Outsourcing smarts

The Jan. 10 Trib story concerning outsourcing jobs for contract work missed some important points. Many, if not all, of those contractors hire local people to help with these projects. They also pay local taxes. And I wonder how many local contractors bid out to other cities for work, as they should?

In today’s economy, few businesses are truly totally local. If Waco only allowed businesses to operate that are 100 percent local, we’d be about the size of Bruceville-Eddy — without the Eddy.

Large corporations with headquarters elsewhere provide jobs and tax revenues that we would not otherwise benefit from. And anyone who has a business and the opportunity to expand it outward would do so. It’s just good business, and it’s how America works.

David Hayslip    

Waco

Tea Party movement

I agree with Jim Bawcum’s Jan. 9 letter that it’s imperative that citizens become more involved in the activities of our representatives, from the city and county level all the way up to Washington, D.C.

Last weekend, the Waco Tea Party hosted a professional training seminar to help people discover their roles in playing an active part and being an active voice in their communities. We will continue our pledge to host events like this so the people of Central Texas can have a more informed and active role as we strive to reshape the dynamic of local and American politics.

We continue our nonpartisan pledge to the public to transcend partisan politics and adhere to the principled ideals of free markets, fiscal responsibility and a constitutionally limited government. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.WacoTeaParty.com.

Be a part of an ever-growing movement right here in Central Texas, a movement that promises to have a major impact across this country. Let your voice be heard.

Michael Simon

Waco

Not so funny, Kelso!

No thanks to John Kelso for the shining example of unsportsmanlike behavior exhibited in his Jan. 7 column, “In the redneck department, ’Bama has us beat.” We wonder why the kids and young adults in today’s society are the way they are. Writers like Kelso are the reason.

I remember a time when respect was shown to your opponents even though you wanted to destroy them on the field of play. Afterward, win or lose, you manned up and shook hands because it’s only a game.

I’m sure Kelso will say he was just joking and I should lighten up. But nothing he wrote was funny! I hope others who read the column were as incensed as I was. Let’s recall those attributes once taught by our grandparents and pass them on to future generations.

Michael Varadi

Waco

Coach’s decision

In Trib sportswriter John Werner’s Jan. 7 column, “Briles’ decision to stay at BU a wise choice,” he fails to mention that the only reason football coach Briles stayed is because of the $4 million contract buyout. Without that, he’d be gone.

Werner also says that Baylor has “winnable” games against Kansas State, Kansas and A&M.

Who’s he trying to fool?

D.T. King

Gatesville