I have been doing much thinking about the many problems which are being generated by Rhode Island's economic disaster. We now have so many bridges that have reduced weight limits; RIPTA has had to drastically change routes to accommodate these new weight restrictions. In fact, the Rhode Island Transit Authority with its already inadequate service will soon be making more cuts in routes and service because of funding. As a nation, we can bail out corporate entities, (private businesses) and yet not be able to save R.I.'s ONLY public transportation system? If my figures are correct (or if my memory serves me correctly) Rhode Island's debt is something like 450 Million Dollars.
(note) If I was a multi-millionaire or billionaire, it would be a far better thing I do, to invest in the economy of the smallest state in the U.S. than to continue to invest and reinvest in such failed banking and financial institutions.
As our two voices in the senate for our fine state, I am urging Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed and all your fellow law makers to PLEASE help design a bill to help R.I. climb out of the deep debt we are facing.
Please consider what will happen if RIPTA cannot provide service to the growing numbers of public transportation users. With the gas prices soaring ever higher, Rhode Islanders are going to soon be depending more and more on public transportation. As their ability to get to and from work becomes too financially burdensome, they will not be able to use the states only public transportation as an alternative, if RIPTA continues on the "road" it is taking, with routes and times being cut. This is a time when we should be talking about expanding service, not cutting it. Disabled, handicapped and elderly riders who depend greatly on affordable passes are in jeopardy of losing their ability to access bus service on a daily basis as well. Even if they are only required to pay 25-50 cents per ride, it would cripple and stagnate them into staying home more often and/or not experiencing opportunities to expand their horizons by participating in self help and other programs, as well as health maintenance appointments.
We need to start caring about main street, side street, and ALL of us living here. (ALL Rhode Islanders)
WHERE'S THE PORK? Was there any "earmarks" dedicated to Rhode Islands failing economy within the financial bailout bill recently passed by congress?
What are some ways to generate revenue or to save taxpayer's money from government waste?
How will we be able to pay for programs to help the low income families, poor, elderly & disabled?
A THOUGHT WORTH CONSIDERING;
Medical marijuana is a useful tool in fighting many illnesses. Why not outright "LEGALIZE" marijuana for recreational use? This would help eliminate the overcrowding of our courts, and alleviate prison overcrowding. Keeping marijuana illegal only hurts more people than it helps. Our economy needs a NEW REVENUE SOURCE. If we allow marijuana use (for adults only) even if we couldn't find a way to tax it, the money saved by not fighting it's use, would surely pay for much needed programs, which makes much more sense than this military style approach now used to eliminate this natural herbal remedy.
I think we should (as a state and as a country) finally end this outrageous "war on drugs," or at least decriminalize the use of marijuana. With legal marijuana, these users would no longer be such a high cost to the state. LEGALIZED MARIJUANA would eliminate the cost to taxpayers by eliminating the state's huge amount of money it takes to combat its distribution, sales and use. Our courts and jails need to be used for serious criminal offenses which truly merit prosecution. This money could better serve our state if used more appropriately.
We face much greater adverse affects from obesity, alcohol use, tobacco use, speeding motorists, accidental prescription drug overdoses, FINANCIAL RUIN due to failed economic policies of an out of touch and OUT OF CONTROL CONGRESS.
To criminalize the use of ANY particular recreational activity solely because of a biased non proven theory or fact is against our constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness.
Thank you for your time, With True Sincerity, Herb Anthony
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Copyright 1995-1999,Jawaid Bazyar
As a descendant of Susan B. Anthony, I know CHANGE is POSSIBLE. I am so impressed with Barack H. Obama, that it's my opinion he is our LAST chance for saving the democracy which is slipping away from the American dream.
Watching and listening to Barack's speeches in recent days has shown he is more in tune with the issues concerning the majority of U.S. Citizens from ALL social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
I am PROUD to support Barack H. Obama as our BEST choice to become the next president of The United States of America.
"SITTING ON A MOUNTAIN TOP, SO HIGH I CAN SEE THE UNIVERSE. LOOKING WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE ALL, I SEE RENEWED HOPE OF GOD'S CREATION MANIFESTING THE GOODNESS OF THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE INTENT." ( Herb Anthony)
www.jamwave.com/irpsnerple
