Winston-Salem Journal LTE FR 10/26/12

Your future

As a very small investor in Berkshire Hathaway, the Journal's parent company, I strongly object to the Oct. 14 editorial endorsing Barack Obama for president (“Obama is the best choice for president). We are still dependent on foreign oil, our economy is worse, more people out of work, many household incomes are less, his foreign policies haven't worked as evidenced by insufficient protection for our embassy in Libya in spite of it asking for more help (plus Americans not being told the obvious truth), worldwide loss of respect for our country, gas prices were $1.86 when he took office, plus the health-care law is a mess. If anyone believes taxes will remain where they are for the vast majority, join the world of broken promises and “hope and change” of the last four years.

It appears obvious that none of the five on the editorial board have seen the documentary, 2016: Obama’s America, about Obama's life from birth to the presidency. The documentary was in our theaters and can be purchased on DVD. Everyone should see the documentary and get to know our president before casting a vote in this election. Your future depends upon your knowledge.

DELORES K. MacKAY

Winston-Salem

Fair and patient

I hope everyone will vote to re-elect Tori Roemer for District Court judge. She is fair and patient in her courtroom and has even stayed after midnight to complete a family law hearing. Her experience and thoughtful temperament make her uniquely qualified to maintain her seat on the bench.

My colleagues and I don't always get the rulings we might want, but Judge Roemer always decides case rulings based on what she thinks is right. She never plays favorites but correctly applies the law to the facts of each case. Vote for Roemer!

SUSAN H. GRAY

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Winston-Salem

Reporter or columnist?

Once again (with greater frequency) Scott Sexton's opinion column has appeared on the front page of the Journal (“Judge’s courtroom is filled with one-liners,” Oct. 18). No disrespect to Sexton; however, opinion sections are not part of news. A news reporter is required to accurately present a story with factual information and no opinion so that readers becomes informed and can reach their own decision. A columnist tells a story with a very clear agenda and opinion; he or she is not bound by the rules of news reporting (factual or accurate). News reporters (and the publisher) face potential lawsuits for liable/slander for misrepresenting facts, even for public figures. Columnists do not face the same potential for liable/slander of a public figure since it is an opinion.

I am not defending anyone, just noting that Sexton's column is misplaced — it is not news. We have an opinion section that also has noted columnists and that is where Sexton's column belongs. It does not belong on the front page of the newspaper or even the front section.

I have yet to read a newspaper from another city (or USA Today) where a columnist is in any other part of the newspaper than the designated section for columnists, letters to the editor and the like.

More power to Sexton for having the ability to influence the Journal into running his opinions on the front page. Shame on the Journal for not keeping opinions in the opinion section of the newspaper.

DAVID B. BOTCHIN

Winston-Salem

Scott Sexton, in the tradition of journalists nationwide who are clearly indentified as columnists, is expected to be accurate and to state his opinion on the front page or inside pages. — Carol Hanner, managing editor

Understands the important issues

Elisabeth Motsinger will certainly bring a breath of fresh air to our 5th Congressional District. Elisabeth is kind and generous and runs a clean campaign, refusing to engage in negative campaigning, though she is enduring her share of it.

Those of us who have known her for many years feel extremely fortunate that Elisabeth is offering to represent us. She's a strong environmentalist who cares deeply about what kind of world we leave to the next generation, our children and grandchildren. She believes in health care for all children and Medicare for seniors. She supports women's reproductive freedom, and she is a strong advocate for public schools.

Her experience on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board and her work as a physician's assistant give her the credentials to understand the important issues of education and health care. Elisabeth has shown that she can work across party lines, and she will work for what is best for all of us in the N.C. 5th Congressional District.

HELEN ETTERS

Winston-Salem

In defense of Hayes

Judge Roland H. Hayes is selfless, compassionate, fair-minded, and yes, humorous. Columnist Scott Sexton is correct that Judge Hayes entertains his “captive audience” with one-liners that taken out of context might sometimes seem to be politically incorrect (“Judge’s courtroom is filled with one-liners,” Oct. 18). It must be noted, however, that when delivering his one-liners, Judge Hayes does so with a twinkle in his eye, a kindly expression on his face and without a malicious bone in his body. Moreover, he delivers one-liners only in conjunction with fair and appropriate punishment, which Sexton would probably label “cutting the defendant a break.” In fashioning such punishment, Judge Hayes considers the severity of the offense, the cost to victims, if any, and the individual circumstance of each defendant.

Judge Hayes gives careful consideration to the plight of each and every person who comes before him, both victim and defendant alike. Judge Hayes would never needlessly inconvenience victims, as Sexton asserts. Judge Hayes would “refuse to start a trial” only if necessary to insure a fair trial.

Unlike Sexton, I hope that Judge Hayes will remain on the bench for a very long time. Further I suggest that the citizens of Forsyth County should thank Judge Hayes for his service to the community, which he provides without remuneration. He is a man of exemplary character and a credit to the legal profession.

DONALD R. GATTALARO

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Winston-Salem

Simple choices

This year the election choices are simple. For those who want their lives to be run by some politician and/or government bureaucrat, President Obama is their man. However, for those who would rather make their own decisions and determine their own fate without government interference, then Mitt Romney is the one to vote for.

DONALD R. CREWS

Winston-Salem

A wealthy man is needed

If we could tax, spend and borrow our way out of this economic mess, we would be out. The “stimulus” was suppose to solve these problems. How much of that money was wasted? We cannot continue under the current agenda of printing worthless money and borrowing from China. What happens when China calls the “note?”

We need tax policies that promote savings, investment and innovation. We need open access to foreign markets and to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward countries that cheat on their trade commitments. We need to demand that China play by the rules.

