Winston-Salem Journal LTE MO 04/30/12

Wright is qualified

I am baffled as to the reason the Journal could find no candidate out of five Republicans to endorse for N.C. state auditor ("Council of State endorsements," April 16). The Journal declines endorsement based on "reasons of ideology and lack of qualifications." Did the Journal contact any of the candidates concerning ideology or is it a matter of Republican ideology in general?

Having been a CPA for 35 years, I want to point out that my friend, Rudy Wright, presently mayor of Hickory, has 24 years of auditing experience with one of the largest accounting firms in the world and then 17 years as founder/operator of an independent business. The Journal did not contact Rudy Wright concerning his ideology or qualifications.

We need to be careful about prematurely characterizing and cataloging individuals in the political spectrum.

I believe Rudy, having passed the CPA examination in 1970, may be the most qualified candidate to ever run for N.C. state auditor.

---

BRYSON KISER

Hickory

What it means

What does a "Yes" vote for Amendment One mean? It means that we can choose to believe in God's word and keep our state of North Carolina from becoming another Sodom and Gomorrah.

This is not a Republican verses a Democrat issue. It is a natural plan from God for life and reproduction verses a lie by Satan to distort and deceive. A vote to keep marriage between one man and one woman is a vote to believe in God. Choose God and vote "Yes" for Amendment One.

---

JERRY BRINKLEY

Lexington

For Bost

In considering the three open seats in the 2012 Forsyth County commissioners race, one choice is very clear: John Bost.

After having been acquainted with John for 18 years professionally, as a neighbor and through civic activities, I know he will bring a multi-faceted set of skills to his seat on the commission. Those include integrity, compassion, budget management, a consensus-building mind-set and a keen eye to smart growth.

Those are just the set of skills we need in our leaders as Forsyth County deals with the economic realities of the early 21st century.

My vote will be for John Bost, and I trust yours will be as well.

---

BOBBY W. PATTERSON

Clemmons

Colson's visit here

I still remember the talk Charles Colson gave here in Winston-Salem ("Watergate figure Colson dies at 80," April 22). David Burr made the arrangements and the church was packed to hear his words.

Columnist Michael Gerson is correct in saying that Colson was a powerful preacher ("Finding freedom in prison," April 25). The theme of his talk made a big impact upon me which I still carry today.

---

BOB FAULWETTER

Pfafftown

Cutting college costs

More college graduates than ever are jobless and have mounting student debt, but President Obama is encouraging more student debt — just less expensive debt.

Any student wanting to attend college can do so debt-free — even get paid. The program is called ROTC. One has to be a good student and enter a field of study the government deems critical — and then serve one's country a few years in return for the investment in the student's future.

It probably won't work for humanities, gender studies or ancient literature. However, these are exactly the majors where lots of debt is incurred and no jobs are found. Are we doing students a favor to let them incur debt for a degree with little employment potential?

Other ways to cut the cost of college:

Attend the first two years at a community college — we have excellent ones here, and students have time to mature, discover and appreciate their education.

Work as a resident adviser and receive free room and board.

Troll Fastweb.com for scholarship opportunities — many are available once a student has been proven college material, and professors are more than happy to refer good students for awards.

Lastly, chose a major in STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There are plenty of jobs in these fields that justify taking on debt to complete such a degree.

Debt requires a return on investment. Not all college degrees will provide that return, and there needs to be truth in student-loan lending.

---

MARY McCANDLES

Winston-Salem

Why to oppose it

I find it incomprehensible that a certain segment of society claims that too much government is a major problem (remember "we need government off our backs and out of our way"?) yet wants to restrict who can vote (voter ID) and supports a law that requires a woman who wants or needs an abortion to listen to their lecture (they called this a woman's "right to know" while opposing the teaching of evolution). They also want to force all school children to say a pledge to our flag the way they have it written. (One contributor to this forum even implied that those who don't should be beaten.)

Now this same crowd is in favor of the so-called defense of marriage amendment. I can think of a number of reasons to oppose this amendment, but the fact that this unreasoning (and unreasonable?) group is for it is enough.

---

PAUL D. WHITSON

Advance

Spelling it out

The writer of the letter, "Who really protects families" (April 23), trying to appear clear-headed and practical, writes: "Voting yes to the marriage amendment allows marriage to be defined as between one man and one woman. Nothing discriminatory there. Nothing harming family values."

Now I see why some people support the amendment: They don't understand the English language.

So let's spell it out: Implementing a law that keeps some people from having the same rights as other people is by definition discriminatory. And threatening children's insurance benefits and even their custody status harms family values.

Proponents of this bill insist that it has nothing to do with civil rights even as they deny the civil rights of gay people. They insist it has nothing to do with hate even as they attack gay people. And, obviously, they say it doesn't discriminate even while it discriminates against gay people.

Someone should hand out dictionaries.

I suppose it must be explained to them that allowing same-sex marriage is not the same thing asrequiring or even endorsing same-sex marriage. No one will be required to marry someone of the same sex. Nor will anyone have to stop being married because other people get to.

