Winston-Salem Journal LTE WE 10/24/12

Flawed ratings

As an attorney for more than 60 years, I never went into court with information that was less than 100 percent accurate or that wouldn’t stand up under cross examination. So I am dismayed by the judicial candidate ratings being disseminated by the State Bar Association.

For the record, I am the proud father of District Court Judge Victoria Roemer. Understanding that, let me make my case.

Of 1,100 attorneys in Forsyth County, Judge Roemer was rated by 245 lawyers while her opponent, who is a lawyer in the public defender’s office, was rated by only 95.

It is a fact that any judge who has heard as many cases as Judge Roemer has displeased a number of attorneys by finding for the other side. Her opponent does not face this problem, as he has never issued a single ruling.

Judge Roemer also has a reputation for being tough, particularly in DWI cases. With so few attorneys responding to the survey, it is very easy for just a handful to be able to skew the results.

Even considering this serious flaw in the survey’s design, the ratings difference between candidates was only about one half of one point — hardly a mandate for choosing one over the other.

There are other fatal flaws in this survey, but allowed just 250 words to make my case, I have only highlighted the most obvious. It would be a shame for a flawed survey to result in our county losing one of its most experienced judges.

HENRY C. ROEMER JR.

GENERAL COUNSEL OF R.J. REYNOLDS INDUSTRIES, INC. (RET.)

Winston-Salem

The fallacy of the plan

The Romney-Ryan voucher plan for Medicare has the false assumption that individuals can use vouchers to choose private health-care insurance in a prudent fashion. Our recent experience with the Part D Medicare drug program illustrates that.

We chose what we thought was a good program because its formulary included our current medications. My wife recently had knee-replacement surgery and required a new oral anticoagulant to be taken the day after discharge to prevent clots in the lung. We discovered that the medication was not covered in our plan without prior approval.

It seemed unlikely that we would achieve approval in the 12-hour interval before the next dose was needed. The only alternative would be to come to a medical facility for daily injections or to delay discharge from the hospital. You would think that, as a physician, I could have chosen a better plan. The problem is that none of us knows what new illnesses we will have in the next year or what medications will be required. Consider the problem for those who have no medical background.

DR. ROBERT W. HAMILTON

Kernersville

Honor to Motsinger

Thanks to the newly drawn district lines, I can finally do my part in defeating Rep. Virginia Foxx since I can now vote against her. I consider it an honor to vote for Elisabeth Motsinger and her vision for our country. I encourage all those in the 5th District to remind themselves of Virginia Foxx's shameful past remarks and her beliefs before heading to the polls this year.

VIRGINIA BROWNE

Winston-Salem

Lost in the Obama sea

There is no point in writing letters trying to persuade others how to vote. And those who are undecided at this late date are probably waiting for the Mayan end of the world in December.

But my liberal friends, consider this:

Those who are expecting President Obama to achieve great advances on the economy are about to be severely disappointed. This is a man whose party has lost virtually every big election since he became president, and he steadfastly refuses to campaign for other Democrats. Remember that he didn't even go to Wisconsin to help the unions defeat Gov. Scott Walker. If he really believed in his party's ideas, wouldn't he go to the mat to promote his fellow Democrats?

If the GOP is so repugnant, why is his campaign the only one that matters?

Republicans will almost certainly keep the House and may gain control of the Senate. Even if Democrats keep the Senate, we are in for four more years of blame-George-Bush. And after 36 months of stagnation, we get a lame-duck president.

Was it sadly prophetic that Obama was born in Hawaii? He might become the lone Democrat floundering in a sea of Republicans. Alone on his Oval Office oasis, a castaway talking to an empty-headed volleyball named Biden.

HARRY R. COOKE

Winston-Salem

Stands upon the truth

As we consider our choices and make selections that will impact not only our future, but also that of our children, I would like to publicly endorse Victoria Roemer for re-election as District Court judge. The Honorable Judge Roemer has served our community for a number of years as an attorney, prosecutor and currently judge. I have found her to be an awesome person who is an active listener, a fact/truth finder and who stands upon the truth, principles and fairness in dealing with all members of the public, regardless of their economic standing or beliefs.

I am not related to, nor indirectly or directly benefitting from this endorsement, other than to express my sincere admiration for a truly qualified and deserving judicial official.

TRACY GOLDING

Winston-Salem

Much responsibility

Our government was founded on the system of compromise, where all parties find common ground toward the betterment of all citizens. With this system comes much responsibility and involvement for our elected representatives and the involvement and responsibilities of the citizens. It is our duty as citizens duty to be informed and to elect responsible representatives.

I have worked my entire life; served in an unpopular war with the U.S. Marine Corp; obtained advance degrees that allowed me to be a public-school teacher; and continue to work with students while carrying on my family’s Century Farm traditions. With these qualifications, I encourage everyone to vote during this and every election.

Too many citizens have given their full measure to give us this right.

Please show your support and vote.

WAYNE WOOSLEY

Pfafftown

Consider these questions

Sure, it’s important who represents the 5th District, but it’s only one seat out of the House’s 435, right? But remember the important questions are: What jobs will be available in the future? Will they be meaningful jobs that can support our families? Will careers here be attainable?

Let’s consider those questions when voting. Our changing economy requires more specialized education. College and training costs of all types keep rising. States keep cutting spending. Public colleges lose support, forcing students to keep paying more, often for less. Private schools, some excellent and reasonable, are often exorbitant for-profit shams.