We also need to eliminate the federal over-regulation that is smothering business growth and causing American companies to move overseas or to close their doors altogether. A wealthy man can do this; however, the job for the little man is gone . I'm not of wealth, although I doubt that a poor man has ever provided anyone with a job. Stop and say a blessing for the wealthy man. He is needed.

Mitt Romney will initiate comprehensive market-driven energy policies that will encourage development of American resources and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Imagine having reduced prices of gasoline, oil and electric that will ease the monthly utility burden on all of Americans.

A Romney presidency gives me something to hope for and restores my dream. You keep the change. I never liked it in the first place. America was great before this four-year train wreck came along. Join me in voting for Romney/Ryan.

DAVID REGNERY

Mocksville

American values at crossroad

This presidential election has been crystallized as a crossroad for a continuation of American values. The true measure of our country rests with our common values of respect for initiative, respect for freedom of speech and respect for our pluralistic society with common core aspirations for advancing the principles of democracy. Public education has been an equalizer in promoting these core values and needs to be appreciated for its historical and future role.

For all of these reasons, I thank the Journal for endorsing the strongest advocate of these values, President Obama.

FLEMING A. EL-AMIN

Winston-Salem

Mitt vs. Mitt

Attention! All voters who are independent, moderate or still undecided won't have to hold their breath much longer. Mitt Romney will shortly express his agreement with their point of view on any subject, and no matter where they stand, except, of course, the conservative views he adamantly adhered to during the Republican primary. In case you haven't noticed, those are now no longer his opinion.

If elected, he will as a matter of course return to them and if possible make them the law of the land.

FRED P. MULCOX

Winston-Salem

Civics lesson

The writer of the letter “Printing money” (Oct. 18) wrongly accuses the Federal Reserve of printing a “tremendous amount” of paper money to “cover our debt” and dilute the “value of earnings and equity.” In reality, the Fed's job is to ensure an adequate supply of and maintain confidence in our currency. This happens when the Fed distributes currency to its 12 regional banks, which distribute the currency to banks, savings and loans, etc., which make the currency available to the public. How does this “cover our debt”?

The value of earnings dropped with high unemployment while the equity value dropped with the increasing foreclosures and loss of consumer purchasing power, all associated with the great recession. Money loses value because of inflation, not from the amount of paper money being printed. If you think our economy is in a period of inflation, just look at interest rates.

The writer concludes by stating “Clearly we need better leadership,” but does not specify where that leadership is needed. Yes, the president and the Senate are involved in appointing and con firming Fed board members. But after confirmation, the board members are totally independent from any executive, legislative or other political influence, pressure or control. The Fed's independence was created to keep it above political ideology.

Let's not blame the Fed or leadership for our economic woes. Let's do our homework before we make aimless accusations.

GARY MEEKS

Boonville

What our country needs

I have known Elisabeth Motsinger for more than 15 years and during that time I have known her to be an extraordinary human being with the ability to listen, think and make truly informed and intelligent decisions. Elisabeth works as a physician assistant with my husband and me at the Salem Center. She is most definitely what our country needs and more importantly what our 5th District needs to represent us in Washington, D.C.

Stop the gridlock on Capitol Hill, vote for Elisabeth Motsinger for Congress — you will not regret this decision!

ILENE TRUJILLO

Clemmons

Rule the roost

President Obama is blamed for the economy being so bad. If you will look into the ranking of the members of Congress, the majority in the U.S. House are Republican. They rule the roost, so to speak.

Don’t blame the president for what has happened to our country. Every president does his best to make us safe and secure and live well.

JERE DAILEY

Advance

The real story

The Elisabeth Motsinger story by John Hinton in the Oct. 20 Journal (“Dem had ties to guru”) buried the lead.

The real story wasn't about her ties to a guru over 25 years ago, but one about a political race for the U.S. Congress that is heating up and threatens to be very close in the end. Motsinger's candidacy was considered by some to be a long shot when she announced her campaign last year. But with three weeks until Election Day, she has narrowed the gap and there's a real chance of her becoming the next representative from the 5th Congressional District.

I expect to see more negative stories as the Foxx campaign struggles to keep up with the high road that Motsinger has taken. This election should really be about the issues and with hope, voters won't be distracted by any other sensational headlines.

KEN HART

Winston-Salem

The last time

Thanks for endorsing President Obama. The last time you endorsed the loser. We can only hope that you have done it again!

PAUL ARMSTRONG

Winston-Salem

Discouraging ads

Political ads on TV threaten the most essential right of our democracy. That's voting. Those ads discourage voting by telling us half-truths and worse.

Soon, folks on the losing side of this election will blame media bias and conspiracy. Truthfully, the losers will be decided by how many Americans who share important values become disheartened and don't vote. We go to the polls because we're convinced candidates are committed to at least one of our core beliefs and will vigorously promote it.

More conservative Republicans value gaining wealth by not having taxes forced on them that reflect the beliefs of liberal Democrats. They love free enterprise and don't like big government. Not true! Such Republicans clearly love big government when forcing their beliefs on others, for instance, telling women and their doctors they can't do what's needed to protect their health or families. Conservatives say they doubt the science that proves man-made climate change. They kid themselves and us because admitting it's a huge present danger would anger their benefactors, fossil-fuel company owners who bankroll and advertise their political untruths. Free-market conservatives see retired Americans, like my wife and I, as sheep with vouchers to be sheared by health-insurance companies.

Democrats, thoughtful Republicans and Independents, avoid being discouraged by political ads that lie to keep us from voting for Democrats. Our shared value that permits a stronger government that protects — most importantly its ridiculed “47 percent” of citizens and dying environment — absolutely must win.

RICHARD TERRY LOVELACE

Winston-Salem