Letters to the Editor

Federal workers get raise
I understand that our president recently approved a 2% pay raise for all federal employees at about the same time as the social security administration announced that those on social security will not receive a cost of living increase in 2010. 

Help the 'everyday' folk
Today’s economy is in a deplorable state. It seems that instead of getting better as time goes by things get worse. I understand that when the economy is as bad as it is that budget cuts must be made. I understand that people may be laid off. I understand that these things are being done with good intent. The powers that be in the state of Louisiana have decided that state employees will not be getting their annual 4% raise this coming January. People receiving Social Security will also not be receiving a raise. I understand that in times of crises, these decisions must be made. What I don’t understand is this. Louisiana employees will not receive a cost of living raise, but our health insurance, with the state is being increased by 3%. Those who receive Social Security are already struggling to get by on what they now receive. The government however, has been very generous and is considering giving those receiving Social Security a one-time check for $250 to help since they will not be receiving a raise. If all of this has to be done to help the struggling economy, I understand. But if this is done, and people won’t be receiving a cost of living raise, then I think the powers that be in the White House should put a freeze on any and all merchandise from increasing in price. If we receive no cost of living raise and prices continue to rise, how will this improve the state of the economy? It won’t. It will in fact have a domino effect rippling all the way down from the stores, to their employees, to us, the common people who are just trying to earn a decent living and live a decent life. I think politicians who make these decisions have no clue as to how the “little people” live. If budget cuts need to be made, start at the top, with the people in government making the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Take a few from them, let them feel the hurt for once instead of the everyday citizen. On another note, I feel the main reason the economy has deteriorated so much in the past 10 to 15 years is because all of our jobs are being sent overseas. The rich get richer and we just keep losing jobs. Next time you receive a phone call from a creditor, or a utility company and the person speaks in a foreign language, ask them if they are located in the United States. You will be surprised to find that many of them are not. All this time I thought the foreign speaking people were here working in the states, but no. They are working for creditors and utility companies, but not in this country. We are supposed to be the richest country in the world. At this rate it won’t take very long before we are the poorest if someone doesn’t stand up and think about us. Keep our jobs here. Quit giving millions of dollars to help other countries when we have homeless and hungry right here in the great USA!

Opposite of love not hate
A good friend asked me the other day, “What is the opposite of love?”  

Two key health care ???s
Given the obfuscation and confusion created by the different factions clamoring for a voice within the health care debate, it seems there are only two pertinent questions ... and neither one ever gets asked: 

Lions Club thank you
The New Iberia Lions Club wants to thank the many people, organizations and businesses for all of their hard work in hosting the 10th annual Lions Club Halloween Festival held Oct. 25 at Cyr-Gates Community Center in the New Iberia City Park.

The enemy within
A dictionary definition of “insanity” is as follows: Includes unsoundness of mind as affects legal responsibility or capacity; extreme folly; senselessness; and foolhardiness. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I really believe our nation is insane. If any clear thinking person with just a little common sense looks at the decisions our country is making, I think they would have to come to the same conclusion.

Thanks to sugar industry
I have lived on Northside Road for 47 years. In the past, sugar cane trucks and tractors have dropped enough sugar cane along the road in my front yard for me to start a sugar mill of my own.

Americans getting feed up
In an unprecedented move to instruct poor, dumb, everyday Americans what is news and what isn’t, the White House has declared that the Fox News Network is not a news network and that mainline news organizations should not treat them as colleagues at all. There goes freedom of speech. What else is this administration going to do to turn the greatest nation in the world into a total nanny state? Non-news rumors have it that the Obama administration is going to try to take over the Internet next. That move would be nothing short of outright anarchy. That shouldn’t surprise us, though. The Obama administration has taken over the banking industry, the automobile industry and is making inroads into the real estate industry while doing its dead level best to control the health care industry while school children are forced to sing praises to our miraculous leader. “The Hill” is doing its best to destroy our petroleum industry with Cap and Trade looming on the horizon. I would imagine that next we will be instructed what foods to eat, when to wipe our noses and when to bow to the east or morning and evening prayers. We are under the mighty thumb of the worst Chicago gangster like thugocracy ever to be foisted on the American people. How is the hopey-changey thing working out for you? I see a lot of change that reflects no hope for the America we once knew and loved. But I still see a movement afoot that is going to do some serious changing come 2010. Americans are getting tired of this excessive spending and are seeing through the congressional nonsense.

