The City Commission has spoken but, hopefully, their decision will not be the last word. Now it is time for the citizens to speak and be heard.

Are the (Amarillo) Citizens for Property Rights so far to the right and are the commission and planners so far to the left as evidenced by their socialistic agenda to seize and control individual property rights?

The UN program referred to by the commissioners was rejected by our own federal government which is a surprise in itself. Rejection at the federal level should indicate that sustainable growth may have some serious flaws. But, I am sure that our local mayor, commission and planners have done due diligence to ensure that our property rights will not be compromised.

Commissioner (Ron) Boyd's comment as to how to accommodate newcomers to the city and how to pay for the new growth is interesting. Does the city earn money or take money from its citizens through taxes, fines and fees?

The benign comprehensive plan will soon blossom into the monster it was created to become. But the lefties and the greenies will love it complete with drainage fees, bicycle paths and mandatory recycling to come soon to a recycling bin near you. Will the recycling bins create a need for a new service and additional fees?

Are we experiencing creeping socialism? When the government, any form of government: city, state, or federal, confiscates your personal property for the good of the many that is socialism. By imposing rules and regulations to control and diminish your rights as a property owner the government is coming through the back door. Did the change in a small country in Europe in the 1930s occur with such small revocation of personal rights until the government became so powerful that the will of the people was no longer a factor to restrain the government and its need for absolute power? Amarillo is not a European country but we are being led down the path to a socialistic utopia.

If the ordinances and plans adopted by the city are benign and good for the citizens, the city leaders should encourage that everyone should sign the petitions in order that the citizens can express their support or non-support by placing the items in question to a true vote by the citizens at the ballot box.

Acceptance or rejection of these plans and proposals should be made by the voters. If the voters choose to give up their rights, then it is the will of the people. If we choose to believe that any form of government or committee or commission will look out for our best interests one only has to look at our elected officials in Washington. Is our country in better shape after the special deals that have been made in Washington? We will be paying for our government's mistakes for a long time to come. How long will it take us locally to pay for what is to come from our local visionaries? Taxes, fines and fees are seldom removed or reduced once they are instituted. Sign the petitions and bring the issues to a vote by the people whose lives will be affected by the commission's actions.

We have been called conspiracy theorists, crazy right wingers, and an unruly mob by the Commission. Saul Alenski. Doesn't that sound like the good ole Saul "ridicule and isolate" tactic? What comes next? Are we dealing with elected officials concerned with our best interests or dedicated progressives with an agenda?

Johnny Johnson

Amarillo