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LocalObituariesViola Faye Smith ‘Granny’Viola Faye Smith, 89, of Coahoma passed away April 6, 2014.She was born Jan. 12, 1925, in Coahoma, Texas, to John and MyrtleKerr.Services will be held at 2 p.m.Friday, April 11, 2014, at LaurelLand Funeral Home, 6000 S R LThornton Fwy, Dallas, Texas,with graveside services at LaurelLand Cemetery Field of Honors.She married Colley Smith onApril 4, 1954. She was married 55 years and was alongtime resident of Big Spring, Texas. Colley andSUNDAY Alcoholics Anonymous closed meetingfrom 11 a.m. to noon at615 Settles. Open meeting 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.MONDAY Alcoholics Anonymous open discussionmeeting, noon-1 p.m.,615 Settles. VA Alcoholics Anonymous support group,7-8 p.m., Veterans Healing Center. Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) TX 0021meets at First ChristianChurch at 10th and Goliad, in the dining hall onthe east side of the building. Weigh-in starts at2:50 p.m. and meetingstarts at 3 p.m. We havea different programeach week. For moreinformation, please call517-4922 or 935-6306. Circle of Hope, a Celebrate Recovery group,meets at 6:30-8 p.m. atSpring Creek Fellowship, located in the College Park Shopping Center. Celebrate Recoveryis a Christ-centeredrecovery program dealing with life’s hang-ups,hurts and habits, covering many areas. Circleof Hope group is a ministry of Spring CreekToday's WeatherViola then resided at Log Cabin City, Texas, afterColley retired from the city of Dallas, Texas.She spent most of her life as a wife, mother andgrandmother. She was preceded in death by herhusband, Colley; her daughter, Nora Andrews; herson, Dwayne; as well as three brothers and one sister.Those left to celebrate her life are her son, Arnoldand wife Rose McCollaum; and six grandchildren,She was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren andmany family and friends.The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at Laurel Land Funeral Home.The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.laulerlanddallas.comPolice/Sheriff/EMSThe Big Spring Police Department reported the following activity between 7 a.m. Thursdayand 7 a.m. today: MELINDA ANN GONZALEZ,27, of 4201 W. Highway 80 No. 10,was arrested Thursday on a warrant for driving while license invalid and public intoxication. PAUL RAY FLANNELL, 56,of 206 Galveston St., was arrestedThursday on a charge of publicintoxication. MARCEL ANTHONY JORDAN, 30, of 1401 N. Highway 87No. 1003, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession ofa controlled substance less than1 gram, no drivers license whenunlicensed – two counts, failed tomaintain financial responsibilityand fail to appear – three counts. CYNTHIA JEAN WHITE, 49,of 1502 W. 3rd St., was arrestedThursday on charges of theftgreater than or equal to 500 butless than 1,500 shoplifting andtheft greater than or equal to 50but less than 500 shoplifting. HARVEY WAYNE KISER, 74,of 300 Veterans Blvd., was arrested Thursday on a charge of theftgreater than or equal to 50 butless than 500 shoplifting. VICTOR ALFONSO VALLEJO-ROJAS, 24, of 1111 N. Inglewood, Liberty, Texas, was arrested Thursday on a charge ofsexual assault on a child.SATURDAY Alcoholics Anonymous open discussionmeeting, 615 Settles,noon to 1 p.m. Open podium/speakers meeting8 p.m. until 9 p.m. Openbirthday night, no smoking meeting the last Saturday of each month at8 p.m. Covered dish supper at 7 p.m.Big Spring HeraldFriday, April 11, 2014 VICTORHERNANDEZZAMORA, 37, of 1002 N. Main,was arrested Thursday on warrants from another agency. THEFT was reported at the200 block of W. FM 700, the 2100block of Wasson, the 200 block ofCarey, the 1300 block of Elm, the2000 block of Gregg. BURGLARY OF A BUILDINGwas reported at the 300 block of S.Austin St. BURGLARY