Winston-Salem Journal LTE TU 04/17/12

A mother and love

I would like to share a personal story regarding gay marriage:

Several years ago my mother and I went to brunch after attending early service and Sunday school at our Baptist church. My mother was about 87 at the time. I had never discussed the question of gay marriage with her because I thought that at her age, she would probably not be open to the idea. My, how I underestimated my mother.

After brunch, as we were preparing to leave, she turned to me and said, "You know I saw those two ladies getting married on TV last night, and they had been together 50 years. They love each other, and I don't know what could be wrong with that."

I was awestruck by my mother's understanding of love, Christianity and wisdom. I feel so fortunate to be my mother's daughter.

On May 8 I will be voting against Amendment One and so will my 93-year-old mother. Thank you, Mom!

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JO ANN MOUNT

Winston-Salem

Impersonating voters

The 2008 presidential election saw the highest voter turnout in nearly 60 years, especially among university students and African-Americans. This high turnout did not go unnoticed by the powerful conservative corporate lobbying group, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Paul Weyrich, the arch-conservative founder of ALEC, said in a speech 30 years ago, "I don't want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of people. They never have been from the beginning of our country, and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down." In 2009, ALEC's "Public Safety and Elections" task force approved a "model" voter ID bill as a policy priority for its members. Under the pretext of preventing voter fraud, Republican-controlled state legislatures throughout the country passed voter-suppression laws that would make it more difficult for African-Americans, the elderly, students and people with disabilities to vote. It was as though Paul Weyrich still had influence from the grave.

Proponents of these laws are unable to prove that voter impersonation is a problem anywhere in this country. According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, "It is more likely that an individual will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls."

I am convinced that these voter ID laws were enacted only to validate Paul Weyrich's belief that conservatives benefit "as the voting populace goes down."

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RUDY DIAMOND

Lewisville

For Lowder

For over 12 years, it has been my good fortune to know and work with Gene Lowder as a friend and business colleague. During our years working together, I have found Gene to be dedicated to his profession and the promotion of our community. As a small-business owner, I hold Gene in high esteem for his forthright approach to business in the time of a slowed economy as well as his conscientious approach to problem-solving.

It will be a positive gain for the citizens of Forsyth County to have Gene hold the position of county commissioner. Understanding the practical, everyday operations of a business will assist him in understanding how governmental decisions affect the business community and ultimately the community at large. Many times, the common-sense approach is overlooked, with the desire to be innovative, which often leads to absurdity.

I ask all individuals who are in quest of having a no-nonsense, but common-sense approach to government support Gene Lowder in his bid for county commissioner, as I do. On May 8, the date for primary elections in Forsyth County, make it your priority to exercise your right to vote.

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JIMMY L. NORWOOD JR.

NORWOOD ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, INC.

Winston-Salem

Take vows seriously

We hope that our Winston-Salem community and indeed all North Carolinians will affirm that they are intelligent, compassionate and logical people who recognize that the marriage amendment does not protect marriage as an institution. Married people who take their vows seriously, to be honorable, loving and respectful to their partners, protect marriage. Vote no for the marriage amendment.

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PEGGY AND JACKSON SMITH

Winston-Salem

Election deadline

Letters about the primary election must be received at the Journal by 5 p.m. April 26 to be considered for publication. Campaign workers and family members should please acknowledge their relationship when they write.