Live Oak — Suwannee Countians, it's time to speak your mind! How? By calling the Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline. The hotline never closes and is your way to let it out. You can let everyone know how you feel -- as long as you express yourself in a respectful way.

Note: In written entries to Rant and Rave, errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation are those of the authors.

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Good morning, I am calling in reference to the person who seemed to be very upset about people not having flags up for the Fourth of July.  Maybe  they couldn't afford a flag, maybe they had a loss in the family and they were grieving, maybe they were out of town. Maybe this person needs to get a hobby instead of driving around and judging people. Or perhaps they can make a nice gesture and leave a flag at their door if it upsets them so much. I don't really think it is anybody's business if they have a flag up or not. That’s just my opinion. Thanks and have a great day.

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Should children's sporting events be scheduled so as not to conflict with religious services? was the question posed in the July 2, 2010 Democrat. I say people (adults) who schedule events such as these and knowing most churches' schedules are at this time too, perhaps wants to speed up socialism in this country. So many now days wants God/Jesus out  of their lives but I for one will continue to worship, honor, respect and love my God and my Jesus! His wrath sounds like too much to  bear. Revelation 66:1-17 and many other scriptures.

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Does Suwannee County care about the veterans and the elderly? I think not. Voting yes to the healthcare bill was a blow to  the elderly. Veterans are not being taken care of by Allen Boyd. He seems disinterested in the public and only seems to be out for only himself. What are we to do? Who are we to believe? Another voting season is open and we have no one we can talk too and feel there is no one we can trust. What do we do? America stand up! Get some new blood in there. Take care of America. Take care of Suwannee County.

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I want you to know I make it a point to shop downtown with all our new stores. It's wonderful and exciting to see so many stores on our main street.

However, as I shop in these stores I see they are having a hard time making it. This shouldn't be happening in our town. I know  our economy is in a mess, but I also see the restaurants' parking lots are always full. So if you have money to eat out with, then why do you complain that you have no money to shop in our stores in our town.

We have enough issues with this community going to other counties to spend their money because Suwannee County refuses to allow our town to grow. Must you give other counties your money for the things we have right here? When these stores start to close, what will you say? I grew up here so I remember all the  beautiful stores downtown. I remember seeing our downtown full of people. you all obviously aren't the same folks I grew up with -- you are embarrassing me.

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To the person that does not like it that everyone didn't have a flag on the 4th buy us all one and then we will hang it. The last time i checked it was not a law that we had to have one and some people actually work and have kids and just don't think about it. But once again buy us all one and well hang it heres another news flash not all house holds have a Bible either and i think its better to have one of those then  a flag.

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States and local governments have got to stop asking and taking money from the federal government!  The U. S. Constitution does not allow this.  Boy, the people involved act like children asking their parents for something.  This is not the way it is suppose to work, and we all will pay dearly for it in the end.

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Callers to 386-208-8314 may express their thoughts, good or bad, 24/7 about community issues and politics, but not about private individuals or businesses. If you prefer, you may email your comments to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. You don't have to give your name, and please, keep submissions to less than 45 seconds (that's about 150 words). We want everybody to have a chance to be heard. Submissions that are overly long will be discarded. If 45 seconds isn't enough time, write a Letter to the Editor. (Guidelines for letters appear on Page 6A of our print edition.)