OF A HABITATION was reported at the 100block of E. 6th St., the 1800 blockof Martin Luther King Blvd., the1000 block of E. 15th St., and the1500 block of Johnson. ASSAULT was reported at the1400 block of Stadium. MINOR ACCIDENT was reported at the intersection of Colgate and Bucknell. STOLEN VEHICLE was reported at the 1200 block of Lindbergh St.The Howard County Sheriff’soffice reported the following activity between 7 a.m. Thursdayand 7 a.m. today:Note – Officials with the Howard County Jail reported having72 inmates at the time of this report. MARCEL ANTHONY JORDAN was booked by BSPD oncharges on no drivers licensewhen unlicensed – two counts,violate promise to appear, possession of controlled substanceless than 1 gram, fail to maintainfinancial responsibility, fail toappear – three counts. CYNTHIA WHITE was bookedby BSPD on charges of theft ofproperty – two counts. VICTORHERNANDEZZAMORA was booked by HCSOon charges of sexual assault –four counts. ROBERTY CHARLES JOHNSON was booked by HCSO oncharges of delivery of controlledsubstance 3 less than 1 gram. HARVEY WAYNE KISER wasbooked by BSPD on a charge oftheft of property. BRENDA ANN WATKINSwas booked by Glasscock Countyon a charge of driving while license invalid with previous conviction. ALEXANDER PORTILLO wasbooked by Glasscock County oncharges of driving while intoxicated BAC greater than or equalto 0.15 and resist arrest search ortransport.The Big Spring Fire Department and Emergency MedicalServices reported the followingactivity:Thursday: STRUCTURE FIRE reportedat the 1000 block of NW 10th St. Extinguished.Support GroupsFellowship. For furtherinformation,contactDale at 432-270-8462. Reformers Unanimous International is afaith-based addictionsprogram helping peoplefind freedom from addiction. Meetings beginat 7 p.m. Mondays atTrinity Baptist Churchin Big Spring. Enter atthe back of the church. SteppingStoneGroup of NarcoticsAnonymous meets atBaptist Temple ChurchFellowship Hall, 400 E.11th Place. Open meetingat 7 p.m.TUESDAY Noon — The Just ForToday Group of Narcotics Anonymous meetsin Room 3 at SpringCreek Fellowship, 501Birdwell Lane. Big Spring and Snyder Parkinsons Support Group meeting atthe Big Spring SeniorCenter at 10:30 a.m. thesecond Tuesday of themonth. This is a groupfor all Parkinson’s disease patients, spousesand caregivers. Formore information aboutthe support group orabout Parkinson’s Disease, contact Jo Bidwellat the Lubbock APDAoffice at 806-785-0942. Special Parents forSpecial Children support group meets thefirst Tuesday of eachmonth, 6:30 p.m. at Elbow Elementary. Contact Kerri Rosenbaumat 432-816-3320 or kerrirosenbaum9488@msn.com VA Alcoholics Anonymous support group,7:30-8:30 p.m., VeteransHealing Center.classes take place atSpring Tabernacle Ministries, located at 1209Wright St. Alcoholics Anonymous, 615 Settles, noonto 1 p.m.; closed discussion meeting 8 p.m. to 9p.m. Weight Watchersmeets at 6 p.m. at St.Paul Lutheran Church.Weigh-in is at 5:30 p.m.Weigh-in is confidentialand you don’t have totalk if you don’t wantto. Flexible payment options. Al-Anon, 615 Settlesfor family members andfriends of alcoholicsmeets at 8 p.m.WEDNESDAY “A Journey to a NewNormal,” a grief supportnetwork, meets from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. at 602 S.Main. For information,call 263-5999. RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, achronic pain disease), anew support and informative group meets at213 Circle. Call Lucy at(432) 517-9207 for moreinformation. Alcoholics Anonymous, 615 Settles, noonto 1 p.m.; open 12 & 12study meeting 8 p.m. to9 p.m.THURSDAY Alcoholics Anonymous, 615 Settles, opendiscussion noon to 1p.m.; women’s meeting;6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Nonsmoking closed discussion meeting, 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. Spring