Winston-Salem Journal LTE TH 10/25/12

Voting Republican

I understand why rich Americans vote Republican — they know Republican officials will make them richer. I understand why those with businesses that pollute our air or waters vote Republican — Republican officials place business profits above Mother Nature. I understand why Southern white racists vote Republican — they count on Republican officials to keep minorities in their place. I understand why Christians who interpret the Bible literally vote Republican — they pray for laws copied straight from the Bible.

I also understand why proponents of smaller and more frugal government vote Republican — they have been tricked into believing the Republican Party supports their hopes. But recent history under Republican rule tells us differently — Republican politicians talk the talk for a vote, but they don’t walk the walk after the vote.

But for the life of me, I don’t understand why anyone else would vote Republican. If you care about the poor, and hope the poor kid gets a chance to make it, you have to vote for a Democrat. If you care about our society taking care of our seniors, you have to vote for a Democrat. If you care about protecting the earth and God’s creation, you have to vote for a Democrat.

I don’t fully trust any politician — they all lean toward hypocrisy — but given the options, I vote for Democrats because I think they best represent my views as a citizen and the views of my Jesus.

JOHN WOODING

Winston-Salem

On Obama

Thank you for summing up the reasons to vote for President Obama (Obama is the best choice for president,” Oct. 14). I agree.

Your hard work, getting all the facts together, is appreciated.

VIRGINIA BARLOW

North Wilkesboro

Front-page news?

This is in response to the front-page column “Judge’s courtroom is filled with one-liners,” in the Oct. 18 edition.

I find it very unfortunate that while we are in the middle of an election cycle and an economic crisis that the front page of the paper bashes retired Judge Roland Hayes who works for next to nothing in Forsyth District Court. While the front page reprimands Judge Hayes and his one-liners, we only find an article on the current race between David Sipprell and Amy Allred on the bottom of page A4.

Whether one agrees with the content of the column on Judge Hayes or not, I hope that readers are more interested in how we can make positive changes in the judicial system rather than harshly criticizing a man who has worked for this state for nearly 30 years. Perhaps there could be an article about the problems with the State Bureau of Investigation and how that impacts the backlog of cases inForsythCountycourts. Or perhaps the current candidates’ positions on how to improveForsythCountycourts could be on the front page.

I hope that readers are more concerned about the future landscape of our judicial system rather than belittling a man who has served this county for nearly 30 years.

ASHLEY CANNON

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Winston-Salem

What Romney would do

This is the most important election in many years. The next president will face many challenges: Debt, a broken health-care system, an agingAmericaand the effects of global warming.

What would a President Romney do? He would cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans — like himself; he would start a new shooting war in the Middle East and a trade war with China; he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow a Republican Congress to criminalize abortion nationally. He wouldn’t reduce the deficit and debt by cutting taxes and increasing military spending.

A few billionaires funding SuperPACs are trying to buy this election for Romney, and they expect a return on their money. Never has inequality been greater in our country: The top 1 percent owns 34 percent of all U.S.wealth, the bottom 50 percent owns 1.1 percent. The six heirs of Sam Walton own more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of Americans.

My greatest fear is that we are becoming a banana republic, run by banana Republicans, in which the superrich elect their minions and the rest of us struggle to get by without any safety net if things go wrong. The shear venality of unlimited money for deceptive negative advertising, combined with voter suppression efforts, make me fear for our democracy. For that reason alone, I will vote for President Obama.

ANDREW LESLIE

Winston-Salem

Under pressure

Looks like our Journal editorial board buckled under pressure to endorse President Obama for re-election (“Obama is the best choice for president,” Oct. 14). A mistake was made four years ago when he was elected, with continuing high unemployment and a country divided more than ever.

Gov. Bev Perdue has done nothing to ease the pain of our citizens inNorth Carolinawith increasing poverty and high unemployment, yet our editors are still accepting the leadership of the Democratic Party!

This decision will decrease sales with your paper and all of you editors discussing such foolishness will soon be on the unemployment line. Consider my subscription cancelled!

BETH McMULLAN

Lewisville

The Journal editorial board’s endorsements for Republicans included Pat McCrory for governor. — the editor

What Motsinger will do

In any election we will not always get a candidate who agrees with us on everything, but we need leaders who can compromise to get things done for the good of all the people. This year I believe Elisabeth Motsinger is such a candidate. She has proven during her two terms on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board that she is willing to work with people of varying views to move the process forward.

Rep. Virginia Foxx has proven the exact opposite. She has obstinately dug in her heels to help the current Congress to be the least productive in the entire history of our country.

For the 5th Congressional District I will support Elisabeth Motsinger and encourage others to do the same.

DAVID REID

Clemmons

Romney would reform

I am a concerned citizen of 90 years of age.

In your endorsement for President Obama (“Obama is the best choice for president,” Oct. 14), you write: “On education, [Mitt] Romney, just as Republican leaders here, seems to believe that if we continue to cut public education, we will somehow educate our young well enough.”

Romney would reform education and if any of you do not believe that is the answer, please review recent years in Washington, D.C. schools. It’s a national shame that the unions brought about. They’ll continue to use their considerable clout to keep their teachers in place — whether they’re competent or otherwise.

JANE S. PIERSON

Winston-Salem

Motsinger, the true conservative

I am writing this in support of Elisabeth Motsinger in the 5th District congressional race. Throughout this campaign season, as candidates have adjusted their positions to appeal to voters, Elisabeth has remained staunchly consistent in her views and positions. Her opponent, Rep. Virginia Foxx, has chosen to march in lock-step with the House Republican Caucus in promoting its social agenda, often to the detriment of those very people of the changing 5th District that she serves. All for the sake of (big C) Conservatism.

