-- — Phone help available

Many of us take for granted that we can pick up our phone, dial our friends and family, and stay connected with the rest of the world. Phone service has become such a routine part of our lives that we hardly even think about it anymore.

But imagine what it would be like if you were suddenly laid off from your job and couldn’t afford to pay your phone bill. Imagine if you worked one or two jobs and barely made enough to pay the rent and had to sacrifice telephone service.

Unfortunately, too many people in the U.S. and in Georgia face this problem every day and do not have even basic telephone service. In Georgia, we know that many people cannot afford any kind of telephone service and are disconnected from friends, family, and emergency services. These consumers cannot even dial 911.

There is good news, though. Many of these consumers may qualify for two assistance programs — Lifeline and Link-Up — that discount a portion of their telephone service. Lifeline provides qualified consumers savings up to $13.50 on basic monthly telephone service and Link-Up can pay for one-half of the initial installment or activation fees for telephone and/or wireless service.

We know there are thousands of Georgians who qualify for these discounts but are not taking advantage of them. Consumers should apply directly to their local telephone provider to see if they qualify.

The Georgia Public Service Commission is participating with our national organization, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the Federal Communications Commission to raise awareness of, and participation in, these important programs.

Our goal is to connect as many people as possible. We hope that by raising awareness of Lifeline and Link-Up, we can ensure that more consumers can call their friends, their families, and life-saving services. In today’s highly interconnected world, no one should be left out.

For more information, contact the Commission at 1-800-282-5813; and visit our web site at www.psc.state.ga.us.  



Stan Wise, chairman

Georgia Public Service Commission



Bill Edge, public information officer

Georgia Public Service Commission

Get government out of business

In a society that is based on free enterprise, productive jobs that create wealth don’t come from government. The wealth of our nation has always been derived from goods produced on the assembly line and natural resources. Unfortunately, we have lost our manufacturing base and many products coming from our natural resources have been regulated out of business by the federal and state governments. Production lines have been closed by the thousands and sent mainly to China and we are seeing a domino effect in our job market as a result.

No politician from the president on down can produce a single job other than a government job. The only thing politicians can do for business is create a climate that is beneficial. To do this, they must eliminate high taxes, do away with restrictive regulation, trim big government, and make the foreign trade field level and fair. Nothing can be done for our job market until these four things are solved.

As Lt. Gen. Honore said in New Orleans during Katrina, “stupid is in.” I’m afraid that is our problem with most politicians and the national media. They think we should look to government to solve our economic problems. Big  government is the problem, not the solution. Let our representatives address the four items mentioned above and turn our economy back over to the entrepreneurs. If they don’t, vote them out.



Bill Piper

Jennings, Fla.

Union busting attacks American workers

In 2006, a Republican-controlled Congress decided that the best way to kill off a public sector union is to simply destroy the agency they work for.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 mandates the United States Postal Service, an agency that employs more than half a million Americans, to fund 75 years worth of pensions in the next 10 years.

It obliges the USPS to pre-fund the health-care benefits of future retirees 75 years in advance, which means they are required to fund pensions for employees not yet born. Something no other agency or corporation is required to do. This provision costs the Postal Service $5.5 billion a year, and surprise, surprise: they can’t make this year’s payment.

Now, instead of showing a $700 million profit over the past four years, it is going to show a $20 billion loss. The postmaster general, Patrick R. Donahoe, is asking the union to set its contract aside. House Democrats are offering bills that would move some $50 billion of overpayment by the USPS to the Civil Service Retirement System which would save the USPS. House Republicans are offering bills that essentially kill the Postal Union and shuts the USPS down. The difference between the strategies is glaring: Bust the unions at all costs, even if it brings down the United States Postal Service. We can only hope this attack on American workers fails.

At least the war against the middle class is going well.



Donna Delaney

Valdosta

Ten years ago, we remember!

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, will mark the 10th anniversary of the sudden attack  on America.

Even though it happened on our land, it sent shock waves and sadness around the world.

What happened  on 9/11 hit us by surprise, but it was God who has sustained us from Sept. 11, 2001, up until now. And we must continue to pray, and ask for guidance and understanding.

America and the world will always remember those senseless acts and the lives that were touched and forever changed.

Yes, we remember all the people who were there to help those who were injured, etc.

And we pray for those who were injured. We can’t forget those who lost their lives from 9/11.

America is still standing proud.

Our flag still waves. Ten years ago was a big blow, but we know with God on our side and we working  together, we’re going  to make it.

God bless our U.S. Armed Forces! God bless America! God bless our world!



Freeman S. Rivers. Sr.

Hahira