TabernacleMinistries has a faithbased support groupfor those who need helpfinding and continuingto walk down the pathGod has for each of us.Meetings are at 11 a.m.until noon and againat 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Circle of Hope, a Celebrate Recovery group,meets at 6:30-8 p.m. atSpring Creek Fellowship, located in the College Park Shopping Center.CelebrateRecoveryis a Christ-centered recovery program dealing with life’s hang-ups,hurts and habits, covering many areas.Circle of Hope groupis a ministry of SpringCreek Fellowship. Forfurtherinformation,contact Dale at 432-2708462.Local 5-Day ForecastSatSun4/1291/61Mon4/1395/6590/42(Main Switchboard)432-264-7205 (Fax)rick NunezBill McClellanTommy Wellsrobert SmithTony HernandezWed4/154/1667/3675/45Partly cloudyskies in themorning willgive way tocloudy skiesduring the.Times of sunand clouds.Highs in themid 90s andlows in themid 60s.Mainlysunny andwindy. Highsin the low90s andlows in thelow 40s.Windy with afew clouds.Highs in theupper 60sand lows inthe mid 30s.Times of sunand clouds.Highs in themid 70s andlows in themid 40s.Sunrise:7:22 AMSunset:8:13 PMSunrise:7:21 AMSunset:8:13 PMSunrise:7:19 AMSunset:8:14 PMSunrise:7:18 AMSunset:8:15 PMSunrise:7:17 AMSunset:8:16 PMTexas At A GlanceAmarillo81/52Dallas82/64Big Spring91/61El Paso87/65Austin Houston85/6480/64San Antonio87/64Area BrownwoodCorpus ChristiCorsicanaDallasDel RioEl PasoFort 69Hi898185778390818082918794807880Lo Cond.63 pt sunny52 mst sunny64 pt sunny62 pt sunny69 pt sunny62 pt sunny68 pt sunny62 pt sunny64 mst sunny66 pt sunny65 cloudy59 cloudy61 mst sunny61 pt sunny64 pt sunnyNational os AngelesMiamiHi7963758273807481Lo Cond.56 mst sunny43 pt sunny60 t-storm64 mst sunny40 cloudy64 pt sunny53 pt sunny72 mst MidlandRaymondvilleRosenbergSan AntonioSan MarcosSulphur SpringsSweetwaterTylerWeatherfordWichita FallsHi868179858491868087857988808484Lo Cond.67 mst sunny60 cloudy60 pt sunny54 pt sunny63 pt sunny63 cloudy67 pt sunny64 pt sunny64 pt sunny64 pt sunny62 pt sunny61 pt sunny62 pt sunny61 mst sunny63 mst sunnyCityMinneapolisNew YorkPhoenixSan FranciscoSeattleSt. LouisWashington, DCHi66679163627875Lo Cond.36 rain50 rain63 pt sunny50 cloudy46 pt sunny61 pt sunny52 pt sunnyMoon PhasesFirstFullApr 7LastApr 15NewApr 22Apr 29UV IndexSat4/127HighSun4/139Very HighMonTue4/144/159Very High9Very HighThe UV Index is measured on a 0 - 11 number scale,with a higher UV Index showing the need for greaterskin protection.0Wed4/169Very High11 2010 American Profile Hometown Content ServiceTo submit a news item,call 263-7-331 or w.BigSpringHerald.comRich History, Big Possibilities — Big Spring, Texas432-263-7331Tue4/14Missed Your Paper:432-263-7331(Mon.-Fri. 8a.m.-6p.m.General Manager. Ext. 250Managing Editor. Ext. 230Sports Editor.Ext. 237Circulation Manager. Ext. 252Production Manager. Ext. 256Business Office. Ext. 255The Big Spring Herald is a member of The Big Spring AreaChamber of Commerce, Texas Press Association, West Texas PressAssociation, Texas Daily Newspaper Association, The AssociatedPress.Published afternoons Mon. thru Fri. and Sunday mornings. Allmaterials copyrighted.POSTMASTEr: Send address changes to Big Spring Herald, P.O.Box 1431, Big Spring, TX 79721. Periodicals postage paid at BigSpring, Texas.USPS 1431-48USPS 0055-940ISSN 0746-6811By THE MONTH HOME DElIvEry: 9.00 monthly; 97.20 yearly(includes 10% discount). MAIl SUBSCrIPTIONS: 14.58 monthlyHoward; 18.33 elsewhere.April 12Annual Health Fair:Dorothy Garrett Coliseumwww.facebook.com/BigSpringPowWowApril 12Master the Mountain5k/10k:Big Spring State Parkwww.permianbasinevents.comApril 1322nd Ever Discs over BigSpring Disc Golf Tournament:Birdwell ParkContact: 432-528-5076April 1911th Annual EasterExtravaganza:Lamun Lusk Sanchez Texas StateVeterans HomeContact 432-268-8387 ext. 1222524082

