‘Old guard’ and fences

I’m always amused at how two people can view the same event or situation and come away with a completely different understanding. For example, Joe Bob Boyd correctly points out in his March 18 letter, “Now they’re worried,” that past GOP administrations have done a terrible job with respect to the budget. He fails, however, to mention the poor job Democrats have done, too.

And FYI, it won’t be the old guard GOP establishment that will become his deliverer. It will be the tea party Republicans who were recently elected. That is, as soon as they can overcome the resistance of those in the Republican establishment.

Remain vigilant and continue expressing desire for a balanced budget and common-sense thinking from those elected. Then in 2012 vote out all who disregard our desires — whether Republican or Democrat — and vote in those who will.

Another example is Glynn Lightsey’s March 18 letter, “Fence to nowhere,” in which he fails to see why a restraining fence is being built on the Highway 6 median. How soon we forget about the head-on collisions that have taken lives along that stretch of road. Maybe some day it will save the life of someone he knows.

Instead, complain about the new high-tech suspension bridge that officials want to put on Interstate 35 at the Brazos River. They are trying to convince us it will cost the same as an ordinary bridge. Sure it will!

Mike Varadi, Waco

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Regarding Glynn Lightsey’s letter, I agree that we continually see reports of our state’s financial woes with cutbacks and layoffs expected to meet budget shortfalls, and I do regret some of the spending choices our government is making. However, I believe he is missing the point of the guardrail cables being installed on the median.

The guardrails are not to prevent people from illegally crossing over. It is an economical safety system designed to reduce crossover accidents and head-on collisions. The fence is in lieu of the heavy, concrete dividers we see installed on our local interstate highways.

As far as funds to pay our teachers are concerned, the funds for highway improvements come from a different pocket than the funds for other government activities. I believe many laws would have to be changed to allow spending highway funds to pay our other state employees. To meet state spending requirements of a balanced budget, tax money must be available to pay for all of the spending.

Our Legislature must make the hard choices to raise taxes or reduce spending. I do not envy them in their task, but I do expect them to accomplish it.

Bob Maske, Waco

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With all due respect, I’d like to ask Joe Bob Boyd to compare the amount of the national debt at the close of 2008 with the amount of the national debt at the close of 2010 and explain how the increase is caused by what had happened two-plus previous years ago? 

Helen K. Hood, McGregor

Feral hog meat?

Just a thought, but could feral hog meat be used to help feed the poor in our area and given to food banks?

Lola Hopper, Waco