Kindly allow this exhausted geezer to share a few observations and thoughts. It would seem to me that we are living in an exceedingly dangerous time. We have an administration that absolutely refuses to acknowledge, identify, or label the enemies of this great nation. They seemingly no longer acknowledge or respect the concept of individual freedom, individual liberty, or the validity of the U.S. Constitution. The influence of the food-Nazis, eco-Nazis, energy-Nazis, education-Nazis, medical Nazis, etc., etc., upon our diverse regulatory agencies has brought about the curtailment of any hope of economic growth or resurgence of the middle-class. We're told that this is all being done to make our lives safer, more enjoyable, and for our protection.
What I find even more disturbing is that this "nanny-state" mentality is trickling down to our city council. There was a time when a man's home was his "castle." He could pretty much house upon the confines of his property whatever suited has fancy. In today's world, if a council member finds the storage of an item offensive to his aesthetic senses, it has to go. I suspect that same councilman finds that I, a lowly renter, would have the effrontery to take issue with his view as being totally unacceptable. We have another council member that seems to take great delight in "peeing on other people's parades." It appears that if an individual thinks creatively, is hard-working and energetic, willing to make the financial investment, and take the marketing risk in providing a product or service for his friends and neighbors, he dare not consider setting up on "public" property. I refer to those entrepreneurial souls wanting to start up hot dog carts, shaved ice and ice cream concessions, lemonade stands, etc., etc., I guess that I just don't understand what the word "public" means when it comes to "public" property. To top it all off, I see where council saw fit to bring in an outfit from Heath, Ohio, to tell us which of our city streets are in need of repair, for cryin' out loud!
I guess that it all boils down to the question, "When is enough enough?" We are living in a society that tells us what was once evil, harmful, morally repugnant, and a spiritual abomination is now the norm, and should be accepted without question. The ideals and guidelines that were thought to be good, morally up-lifting, and beneficial to our society over-all, no longer apply. Those of us who still cling to these outdated precepts are labeled "bigots," "homo-phoebes," "Bible thumpers," "racists," etc. etc. Thomas Jefferson observed, "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Joseph V. Nowell
Marietta