Holy Trinity CatholicParish is raising fundsto benefit the DianeHerrera family, whichlost three members in arecent traffic accident.Send checks to the parish, P.O. Box 951, BigSpring, TX 79721 andwrite “for Diane Herrera family) on the check.For more information,contact Richard Light,parish administrator, at432-466-9703. Funds have been setup at Howard CountyFeed and Supply andat Highland AnimalHospital for WildlifeRehabilitator MelanieWEEKENDContinued from Page 1Medical Center.The fair will featureseveral free demonstrations,includingwomen’s self-defense,the YMCA and the BigSpring Fire Departmentsafety trailer. A bicyclerodeo and children’s carseat inspection serviceare other attractions.Master the Mountain Scenic MountainMedical Center HealthyWoman and AmericanCancer Society present “Be a Superhero”on April 16. A Lunch nLearn will take placeat 11:30 a.m. and theHealthy Woman event— snacks provided —will be at 5:30 p.m. Bothevents will be held in theSenior Circle Room atScenic Mountain Medical Center. ACS RelayFor Life Specialist Manny Negron will be delivering information aboutthe 20th anniversaryHoward and GlasscockCounties Relay For Life.The free event is opento the public. To RSVP,call Amanda Duforatat 432-268-4699 or AnitaCline at 432-268-472. 1. A fund has been setup to help the Renteriafamily who lost theirhouse from a fire. Donations can be made atState National Bank,Renteria Fire Fund, No.9012478. The Big Spring Senior Center dance isopen to all ages. No alcohol or smoking. Our16th anniversary racewill be held at 2 p.m.Saturday at Big SpringState Park.Registration is 25 andcloses at 1 p.m. A portionof each entry fee will goto the Howard CountyRelay for Life and theBob Fishback Memorial Scholarship. Everyone who completesthe course will receivea finisher’s medal andthere will be awards for1st-3rd place overall andage group categories.TIRESContinued from Page 1and can be used, if applicable, for various projects such as the tire collection effort going onSaturday.“This will wind downour last (SEP) event,”said Womack. Eachsemi (truck) can holdabout 1,200 tires andwith this effort, we arehoping for a combiledseven to nine trailers.That tells you how big adeal it is.“We hope to get a lot ofpositive response Saturday,” he added.For more information,contact Womack at 2642500 or Peggy Hopper at214-773-6775.sudoku253524COMING SOON267-7971258457Living Waters Howard County FairAssociation is in needof volunteers to crossstitch squares for theHoward County Fairquilt which will be usedin a fundrasing event.Theme this year is“Hummingbirds.” Patterns are from easy tomore difficult, so you donot have to be an expert.Squares may be pickedup at the Heritage Museum front desk Tuesday through Saturday.For more information,call Suzanne Markwellat 214-256-1674. Scenic MountainMedical Center’s Yellow Rose Café has beentemporarily closed tothe public for routinerepairs and maintenance. The café willremain closed until repairs are complete. Acompletion date for theproject has not been set.Patient meals will continue without interruption throughout the process. The hospital willOther activities Big Spring HighSchool drama departmentwillpresent“Chemical Imbalance —a Jekyll and Hyde Play”by Lauren Wilson at7:30 p.m. today and Saturday in the high schoolauditorium, 707 E. 11thPlace. The annual HowardCollege Rodeo continuestonight and Saturday at7 p.m. at the Rodeo Bowl.PARKHILLTERRACEAPARTMENTSissue an announcementrelease once the YellowRose Café is ready to reopen. For more information, contact AmandaDuforat, marketing coordinator, at 268-4699. The Powwow Committee of Big Spring hasbeen restructured and isseeking new members,according to committeesecretary Greg Bodin.