Predictably, the Foxx campaign has thrown the “liberal” label at Elisabeth Motsinger, but I propose that of the two candidates, Elisabeth is the true conservative (small c). Elizabeth wants to conserve the opportunity for all our children to receive a quality public-school education. She advocates for quality health care for all, which increases the overall health of society and saves money in the long run. She sees our natural resources as precious and in need of active conservation in order for us to pass them down to future generations. She sees that we must be better stewards of the finite energy resources that we have while exploring alternate forms of renewable energy.

Yes, Virginia, true conservatism is far more than the size of the flag pin you have on your lapel and what anti-tax pledges you have signed. Thus endeth the lesson.

RANDALL PEGRAM

Kernersville

Only one job

In reference to politicians promising jobs, no politician, from the U.S. president on down, can create jobs, except those in the public sector. We the taxpayers pay those workers. The only job that the politicos create is the one they want to be elected to.

Conversely, this puts the current office holder “out in the cold” so net jobs created is zero.

Those in the populace who believe that politicians create jobs are sniffing “pixie dust.” ’Nuff said.

STEPHEN “PAUL” RUSK

Elkin

Vision and heart

I invite your readers to join me in voting for Gail McNeill, candidate in District B, to represent us as a Forsyth County commissioner. Gail is intelligent, educated, informed, thoughtful, insightful and experienced, with a vision and heart for Winston-Salem and its citizens. She has had a long career in education and numerous political and community involvements.

Gail would make a superb commissioner, with no ties to any special interests. Please cast your vote for Gail McNeill to add a breath of fresh air to our representatives.

ANN COMPERE

Winston-Salem

Rebuttal for Romney

With surety, no one can say that our Journal, local and world news media, magazines, radio and TV are unfair when it comes to President Obama. He is an elegant orator and very photogenic and we are inundated with his face 24/7 from all entities who portray him more like a celebrity than presidential.

In my lifetime, going back to John F. Kennedy, President Obama is the most divisive politician I’ve seen. Look at all the unrest! The “Affordable Care Act” is going to cost Americaas a whole and us, as individuals, more than we can afford. America is at a crossroads that can be defined by one word: “Entitlements.”

Mitt Romney is an honorable, charitable and business-minded individual who has paid taxes on his wealth twice, first before investing it and then at the legal dividend rate. Who else do we know who, without accepting a salary, held office as governor and then as spearhead of the Olympics? Bottom line, his wealth is legal. He is an intelligent businessman and is not seeking the presidency for wealth or prestige, but because he cares about America and wants to change the course for each of us and our heirs.

I pray each voter will listen to upcoming debates, be informed and sincerely seek the direction they want America to go.

ALICE FAYE RILEY

Rural Hall

Romney not qualified

Mitt Romney is a well-educated gentleman who has had an extraordinarily successful career in business. The sole mission of the company he founded, Bain Capital, was to turn a profit for investors. Romney used his considerable skills, acumen and connections to make millions in order to fulfill this one important goal for himself and his stockholders.

The United States of America is not a corporation, however, and making money without regard to the consequences is not one of our country's many goals, let alone the only one. Romney is not qualified to be president; boss of Bain Capital, maybe, but not president of the United States of America.

BEVERLY R. MITCHELL

Winston-Salem

A gold star

What’s the deal with Pat McCrory’s high-school teacher, Ruth Revels, in the Pat McCrory commercial? He wants our kids to be able to read before the 4th grade and she wants to give him a gold star for that? This is his big goal?

Is our education system so broken that our kids can’t read by the 4th grade? How are they even getting to the 4th grade without being able to read? My daughter was reading before she went to kindergarten — thanks in large part to Big Bird, by the way.

I think we can do better than someone with a vision like that.

A gold star? Really?

DIANE EVANS

Winston-Salem

And the poor … ?

During this election season we’ve heard about tax breaks for the rich and middle class, but what about the working poor? There are poor people who pay taxes. What about them?

DANNIE W. GILL

Winston-Salem

Historic marker

A recent Journal article (“City to recognize Black Panthers, Oct. 14) and online comments in response about the city's decision to place a historic marker for the Winston-Salem chapter of the Black Panther Party were enlightening. Several of my fellow citizens just couldn't understand why the city was doing this. Some wanted to know when the Ku Klux Klan was going to get its marker since surely the Klan must have done some good things when its members weren't cross-burnin' or lynchin'.

I was shocked, shocked I say, because Ann Coulter, in her latest book, “Mugged,” states that there is no racism in America anymore, at least not from the right. So, I would pose a question back to those who wonder when the Klan will get their marker. Which came first, the Klan or the Black Panthers?

KAMRON YORK BENFIELD

Rural Hall

Anti-bullying

After watching the vice-presidential debate, I have decided that after 28 years of teaching high school in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, Vice President Biden showed us a perfect example of bullying, only it was at the adult level. How sad we have come to this and yet we have rallies against bullying and attempt to teach our students and our own children not to bully.

Rep. Paul Ryan has a strong fortitude to tolerate the laughing, sneering and interruptions Biden delivered during the debate.

MARVORENE EDWARDS

TEACHER, WEST FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL (RET.)

Winston-Salem

No worries

Forsyth District Court judicial candidate Amy Allred has nothing to worry about concerning the charge of having once hit a boyfriend with a remote control (“Questions arise about Allred’s past,” Oct. 19). What woman has not had to fight back the impulse to throw the darned thing at a man? And if he watches Fox News, that impulse must be resisted on a daily basis. Way to go, Allred!

Of course, that would be wrong and no doubt it was in a moment of youthful excess.

MAUREEN MARGADONNA

Winston-Salem