I swear, I don't know why people get so upset over the idea of equality.

This is how the English language works: Words have meanings. The proponents of the marriage amendment are doing their best to obscure that fact.

---

SARAH KISER

Winston-Salem

Protecting religious freedom

I urge my fellow North Carolinians to join me in voting against Amendment One.

As numerous legislators and lawyers have pointed out, this legislation threatens to harm all unmarried couples, their children and especially unmarried women seeking legal protection from domestic violence, in addition to constitutionally enacting discrimination against same-sex couples.

Supporters of this amendment claim that it protects religious freedom. It does not. With or without such legislation, no clergy person is obligated to conduct a wedding ceremony that is against their beliefs or judgment. Religious denominations and individuals may refuse the rites of marriage to couples for any reason.

For example, as a member of the clergy, I might think that a couple is unready for marriage, disagree with the couple's attitudes and beliefs or think that the two people are not well suited to one another.

My judgments might be wrong and even arbitrary, but existing law protects my conscience and choice, wise or not.

But religious rites are not the same as legal rights. Advocates of the amendment persistently cite biblical grounds as a reason for denying marital rights to same-sex couples.

Religious scholars and clergy disagree over the interpretations and relevance of those texts. However, even if they all agreed, the state of North Carolina is not a church or a religious body.

The government, which grants rights and privileges to some residents based on marital status while prohibiting others from marrying, should not act as an arm of religious authority or discrimination.

---

ANDREW VOGEL ETTIN

Pfafftown

A fresh approach

As an active member of the Realtor community and former elected official for the Town of Kernersville, I would like to personally encourage a vote for Glenn Cobb as he pursues House District 74. Times have changed and it is more important than ever to have level-headed, energetic, business-friendly representatives to do our work in Raleigh.

It is time for a fresh approach and for us to get a representative who reflects our values and knows how to get things done. All three candidates are conservative, hence a Republican primary; but only Glenn has the experience and ability to work with varying sides and opinions to actually get something accomplished, not just talk, write or wish about it.

The N.C. Legislature is a tough place and we need someone to get tough in order to bring issues that affect our community to light and to find resolution.

Being divisive no longer works, bickering and bullying is tiring the voting constituency; so vote for a candidate who is positive and has proven, time and time again, his can-do attitude.

Vote Glenn Cobb for House 74.

---

BROOKE CASHION

Winston-Salem

Time to act

For those who believe that Amendment One is harmful to North Carolina, misuses the constitution to take away rather than ensure the rights of many individuals, or does nothing to protect all families in North Carolina, then the most important action they can take between now and May 8 is to go to the polls and vote "No." And encourage at least five people to do the same.

It's that simple. Staying silent or sitting this one out are no longer options in the face of something that is so divisive, discriminatory and morally wrong.

---

SYLVIA OBERLE

Winston-Salem

A friend of Elisabeth Motsinger

I call Elisabeth Motsinger a friend. I don't think I could have asked for a better one, because she truly is a caring and genuine person. Elisabeth is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, and I believe it is a job at which she will excel.

She has stood firmly in opposition to Amendment One because she believes that the constitution should only give rights, not take them away.

She has served the community as not only a physician's assistant, but also as a member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board, and I believe she has served us well.

She believes that all people have inherent worth and deserve dignity and respect. I believe that she will represent the people of the 5th District in a way that will make her constituents proud.

I will be voting against Amendment One and for Elisabeth Motsinger on May 8.

---

BRANTLEY MARSHALL

Clemmons

A limited and narrow understanding

Reacting to the April 24 letter "It's not about discrimination," I must state first that the letter doesshow hatred and discrimination.

The writer does not seem to understand, still, that God did not write the Bible. He (or She) inspired "visionary" people who had limited and narrow understanding of the needs of the time. It is therefore that women were left out and the writings were saturated with exaggerations and misinterpretations still valid in the minds of many people.

I'm captivated by the fact that the writer seems to believe that only homosexuals engage in oral sex (or sodomy for that matter), and that he piously prays for those who need to change that "different persuasion" because he cares so much for their souls.

The writer should carefully review what Amendment One is all about.

---

CARLOS E. JIMENEZ

Winston-Salem

Children of God

I am a person of Faith. These things are important to me:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every human being.

• The acceptance of each other's individuality and diversity as a source of strength.

• The responsible search for truth and meaning as a never-ending commitment.

• A loving, just and caring community in which we can grow spiritually and personally.

I am voting against Amendment One because I believe we are all children of God. A gay relationship has absolutely no bearing on the quality of my marriage or my family.

This amendment uses a minority to excuse the high rate of divorce and dysfunction in families. I suppose we have to blame someone because it is very difficult to recognize and accept responsibility for our own shortcomings and fears.

"Judge not less ye be judged." God forgive us if this amendment passes.

---

BARBARA EDWARDS

Clemmons