“The winds of changeare blowing. Whetheryou are a Native American or are interested inNative American culture and would like to bea part of the Big SpringPowwow, please acceptour invitation to attenda meeting,” Bodin said.For more information,contact Vice PresidentRandy McKinney at 432267-4843 or PresidentRichard Lesser at 432935-0125. Victim Services is anon-profit independentcommunity-based program serving victimsof all violent crime, including, but not limitedto violent crimes of assault, sexual assault anddomestic violence. Victim Services advocatesare available 24 hoursa day, 365 days a year toprovide crisis interven-Admission is free. County residentsare invited to get rid oftheir unwanted vehicletires from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday at thecity landfill. Limit eighttires per load.tion or accompanimentto the hospital and lawenforcement agenciesas needed. If you cancommit to 30-hour training, an interview process background checkand attend training.We need you. For moreinfornation, call LindaCalvio at 432-263-3312. The Big Spring StateHospitalCommunityRelations office is accepting donations ofmagazines. They shouldbe brought to the Community Relations officeon campus. For moreinformation, call JameyStegall at 268-7535 orjames.stegall@dshs.state.tx.us Big Spring and surrounding counties arein need of foster families. Foster parents arethe caretakers for thechildren in the community who have beenabused or neglected. Formore information on becoming foster parentsADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE FORTWILIGHT SAGA MARATHONANDor THE adoptivefamilies,BREAKING DAWN PART 1.call the Children’s Protective Services office at263-9669. Crossroads Hospiceis in need of volunteers.Volunteersarethebackbone of the hospiceteam,by bringing lightand love into people’slives. For more information, contact Eva Robison at 432-263-5300 orcome by 421 S. Main. Do you have a minute? An hour? Howabout making a difference in someone’s life?Become a hospice volunteer. One hour a monthcan make a difference.Whether it’s visiting apatient or working inthe office or helping witha craft, you can make adifference. We can workaround your schedule.If interested, call KaraDaniels at 432-263-5999.,or apply in person at 602S. Main St.MYERS & SMITHFUNERAL HOME& CHAPEL24th & Johnson 267-8288253091Captain America: TheWinter Soldier (PG-13) 3DFri.: 12:30 7:00 Sat.: 12:30 7:00Digital Fri.: 3:45 10:15Sat.: 3:45 10:15Rio 2 (G) 3DFri.: 1:15 6:45Sat.: 1:15 6:45Digital Fri.: 4:00 9:30Sat.: 4:00 9:30Noah (PG-13) DigitalFri.: 12:45 4:15 7:30 10:45Sat.: 12:45 4:15 7:30 10:45God’s Not Dead (PG)DigitalFri.: 1:00 4:30 7:15 10:00Sat.: 1:00 4:30 7:15 10:00Thomas“Tommy”Hembree,54,diedMonday. Funeral serviceswill be 11 a.m. Friday atMyers& Smith Chapel.Burial will be at ClarendonHills Cemetery in Darin,Illinois.Dragon China Buffet1300 Gregg268-8888 1.00Off Per Adult.50Off Per ChildUp to 10 People(NOT FOR CARRYOUT) Swimming Pool Private Patios Carports Appliances Most UtilitiesPaid Senior CitizensDiscount 1 & 2 BedroomUnfurnished800 W. Marcy Drive263-5555267-5444Big Spring HeraldVOTE!It’s Your Right!parking lot is now welllit, and we are handicapped accessible. Thecost is 8 per person.April 4 Mike & Friend;April 11 Prowlers; April18 Prowlers; April 25Midnight Express.EXP. 4/30/14253100COWBOYS STEAKHOUSEAND RESTAURANT 1.00 Off Adults50 Off ChildrenSunday Only11-3 Buffet orAny Entree 9.00 or above1 Coupon Per PersonMust Be Presented For DiscountExpires 4-30-2014253098Sudoku 9x9 - Solution 2 of 5 - Very ku-puzzles.netHappy Easter!Phone: (432) 263-5517www.kellynewtoninsurance.com1701 LancasterBig Spring, TX 79720“This Institution Is An Equal Opportunity Provider"MANUEL R. CARRASCO, MDCERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARDOF INTERNAL MEDICINEOLD SoreheadTrade Days 2014AREAS OF INTEREST:GENERAL INTERNALMEDICINE- ADULT MEDICINE SPECIALIST.ASTHMA,CHRONIC BRONCHITIS,HYPERTENSION, JOINT