- spelled "potatoe" on the cue card from a teacher. Obama had no such excuse when he was in front of a crowd and cameras and, to Aretha Frank - lin's face, misspelled the word, "R-S-P-E-C-T." We on the right have known for about 6 years that, without his teleprompt - ers, Barack Obama is a sub-par intellect and dullard. Admit it, liberals. Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@ya - hoo.com. The way I see it Targeting free speech; Dr. Seuss inspires Cartoonist's take If you failed to set your clocks ahead last Sunday you are now one hour behind. If you fail to change your mind in light of new evidence and ideas you live even further in the past. Yours is a dangerous and often foolish in - transigence that stymies inno- vation, exploration, and the evo- lution of a more enlightened fu- ture. Sure it is important to heed the lessons of the past to care- fully guide our personal and common journeys, but if we shun consideration of new ideas and experimentation, we forgo op - portunities to learn and possible improve our lot. Hope and change go hand in hand as we wrestle with vex - ing problems. The only alterna- tive is insanity by doing the same things expecting different out- comes. So why is it that so many conservatives from our local Tea Party patriot Don Polson to past presidential candidate Sarah Palin sarcastically ask Ameri - cans "how is that hopey changy thing workin' for you?" In my opinion it would work much bet- ter if these Americans would lighten up, drop their prejudices, and evoke the grace that has served our country well as we suspend our disbelief that some - one else just might have a bet- ter idea. This grace has been evidenced throughout history in our pub- lic houses and gatherings to lead our nation through times of trauma, and tragedy. Sadly it is seldom seen these days in Con - gress and local gatherings of the state legislature, county super- visors, and city councils absent such exigent circumstances. In- stead it has become fashionable to curry media attention and po- litical favors by "standing one's ground" to point fingers and cast blame on others for collec- tive mistakes and inaction. This is the low path of those too afraid to posit solutions of their own thereby avoiding culpability for possible failures, leaving a brave few to build the high road for a less cumbersome journey. Millions of Americans now have health insurance coverage that was not affordable or avail - able prior to the advent of Obam- acare. While vocal minority of well-heeled conservatives have seen their premiums increase due to broader coverage require - ments and disqualification from needs based subsidies, the Af- fordable Care is already hold- ing down future rates by limit- ing insurance company expenses for overhead and administration. Furthermore as more Ameri- cans use the preventative med- icine services now provided the frequency of serious illnesses and unnecessary surgeries are declining to bring additional sav - ings to all Americans. Like President Obama, Cal- ifornia Insurance Commis- sioner Dave Jones is a Demo- crat making bold changes to improve health insurance in California. He was elected on November 2, 2010 with 4.7 mil - lion votes to lead the largest consumer protection agency in the state, which regulates the $123 billion insurance industry. Since taking office Jones and his workers have saved policyhold - ers more than $1.4 billion in pre- miums, issued regulations to re- quire that at least 80 percent of the individual health insurance premium dollar go to actual health care rather than profits and overhead, required health insurers to cover children with pre-existing conditions and au - tism, spared medical providers $55 million worth of malpractice suits, protected seniors with new laws on the sale of annui - ties, investigated frauds leading to 2,126 arrests, filed two ma- jor anti-fraud lawsuits to com- bat healthcare provider fraud, and Investigated life insurance companies to secure strict busi- ness reforms and end the de- cades-long practice of improp- erly holding onto life insurance benefits due their deceased cli- ents. Now he asks the voters to ap- prove CA 3 to empower his of- fice to justify and approve health insurance rates before allow- ing any increases and provide for public notice, disclosure and hearing on health rate changes, and subsequent judicial review. Additionally the Act prohibits health insurance eligibility or rates based on lack of prior cov - erage or credit histories. Health care in America has been on a collision course for de- cades with ever escalating costs, decreasing access for middle and low income families and insur- ance company denials of claims and policies. Thanks to bold Democrats and a handful of rea- soned Republicans a crash of our health care system has been averted by realizing a change in time and time for change. Richard Mazzucchi is a retired re- search engineer specializing in en- ergy efficiency and renewable en- ergy. He has travelled extensively and now makes his home in Los Molinos, where he is striving to manifest a sustainable and spirit - ual lifestyle and operate a barbe- cue equipment and supply business. He can be reached at living-green@ att.net. Positive Point A change in time and time for change I do not like the tax man's plan, to put the Tea Party in the can, I do not like Obama preaching, that it's bad to spend our money teaching — voters of the Founder's way, to keep our freedom, guns and say. Sounding off A look at what readers are saying in comments on our website and on social media. And this county wants to "create" a new state?.... When it can't even get its act to- gether to build a fully funded shelter? Vivian Keller: Facebook comment during a discussion of public assistance I didn't feel it but my teen daughter did. Was telling me she felt our building sway, we're upstairs, and saw her water glass jiggling. Lora Jean Carcione: Facebook comment about M6.8 earthquake west of Ferndale Greg Stevens, Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EdITOrIal BOard How to have your say: 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 no more than two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@red bluffdailynews.com Phone: 530-527- 2151 ext. 112 Mail to: P.O. Box 220, 545 Diamond Ave., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEbook.CoM/ rbdAIlynEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @rEdbluFFnEWS We on the right have known for about 6 years that, without his teleprompters, Barack Obama is a sub-par intellect and dullard. admit it, liberals. The civil rights movement is an aspect of the country's history of which all Americans can be proud. Minority leaders fought for a just cause through nonviolent methods and an appeal to ba - sic principles of human rights. The movement was an inspira- tion to oppressed people around the world, and its success can be judged by looking at the current occupant of the White House. The movement changed the country for the better in funda - mental ways, and it seems only natural that its story should be part of what American students learn in school. According to a new report, that's not happening to the degree that it should. "Teaching the Movement 2014: The State of Civil Rights Educa - tion in the United States," released by the Southern Poverty Law Cen- ter, gives every state a letter grade reflecting how well the civil rights movement is taught in that state. Twenty states got an F. Students deserve to have a full, rich understanding of what the civil rights movement was about and what it accomplished. Classes on the movement in the basic ed - ucation of American students are not just a matter of instilling pride. The story of the movement offers essential lessons in the political process and the mechanics of de - mocracy. If that's not important to teach kids, what is? Loveland (Colo.) Reporter-Herald EdITOrIal Civil rights history should be taught better OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, March 11, 2014 » MORE AT FACEbook.CoM/rbdAIlynEWS AND TWITTEr.CoM/rEdbluFFnEWS a6