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By Erica Simons
With budget cuts from Amendment One, the next couple of years are crucial in deciding what our county can and cannot afford. Yet, Pasco County District One voters who are registered Democrat and Independent will not be able to choose the leader who will represent them.
John Taylor, a write-in candidate has silenced the voices of voters with just a few pieces of paper and a signature.
I understand that this area is known for its strong Republican roots and Taylor’s dedication to the party is certainly extremely strong. However, the very essence of our country is the freedom to choose a candidate that best represents your beliefs and ideals. It’s a freedom that many have fought battles to win. I don’t understand how the right can be taken so lightly.
It’s the kind of move that exemplifies American’s distrust of their politicians. In certain respects, the general public just assumes that their senators, congressmen, and even their Presidents will lie, cheat, and work the system in their favor. The trust of the voters must be earned...for more on this story subscribe
By Cole Bellamy
I had been to Europe before, but I mainly saw the simple and tourist-friendly sights of London, Paris and Rome. It was the summer of 2002 and the U.S. was still reeling from the horrors of 9/11. Back then, the States had the sympathy of the world, and the Global War on Terror had the support of most of the Western world. Things are a little different, now, and I’m going to some stranger and slightly rougher places and worst of all the exchange rate is no longer on my side.
Still sleepless after 12 straight hours on an airplane, I stumbled into the Frankfurt airport, the Flughaffen at 7 a.m. I walked through the customs line and presented my passport to a stern and distinctly German-looking guard.
“Guten morgen” he said to me. (Almost everyone working in the airport speaks great English but I think they like to speak German to the Americans coming through customs, just to shock them a little.) After a moment he continued in English, leafing through my passport and asking me my destinations and my reason. I told him I was going on a tour and he looked at me like he didn’t believe it...for more on this story subscribe
By Betty Kossick
It’s not the politicians who make up the United States of America, it’s people like you and me. Politics, the good and the bad of it, is only a small part of our wonderful country and its mix of ethnicity. Old Glory flies where our service people are, as well as here at home, as a symbol of our liberty and freedom that they choose to maintain. Surely it must lift their hearts as they serve a wider cause to have Old Glory waving. Early warriors carried their banners high and we fly ours....for more on this story subscribe
Councilman, City of Zephyrhills
On this special day, in a thousand small towns, loyal Americans will march in parades as millions of their fellow citizens watch with pride. The passing of the Stars and Stripes will cause many backbones to stiffen and bring sharp salutes from the military as well as the placing of hand over the heart by those who pledge their allegiance to "one nation under God."
As much fun as this day can be, we must never forget what it is, that we are celebrating. Many think Independence Day was the day America became free.
Sounds nice, but that is not true. The Fourth of July marks the date that the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.
Shortly after the 56 members of the congress signed the hallowed document, and the Declaration of Independence was read to the public for the first time.
What Americans often forget is that this Declaration alone did not make the
American Colonies into a nation. Signed during a time of war, the Declaration of Independence was a public statement that a new nation was emerging, if only in the hearts and minds of its' people. This announcement offered hope to the colonists that America the new land of promise and freedoms would triumph....for more on this story subscribe