PAINTESTOSTERONEMANAGEMENT,LOW SEX DRIVE,WEIGHT LOSS.Practice is recognizedas delivering excellentcare in Diabetesper Blue Crossand Blue Shield.Flu vaccinesavailable.BilingualServing Big Spring Since 19931501 W. 11th Place Suite 302432-714-4500April 12 & 13June 7 & 8October 11 & 12Saturday 9am - 6pmSunday 12 - 5pmCommunity Center &Historic Downtown StreetsStanton, Texas(20 Miles East Of Midland)Antiques, Fine Art, Crafts,Tradin’ Lot, 2 Howard County Republican Club will meeton Monday, April 14 at5:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Howard County Library (located in the basement)for its regular monthlymeeting. Please join usas we “talk politics.”Gambrell. To contactMelanie, email her atR4thepets@aol.com231377 Take Note A medical fund hasbeen established forKathran O’Brien Grantwho is recovering from arecent accident. The account is set up at Western Bank No. 1012020.Contact Donnie Bakerat 432-556-2186 for moreinformation.3LocalBig Spring HeraldFriday, April 11, 2014By Steve Becker

4Opinion TOpinionBig Spring HeraldFriday, April 11, 2014The best government money can buy“Congress shall make no law respecting anestablishment of religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof; or abridging the freedom ofspeech, or of the press; or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble, and to petition theGovernment for a redress of grievances.”-First AmendmentOpinions expressed on this page are those of the EditorialBoard of the Big Spring Herald unless otherwise indicated.AddressesFEDERALGOVERNMENTAustin, 78768Phone: 512-463-0331 BARACK OBAMAPresidentThe White HouseWashington, D.C. 20500 KEL SELIGERState SenatorTexas 31st District401 Austin, Suite 101Big Spring, 79720Phone: 432-268-9909 Ted CruzU.S. SenatorB40B Dirksen SenateOffice BuildingWashington, D.C. 205104305Phone: 202-228-0462BIG SPRINGCITY COUNCIL RandyNeugebauerU.S. Representative19th Cong. District1510 ScurryBig SpringPhone: 432-264-0722 Larry McLellan,Mayor — Office: 2672711. Marvin Boyd —263-8800 Carmen Harbour— Work: 264-2401. MarcusFernandez — Mobile:816-3923 Glen Carrigan —Home: 263-3207. Bobby McDonald— Home: 263-4835.Work: 263-1234. Raul Benavides —Work: 267-2501.STATEGOVERNMENTHOWARD COUNTYCOMMISSIONERS RICK PERRYGovernorState Capitol, Room 2S.1P.O. Box 12428Austin, 78711Phone: 512-463-2000 Mark Barr, CountyJudge — Home andOffice: 264-2202. Oscar Garcia —Home: 264-0026. Donnie Baker —Home: 267-5325. Jimmie Long —Home: 466-0793. John Cline —Home: 263-7158. John CornynU.S. Senator517 Hart Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 205104305Phone: 202-224-2934 DREW DARBYState RepresentativeTexas 72nd DistrictP.O. Box 2910How to contact usThe Herald is always interested in our readers’ opinions.In order that we might better serve yourneeds, we offer several ways in which youmay contact us: In person at 710 Scurry St. By telephone at 263-7331 By fax at 264-7205 By e-mail Managing Editor Bill McClellan atnewsdesk@bigspringherald.com. By mail at P.O. Box 1431, Big Spring,79721Letter policiesThe Herald welcomes letters to the editor. Sign your letter. Provide a daytime telephone number, aswell as a street address for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit for style andclarity. We reserve the right to limit publication toone letter per 30-day period per author. Letters that are unsigned or do not includea telephone number or address will not beconsidered. Letters should be e-mailed to editor@bigspringherald.com or mailed to Editor, BigSpring Herald, P.O. Box 1431, Big Spring,79721.Daily PrayerLift us up when times are hard, dear Lord,that we might glorify You.Amenhe Supreme Court hasdone it again. By a 5-4vote, with the court’sfive Republican appointees on one side and the fourDemocratic appointees on theother, the courtstruck down limitson total contributions to