Wrong in Washington
I understand that our president recently approved a 2 percent pay raise for all federal employees at about the same time as the Social Security Administration announced that those on Social Security will not receive a cost of living increase in 2010.

Review storage plans
Regarding your recent article about gas storage on Cote Blanche Island, Henry Gas Storage has considered very carefully key features of its proposal to develop salt cavern gas storage capacity on the island with the intent of minimizing environmental and community impacts. That is why, for example, we are using the Intracoastal Waterway as a source of water for solution mining so as not to compete with community or agricultural use of groundwater.

Daily Iberian is an asset
My family and I recently lost our beloved family dog, “Jake.” We were so dissappointed because on occasion he would get loose and run to City Park, but he would always return.  After his first venture to the park he enjoyed the attention and snacks he received from local admirers and continued to try to escape.  Two weeks ago, he escaped again.  That day we had gone out of town for the day.  When we returned, there was no sign of Jake.  My sons and I immediately created signs to hang around the neighborhood and called the Daily Iberian for the lost and found section. The number of responses we recievd from caring locals was moving!  Sometimes it takes difficult situations to realize what a wonderful home we have here in Iberia Parish with amazing people who actually care for their neighbors.

Congrats to Gravois Boats
I would like to congratulate Gravois Boats a/k/a Metal Shark for obtaining federal contracts recently from Navy and Coast Guard. I am sure so many here are proud of this home grown success story too! They are a perfect example of the American spirit of free enterprise success. As Henry Ford and many other businesses in the U.S. they started in the family garage.

Landrieu a La. problem
It really appears that Senator Landrieu has decided not to run for re-election.  I submit that her constant support of Obama, Polesi and Reed have really hurt her chances for re-election and I believe she knows it.  The latest episode in refusing the request of several state politicians to add a question to the 2010 census might just be the last knot in her noose.

Landrieu isn't helping us
Per The Times Picayune article written on the issue, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has rejected a request from six of Louisiana’s seven House members that she support a measure by U.S. Sen. David Vitter requiring the 2010 census add a question about the citizenship of respondents. Her defense on her decision?

Led by corrupt people
What additional proof does this nation need that we are being led by corrupt individuals in Congress than to examine Charlie Rangel from New York? This individual is as dirty as they come and yet, not only does he chair one of the most powerful committees in Congress, he is overtly protected by the Democrat Party and Nancy Pelosi.

OK, GOP, whats the plan?
The biggest joke going around the country today, in the debate over health care, is the Republican position that they have nothing against health care reform, they just want to ensure it is done right.

Needs help for report
I am writing to you to ask for your cooperation to complete my project. I am a seventh grader at Goff Junior High School. The class had an opportunity to make an oral and written report on a U.S. state. I chose to do my report on Louisiana. Could you please publish this in your newspaper so your readers could see it and help me with my project.

Thanks for publicity
Thank you so much for all the publicity that you gave to the Azalea Garden Club for our flower and horticultural show which was sponsored by the Sugar Cane Festival. A special thank you goes out to Bill Smith for the article that he provided us.

Students seeking items
The fourth grade class at Aviston Elementary, located in southern Illinois, is learning about the United States and the different environments, climates, resources and highlights found in each region.

Crochet Road issues
It is disturbing that someone who has an issue with the Iberia Parish Council or with a particular member of the council can distort the facts concerning the re-surfacing of Crochet Road.

La. politics as usual
Guess what!? Louisiana-styled politics, as usual, that is what!

School system thankful
On behalf of the Iberia Parish School Board, school system employees and students, I am writing to thank all of the individuals who participated in last Saturday’s election. Both of the Bond propositions were approved by the voters, which means that all of our schools will receive the most current, cutting-edge upgrades in technology. Additionally, safety and security measures will be added to our schools, and the modernization of our facilities will continue parishwide. The success of the propositions is a testament to the hard work of all of our employees, as well as, the support of our parents and the general public. As a school system, we can certainly be proud of recent accomplishments:

GOP needs specific plan
In 1994, Republicans planned and scored a resounding victory in the House and Senate after the Clinton administration tried to remake health care in America into a government run socialist organization. 

Towed at the festival
My husband, my brother, his  wife and I attended the boat parade during the recent Sugar Cane Festival. We  were told the fireworks were held at Bouligny Plaza, so we drove downtown. We  parked our vehicle on Fulton St. near the water works facility.