Winston-Salem Journal LTE TH 04/05/12

Offensive and racist?

Why is the race card played yet again with the topic of voter ID? Anyone has to show a valid ID to open any kind of bank account, purchase a car, get utilities in their name, go to college and myriad other things. Why aren't those same groups and organizations that claim racial bias for IDs to vote claiming the very same thing about banks, stores and organizations and going after them as well?

If we were all turned inside out and all looked the same, then would the issue of race finally disappear?

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STEVEN HENDERSON

Winston-Salem

For Lowder

A successful businessman, born and raised in Forsyth County, is running for county commissioner. Graduating from West Forsyth High School in 1976 and from N.C. State (BSCE) in 1982, Gene Lowder has been a positive influence on our county's economy. His company, Lowder Inc., has employed upward of 75 local workers and numerous subcontractors and businesses for the past 25 years. Gene has continued to be successful during the past four challenging years.

In addition to supporting his own employees, he has helped local businesses by supporting local commerce and completing many local construction projects. He loves Forsyth County.

Gene and Betsy Lowder have three children in Forsyth County schools. His honesty and concern for other people speak well of him. Forsyth County needs good businessmen making business decisions. He deserves your vote.

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TONY GOINS

Lewisville

Freedom of religion

Anytime conservative Christians are called upon to follow the same rules as everyone else, they claim that their freedom is being taken away from them. This "Taking Back Our Freedom" rally is a prime example ("Religious freedom urged," March 25).

The organizers claim that their "First Amendment right to freely practice one's religion" is being threatened, all because they don't get to start government meetings with a shout-out to their god. They can do so anywhere else they please, but this is not a theocracy and our government does not represent Christianity. It's supposed to be representative of everyone.

Freedom of religion is far safer in the hands of those who believe in the separation of church and state than it is in the hands of religious fundamentalists.

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WENDY MARSHALL

Winston-Salem

Finish the Thought

Last Saturday, we asked readers to complete the sentence: "If 'the marriage amendment' fails ..."

* * * * *

"... it will be a victory for enlightened reason over fundamentalist dogma, a triumph of progressive courage over atavistic fear and a conquest of the principles of humane civil rights over needless discrimination."

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DAVE LASTER

* * * * *

"… then heterosexuals will go on marrying and divorcing just like they always have. And the Southern Baptists of North Carolina will pat each other on the back and say, 'praise the Lord we showed them, of course in the name of Jesus.' "

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JUDY WILLARD

* * * * *

"… we, as a society, will continue on, some happy, some sad, and not much will change, one way or the other."

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FRANK SCISM

* * * * *

"… maybe the Republicans who pushed this onto the ballot as a distractant will finally get to work on the issues that they were elected to work on, the issues that really matter, but I'm doubtful."

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JEFF BANNER

* * * * *

"… I will be heartened to know that at least 50 percent of North Carolinians are not the myopic bigots I thought they were."

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KAM BENFIELD

* * * * *

"... then, with hope, bigotry and hate will be dealt a death blow."

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WILLIAM SAMS

* * * * *

"… North Carolina (and the U.S.A.) will continue its fast spiral into depravity. May God have mercy on North Carolina and the U.S.A."

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REID JOYCE

* * * * *

"... life will be exactly the same as it is now for lesbians and gays across North Carolina."

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KATIE BOOHER

* * * * *

"… not much — if anything — will change in our state. Gay marriage will still be illegal, and straight people will still be just as married as they ever were. The amendment is a silly waste of all North Carolinians' time."

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MARGARET WAGES

* * * * *

"... same-sex couples will still be unable to get married; our courts will not have to spend millions of dollars in state money and several years in litigation figuring out what the vague, untested language of the amendment means for domestic-violence laws, child custody, end-of-life directives and wills; partners and children of municipal employees who currently receive health-insurance benefits will not be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured; and the voters of N.C. will have succeeded in keeping our state constitution a document that protects the rights of all people, not a tool for political maneuvering."

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JANET OWEN

* * * * *

"… then heterosexual couples will be able to keep their health insurance, pensions and children if they are unmarried. My friend's 27-year-old son would not lose his health insurance since he is listed under his girlfriend's work policy as 'domestic partner.' A different friend's mother wouldn't lose her only source of income (her deceased husband's pension) because she is unmarried. Another friend would not lose benefits for her 7-year-old son because she is unmarried.

Amendment One is not just 'gay marriage' related. There is already a ban on that in this state. Don't let the state hide what it really wants behind a 'gay agenda.' This would affect everyone ."

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AMY HARRIS

* * * * *

"… it will be a proud day for North Carolina."

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RUDY DIAMOND

* * * * *

"… we will have yet another sign of cultural decline."

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ROSE M. WALSH

* * * * *

"…it would indicate the radical rights are out of touch with reality and swimming against the current."

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BOON T. LEE

* * * * *

"… the world will be a better place."

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ROLAND J. GAY