federalcampaigns thathave been enforced and werespecifically upheldin 1976. What the1976 court saw inSusanBuckley v. ValeoEstrichas a “quite modest restraint uponprotected politicalactivity” that serves “to preventevasion” of the limits on contributions to campaigns, the 2014court has now held violates thefundamental protection of political speech enshrined in the FirstAmendment.The arms race for money is notcompletely out of control. Sure,an individual still can only give 5,200 to an individual candidate ( 2,600 for the primary,and 2,600 for the general) andis limited to 32,500 to nationalparty committees, 10,000 tostate and local committees, and 5,000 to other committees. Butwhereas the old law limited contributions to federal candidatesand committees to 74,600 everytwo years, now there are no totallimits at all.For most of us, of course, theselimits are meaningless. Howmany people can afford 74,600in political contributions? Weare in the world of the 1 percentalready. But now those 1 percenters can give millions or tensof millions. Already maxed outon one committee? Believe me,someone will create another.There is no limit to the avenuesto contribute and no law againstit, thanks to the Supreme Court.Does it matter? Of course itdoes. Sure, having more moneyis no guarantee of victory. Butbetween having more and having less, every candidate alivewould rather have more. Andthey are grateful, most grateful, to have more, however itcomes in — including from othercandidates and their funds,committees, the party, supposedly “independent” groups andindividuals. Very grateful. Youdon’t get a picture in a silverframe when you give this kindof money. You get access and ahearing and maybe a feather onthe scale — not something anyone can prove, but enough for itto be a wise business decisionand not just an expression ofconstitutionally protected political beliefs.And while it is certainly truethat both political parties playthis game, it is not true that everyone does. As former Sen. BobDole famously observed decadesago, every business interestmay have a political committee,but poor children don’t. Thereare no million-dollar donationscoming in from single mothersstruggling to make ends meet,from homeless families seekingshelter, from the 99 percent ofAmericans who don’t even earnenough to make this new decision of any immediate significance to them.As for the argument that disclosure solves all problems, reality is to the contrary. Oh, oncein a while we hear a story abouta clumsy contribution fromsomeone who is seeking federalfunds at the very same time.Sophisticated donors don’t makethat mistake. They’ve figuredout ways to avoid disclosurealtogether through supposed“grassroots” committees that areanything but.Moreover, disclosure is a oneday story at best: an enterprisingreporter digging through FECreports trying to match namesand companies and issues. Butvery few people are around foror follow up on the calls andmeetings that happen monthslater. Moreover, the very goalof many big donors is nothing:forestall legislation to assurethat nothing is done when something should be. How do youfollow that?Democracy should be sacrosanct. It should not be for sale.The venerable principle of “oneperson, one vote” is essentiallymeaningless when a tiny percentof all Americans, by writingchecks and forming supposedlyindependent and grassroots committees, can and do wield undueinfluence on the process and itselected beneficiaries.I certainly support the Founders’ vision of an inde

Autumn minter, center, and other members of the big Spring High School girls' track team celebrate after the Lady Steers clinched team championship honors at the District 4-3A track and field meet at blankenship Field Thursday. See story and additional photos, page 9. Herald Staff Report Howard County residents have the op-