Attend a tea party before panning one

The recent column “Baby boomers reliving the ’60s,” written by Jim Spencer and Curtis Ellis (Democratic political consultants – big surprise) was complete propaganda. They hope to discredit “tea parties” by lumping tea party patriots as a generation of “turn on, tune in, drop out[s].” According to Wikipedia, “Ascribing universal attributes to an entire generation is impossible.”

Most of us who grew up in the ’60s have been quietly going to school, working, raising our kids and paying our bills and our taxes. The writers never did say if they have actually attended a tea party. Perhaps they should before they attempt to write about them.

As a baby boomer, I refuse to apologize for being “college educated and white.” The purpose of establishing public education in the United States was to have an informed electorate. Some of us have worked for everything we have, and, as informed voters, expect those we have elected to represent us in government to “hear what we have to say.” Didn’t we send them to Washington to represent us?

They have no money except what they receive from our taxes. They work for us. Government has grown like a cancer, trying to metastasize to more sectors of the economy.

My husband and I have cut back our spending habits in the last year and a half. It’s past time for the federal government to tighten its belt as well. The rate at which Washington is spending, our children and grandchildren will be handing over most of their incomes just to keep up with the interest! Do the math, current government entitlement programs that want to take care of us from the cradle to the grave aren’t sustainable.

If more of the voting citizenry informed themselves about what the national government is spending our tax dollars on, Washington would hear such a protest that lawmakers would run for their lives. The Obamacare bill has grown from over 1,000 pages to 2,700! Tell me this math adds up: Give health coverage to everyone without raising taxes.

I suggest Spencer and Ellis find a tea party and go. We plan to attend our local tea parties and to hear several candidates at the next one in Kokomo. I hope anyone who doesn’t believe our government is on the right track takes every opportunity to educate himself, check up on incumbent voting records and get out to vote at the May primary. A good starting point would be the March 16 tea party at the Kokomo Event Center. Let’s resurrect government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Susie Cox

Greentown

Experience riding Nickel Plate Trail

Tedd Armstrong should dust off his bike, pump up his tires and head for the Nickel Plate Trail. If he would experience riding the beautiful trail, he would wonder why he had not done it sooner. All those who are anti-trails have no idea what they are missing. Once they get out and ride, people will be hooked. It is unbelievably refreshing and relaxing to be outside, surrounded by the beauty of nature. It’s a great stress reliever and costs nothing but your energy and time.

Bicycling is a very inexpensive form of exercise for young and old alike. No need for a monthly gym membership. You simply need a bicycle and helmet (highly recommended). Bicycling can be a family outing, shared with friends or simply be enjoyed alone. One can go riding any time of day, whenever it fits into a schedule. One can ride as little or as far as one likes, and it does not cost a penny more.

People living in bike-friendly cities/towns are generally a healthier population. States and cities that help fund bike trails benefit by having healthy, active citizens. Children grow up learning a healthy lifestyle that continues throughout their lives. Older citizens, as well as the very young can enjoy riding safely when bike trails are provided. Everyone benefits ... it is a win-win situation for all!

Get off the couch, out of the car or truck and ride (or walk) the Nickel Plate Trail. Our community, as well as Peru, Logansport, Rochester, and all the small towns along the way are blessed that the Nickel Plate Friends have given of their time and effort to make sure the trail was constructed. It is a beautiful trail. The fact that it is paved is even nicer. The Nickel Plate Trail is a real asset for the communities, large and small, that it passes through. When completed all the way from Kokomo (hopefully) to Rochester, it will be a big draw from people outside our communities who will come to spend a few days in our area.

Hats off to those who have volunteered their time and hard work to make it happen so it can be enjoyed by all. Bike season is just around the corner. See you on the trail!

Cindy Bernard

Kokomo