Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 149, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 29, 1998 Page: 3 of 22
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CHEROKEEAN/HERALD of Rusk, Texas—Thursday, October 29,1998—Page 3A
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Letters
One Vote Can Affect Election Results
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November 3, Election Day, is soon approaching.
Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19. President
Johnson once said, "Voting is the first duty of democ-
racy."
Unfortunately, two facts about elections which are
becoming increasingly more familiar are that they
are apparently losing popularity while simultaneously
becoming more important than ever. If these two
facts seem to be mutually contradictory, that is the
problem.
Free elections are held in fewer and fewer coun-
tries. In our own country, a smaller proportion of the
public is voting. In 1960, for example, well over 60
percent of the eligible voters cast their ballots in the
Presidential election; however, in 1976, about 55
percent voted. With embarrassing regularity, the
overall percentage of eligible voters who actually go
to the polls in the U.S. falls far short of the democra-
cies of Western Europe. This happens even though
we are called upon to vote on issues of greater and
greater importance — ecological proposals, housing
policies and many others, as well as the selection of
our government officials.
The 20th century has been marked by the steady
expansion of the franchise - woman suffrage, lower-
ing of the voting age, abolition of the poll tax, passage
of the voting rights laws - and yet the challenge to get
the people to the polls remains. As President Roosevelt
said, "Nobody will ever deprive the American people
of the right to vote except the American people
themselves."
Don't be mislead into thinking that your vote doesn't
count. Every vote counts. In 1845, just ONE vote
brought Texas into the Union. In 1876, ONE vote
gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency. In 1923,
ONE vote gave Adolph Hitler the leadership of the
Nazi Party. And in 1941, ONE vote saved the Selec-
tive Service ... just weeks before Pearl Harbor was
attacked. Even in our own community, just ONE
vote made the difference in a recent primary election.
Facing the voters today are significant differences
between the two major political parties. These differ-
ences can best be seen by looking at their respective
platforms. For example, the Texas Republican Party
has advocated that "the minimum wage law should
be repealed." The Texas Democratic Party supports
"a meaningful increase in the minimum wage aimed
at giving all full- time workers the ability to live
dignified lives" and will " guarantee that all farm
workers are afforded that same dignity."
The Texas Republican Party "supports an orderly
transition to a system of private pensions based on
the concept of individual retirement accounts and
gradually phasing out the Social Security tax." The
Texas Democratic Party believes that "We must keep
the promise of Social Security available and certain
for those who worked and contributed to the system
all their lives. Texas Democrats believe the federal
budget surplus should be used to strengthen Social
Security."
The Texas Republicans call for "the abolishment of
the U.S. Department of Education." Whereas the
Texas Democratic Party believes that "public educa-
tion is the key to economic opportunity and effective
participation in our democracy. We believe that fam-
ily, school, and community share responsibility for
providing every child with a quality public education
in a safe, secure school." The Texas Republican Party
"opposes programs ... such as early childhood devel-
opment ..." and "...strongly oppose a system of educa-
tion such as School-to-Work." The Texas Democratic
Party supports the commitment of "the necessary
resources to early intervention programs so that
every child can read by the end of third grade." The
Texas Republican Party supports a voucher system,
which would take money from our public schools and
thereby threaten the quality of public education for
all Texas children. The Texas Democratic Party
opposes any form of private school vouchers that
would drain resources essential to guarantee a qual-
ity public education for all our children.
The Texas Republican Party supports "the aboli-
tion of ... the Department of Health and Human
Services." The Texas Democratic Party believes that
"every family deserves health care they can count on
and a health care system that puts family health
first." The Texas Republican Party "urges the Texas
Legislature to repeal the Texas Healthy Kids Corpo-
ration" that expands access to private health insur-
ance for Texas children. The Texas Democratic Party
supports "implementation of the Texas Healthy Kids
Corporation Program and encourage the utilization
of all federal funds available through the Children's
Health Insurance Program to Improve Health Care
for Texas Children."
Finally, and perhaps most telling of all, the Texas
Republican Party advocates "the immediate repeal of
the 'Motor Voter' law and urge re-registering voters
every four years and requiring first-time registrants
to produce photo identification, proof of residency,
and citizenship along with voter registration." The
Texas Democratic Party "reaffirm our support for the
Voting Rights Act, the protection of the right of
minority groups to participate fully in the political
process" and "encourage full voter participation in all
elections, including continued selection of Party nomi-
nees through primary elections."
As you can see, the issues facing voters today are
many, but each is important to our continued democ-
racy. As President Kennedy stated, "The ignorance of
one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all."
The differences listed above which exist between the
two parties are just a few, but they speak volumes. It
is incumbent upon us all to stand up and be counted.
Let our voices be heard. Let us express our opinions
where they count the most, at the voting booth.
Act as if the whole election depended upon your
single vote .... it just may.
Forrest K. Phifer
Rusk, Tex.
Social Security Isn't In Danger
They are at it again! The Democrats are once again
• trying to scare the seniors to death and this time it is
■ .••• about Social Security.
