DO YOU REMEMBER?
In cleaning out some old files and boxes, I ran across a real bit of memorabilia, "a 25 Cent Defense Stamp Album, for the purchase of United States Defense Savings Bonds".  Each week I purchased a 25-cent stamp and pasted it in the album. It now has a total of 13 stamps.  For some reason, one stamp has been cut out which means I probably had a total of 15 since there were stamps pasted on both sides of the page. When the album was filled with 75 twenty-five cent Defense Stamps, it represented a value of $18.75.   It could then be exchanged at any post office for a Defense Savings Bond which, after 10 years, would have been worth $25.00.

I remember how patriotic that 25-cent stamp made me feel each week, and how I looked forward to placing the stamp in the album.   I made sure that each stamp was as perfectly straight as possible.  How this particular album got stored away without being completed is something I can't remember. My father worked at the Naval Shipyard in Charleston, S.C. at the time, and he encouraged each of us children to participate in the program.

Where has the thrill of helping and believing in our great country gone?

Wonder if my album and its stamps have a value today!   I'll do some research and let you know.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS FOR NAME FOR COLUMN
Thanks for continuing to send in suggestions for a new name for this weekly column.  "Today's Tid Bits", "A Friend of The Founder's Forum", "It's The Gospel", "Ya' Don't Say!", "Jerry's Journal", "How 'Bout This!", "Ramblings", "Comments of Interest",  "The Lightening Rod", "The Spotlight", "Truth Talk".   Thanks, and please keep sending in your suggestions.

I got the following recently:  "Jerry, if you've not decided, how about - 'Jerry's Junction' -  Rationale: We the readers are always 'joining you' to read your thoughtfully prepared, and well written articles.  The word 'Junction' is also defined as a place where roads meet, it infers the 'coming together' of people too. Thanks, an avid Cajun reader of Gulf1.  Thanks, Bill, for such a thoughtful reply.

The contest will end January 15 and then I'll ask my team of three to refer their top three suggestions to me and I'll pick one of them.  Truly need your participation, so get busy and put on your "thinking cap".

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

I'm still getting input on the problem of cities and counties not requiring street numbers to be prominently posted on houses and businesses so they are visible from the streets.  There has been overwhelming support.  Thus far, no one disagrees.  Maybe one of the members of our Legislative Delegation will pick up on this issue and get some action during the coming session in March. One reply was: "Yes, I wish more businesses would have their street numbers displayed. hard to drive safely and look for non-existent numbers." This person went on to say, "Thanks for reporting on the gun control issues in Australia. Disarming the U.S. citizens would, in my opinion, be very dangerous for most of us non-violent types - danger from criminals and potential danger from police state tactics as well."

HOW TO CONTACT

Last week I promised to provide you with the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of our Florida House and Senate members in Northwest Florida.   Since the new directory has not yet been published, I hope the information is correct.   If you have a problem getting one of them, let me know and I'll chase the information down for you.

Rep. Don Brown, OWCC-Building 2, #205, DeFuniak Springs, FL
32433-1436, Telephone 850-892-8431, donbrown@gulf1.com
Rep. Holly Benson, 433-B East Romana Street, Pensacola, FL
32501-6143, Telephone 850-595-5550, holly@gulf1.com
Rep. Greg Evers, 5233 Willing Street, Milton, FL 32570-4969,
Telephone 850-983-5550, gregevers@gulf1.com
Rep. Bev Kilmer, P. O. 1586, Marianna, FL 32447-5586,
Telephone 850-718-0047, bevKilmer@gufl1.com
Rep. Dave Murzin,  murzin@gulf1.com
Rep. Ray Sansom Telephone 850-833-9328, ray@gulf1.com

I'll get the rest of the information and include it next week.   Because of the Christmas vacations, some were not in their office for me to confirm the information or to get the additional information needed.   You can, however, contact them by their telephone or email addresses.

I'M ADVOCATING THESE ISSUES

I hope each of you will contact our Legislators and urge them to introduce and support legislation to complete Abolishing Florida's Intangibles Tax; implementing the constitutional amendment designating English as official language of state;  Introduce and support The Paycheck Protection Act as advocated by The James Madison Institute; Tightening provisions for amending Florida's Constitution; and Providing more flexibility for School Districts to utilize their funding while establishing accountability for how funds are used.

I'll be providing you with other issues I hope will be dealt with during this session.   I'm still hoping the Governor will call as Special Session of the Legislature either before March or after April to deal with nothing but Insurance Issues.   Prior to the special session, the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House should establish Task Forces to study and make recommendations concerning all insurance issues - auto, health, windstorm, homeowners, nursing home, liability, workers' compensation, etc.  During the Special Session, action would be taken on all the recommendations from the groups.

ANOTHER INTERESTING RESPONSE
In response to the question concerning year round school, Jim had the following response:  "My opinion.  School should be from Labor Day to Memorial Day, but with some changes. No Fall Breaks.   Those who are not good in math should not be required to take algebra or geometry but should have the option to study business math courses.   English Literature is wonderful for those who want to appear on JEOPARDY but should not be required for vocational students.  Our educational system has set forth a curriculum based on:  All students should have to do it because we had to do it.   How about going back to the 3"R"s?  Black History should be an optional class, not a required class.  Typing should be a required class.  Jerry, I'm just giving a few examples. Sit down with an educator and read over the suggested curriculums.  They suck!  Develop separate plans for college students and vocational students with more emphasis on vocations.  Give the extra time to the teachers to let them earn summer money like the OLD days."  Jim

QUOTE
I don't know who wrote this; however, I do know that it's worth reading and thinking about:

I sometimes wish
With remorseful bliss
I could glide away
On a rainy day
Away from the earth
To the land of mirth
Shedding the guilt
That my life has built

ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK
As Thomas Jefferson warned repeatedly:  "Over the judiciary department, the Constitution (has) deprived (the people) of their control. The original error (was in) establishing a judiciary independent of the nation, and which, from the citadel of the law, can turn its guns on those they were meant to defend, and control and fashion their proceedings to its own will. It is a misnomer to call a government republican in which a branch of the supreme power (the judiciary) is independent of the nation.   The opinion which gives the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action but for the Legislature and Executive also in their sphere, would make the judiciary a despotic branch."

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Since the Legislature in Florida is going to be facing some rough decisions concerning funding issues, what is your suggestion for the one or two programs you feel should either be abolished or having the programs' funding severely reduced.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND INPUT!

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com