! • Social Security is not in immediate danger as they
*•- would have you believe. By the year 2025 it will be,
• however, so changes in the Social Security system
must be made in the next few years in order to save
>. • the system for future generations.
! Both Republicans and Democrats recognize this.
The Democrats used Medicare in the last election
to scare seniors and this time they are using Social
Security. This effort to scare the older folks into
voting Democrat is unconscionable and downright
dirty and ugly.
I hope the older folks recognize this as dirty politics
and vote Republican.
Jerry Rix
Rusk,
Thanks For The Memories
On the weekend of Oct. 10, approximately 6^0,-700
Rusk High SchoQl graduates returned to Rusk to visfK
with classmates and other friends. There were many
• other activities available and all of you took advan-
tage of the opportunity to take part. I
Friday night 240 ate barbecue and 170 rode the
• train to Maydelle and back.
On Saturday, all 700 were on the square at one time
• or another. At 3 p.m. about 500 met at the Church on
the Hill for a rally and memorial service.
Saturday night approximately 60 attended "Gypsy."
Two hundred forty (classes of the 1950s) went to the
• country club in Jacksonville; 75 (classes of 45,46,47
and 48) had a dinner at the Methodist Church
fellowship hall; 150 (classes of the 1960s) met at the
Civic Center and there were other class parties in
Rusk and Jacksonville.
Most churches had reunion attendees at the Sun-
day morning services and about 20 graduates saw
the last performance of "Gypsy."
You also donated $1,700 toward the former stu-
dents scholarship fund.
If any of you didn't contribute and would like to,
please send a check to Rusk Main Street, 408 North
Main Street, Rusk 75785. Make checks payable to
"Rusk ISD Scholarship Fund."
All in all it was a great weekend! If you had as much
fun as we did trying to organize it, you had a blast!
Thanks for being here and thanks for the memo-
ries.
Tommie Holcomb Franks, Martha Neely,
Frank and Mary Madden
Rusk
Calling All Eagle Fans
Some of us followed the Eagle Band to SFA last
week to see them receive the highest honor, a Divi-
sion '1', for their UIL marching contest. This makes
the Band qualified to March in NAMMB (the Na-
tional Association of Military Marching Bands). Di-
rector Gary Robbins has accepted this invitation and
feels the band is prime for competing nationally
which will include marching bands well beyond the
state of Texas. Mr. Robbins and many young musi-
cians have asked the band boosters to rally behind
them and get as many parents and fans to attend this
great competition. Fortunately for us it will be held
next Saturday, October 31st, in Nacogdoches at the
SFA stadium. So join us if you can! This band is so
powerful in their performance. At their best they can
send chills down your spine. Congratulations Eagle
Band!
Randy Moore Band Boosters
Rusk
Can-Do Spirit
Appreciated
The donation of over 3,000 cans of food by the
Rusk ISD students has filled the pantry shelves of
the Rusk Cares-Good Samaritan for the first time
ever.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if no one in the Rusk
|:;ISD area ever had to go hungry? The effort put
>:forth by these students has made this nearer to
<:«being possible.
These students have won more than just a tro-
£;phy. They have won the gratitude of every hungry
S-person receiving a can of this food. A big "thank
:£you" to each and every one having a part in this
S-effort.
William May
ij'' Rusk Cares-Good Samaritan
J; Rusk
1
Sacred Heart Says
t hanks
What a great success, thanks to you.
We would like to thank everyone who supported
Sacred Heart Mission Church through our fund
raiser at the high school last Friday night.
The stack-up dinner served at last Friday's foot-
ball game was possible because of many people. A
special thank you to Lupe's in Jacksonville, the
Rusk Independent School District and Bole's Food
Market in Wells. We really appreciate our church
members who prepared and served food. Thanks
also to those who came out and ate.
You have all helped Sacred Heart Mission Church
along the road to building our permanent church
here in Rusk. Thank you.
Anita Ocker, Colleen Woodcock
Rusk
Home Mortgages
just got easier
at
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Interest Rates
Fast Closings
Fixed Rates
Fannie Mae
Construction Loans
Rusk
401 N. Main
Member FDIC 683-2254
SQ3SQ
Austin
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www.austinbank.cpm
Women's Health
October...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The key to successful treatment of breast cancer is early
detection. At The Breast Center at Nacogdoches Medical
Center, a full range of mammographic services are available;
screening, diagnostic mammography, non-surgical biopsies,
and breast conservation therapy. Peace of mind can be the key
to your success.
Date:
The Month of October
Place:
The Breast Center
Laird Imaging Center
Time:
Call 409/568-3450
for an appointment
Regular & Extended Hours
Cost:
$30 cash or insurance for
screening mammogram.
Radiologist fee is not
included.
Mammography Guidelines
First mammogram by age 40
A mammogram every year after 40
Breast self examination every month age 20 and over
A clinical exam every 3 years for women age 20-40
and every year after 40
NACOGDOCHES
Medical Center
All Radiologists are Board Certified and/or Board Eligible.
Gift certificates available • ACR Accredited, FDA approved • Medicare/Medicaid Certified
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 149, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 29, 1998, newspaper, October 29, 1998; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152396/m1/3/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.