Rep. Virginia Foxx states that the rise in the cost of higher education is a problem, but rejects what she calls, “loan-forgiveness gimmicks or a federal takeover of the student-loan industry.” She worked her way through school, but has little tolerance for people who graduate with large debt because “there’s no reason for that.” Reality check: Many tuitions have gone up over 25 times since her day.

It’s Foxx who must deal with this enormous crisis as chair of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education. She feels students — our future — should be on their own, while even part-time jobs are scarce. Clearly for her, aid for our students’ educational expenses ranks way below debt relief.

Her opponent, Elisabeth Motsinger, served on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board and understands that helping successfully educate young people can keep the 5th District flourishing. So vote for our community's sake.

DAVE FERGUSSON

Winston-Salem

Biden next?

So the Journal editorial board endorses President Obama (“Obama is the best choice for president,” Oct. 14). What a shocker!

Well, I suppose $4 a gallon gas, millions out of work, thousands of homes foreclosed on, $16 trillion in debt, support of gay marriages and forced Obamacare must be good policies to run on.

But then again, not much else in this country makes sense anymore. By the way, you folks do realize that Vice President Joe Biden is next in line for the presidency, don’t you?

LARRY DOWELL

Mount Airy

Endorsement disappointment

I was very disappointed on Oct. 14 when I read that you had endorsed President Obama for re-election (“Obama is the best choice for president”). He has not kept his words from four years ago, has not provided leadership and has endorsed same-sex marriage. We definitely need a change.

We need a president who will be honest and help American to be known as “the Christian nation” again. May God help us in this task.

P.B. MOORE

Kernersville

Civil Rights and Democrats

I must respectfully disagree with some of the points made in the letter “A proud Republican” (Oct. 13).

The writer stated that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were opposed by nearly the entire Democratic Party. The truth is that 152 Democrats in the House voted for the civil-rights bill in addition to 138 Republicans. In the Senate, 46 Democrats voted for the bill in addition to 27 Republicans.

As for the voting-rights bill, 221 House Democrats and 112 House Republicans voted for it and in the Senate, 47 Democrats joined 30 Republicans in voting for it.

While it is true that Southern segregationist Democrats opposed the legislation, their days as Democrats were numbered. Lyndon Johnson’s prophetic statement to his aide Bill Moyers would come true. President Johnson told Moyers that because of his support of civil and voting rights legislation, he may have turned over the South to the Republican Party.

Indeed. In 1964, Strom Thurmond finally switched political affiliation to the GOP. This began a massive migration of conservative segregationist Democrats to their newfound home in the Republican Party. Republicans welcomed the converts as they envisioned a conservative and preponderantly white national party.

It is difficult to find a moderate Republican today. Rush Limbaugh and other right-wing spokespersons treat moderates with disdain. There is no room in the anti-science party for Sen. Richard Lugar, Sen. Olympia Snowe or Gov. Charlie Crist. Abe Lincoln would not recognize today’s GOP.

RUDY DIAMOND

Lewisville

All in good fun

“That man’s only shot two people, and the law states you have to shoot three people. And I’ve only shot two people. Are you available?” That’s what Rockingham County commissioner James Kallam said to Yadkin County activist Moises Serrano (“Immigrant group demands apology from commissioner,” Oct. 12).

Now, I believe Kallam was only joking. I don’t think he had any ill intent at all and he’s probably genuinely surprised that anyone thought otherwise. But I can certainly understand why someone who already faces anger and harsh criticism might think it was a veiled threat. Knowing the consequences of true violence, a lot of people think that joking about treating someone violently is in poor taste.

Conservatives tend to joke more about things like shooting and killing and fighting, all in good fun, not meaning any harm, while liberals don’t, and see those kinds of jokes as aggressive and threatening. I don’t know why; maybe it’s a city mouse/country mouse thing. And I also don’t know what to do about it. I don’t think it’s fair to ask either conservatives or liberals to change their sensibilities.

But maybe a little understanding between the two groups would help. Maybe conservatives could try to be a little more sensitive when speaking to liberals and liberals could try to be a little more forgiving when speaking to conservatives.

PERRY MITCHELL

Winston-Salem

Triad air awareness

I recently attended a Triad Air Awareness event where I learned that when we talk about energy independence, we should first talk about transportation and opportunities with electric vehicles. That’s good news, because I also saw a real downer publication mailed by Rep. Virginia Foxx in which she emphasized worry over gas prices and encouraged voters to continue our dependence on fossil fuels, albeit domestic, along with other assorted energy sources. She’s for an “all of the above” energy policy that will utilize all our domestic-energy resources, including tax credits for clean renewable-fuel sources.

What does she mean by “clean renewable energy?” Well, she goes on to say she supports the Keystone XL Pipeline and increased oil and nuclear energy. I take that to mean Rep. Foxx considers nuclear from breeder reactors to be renewable energy, but that technology has yet to be fully tested.

Meanwhile, the Triangle has installed 20 charging stations for owners of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The Triangle leads.

Triad, wake up! Let’s not let anyone bring us down with a sense of hopelessness that drives us to vote for someone who will continue down the pathway of dirty air, asthma and cardiovascular disease. Also, you can kiss the gas pump goodbye and charge up for 50 cents with a cute dimpled car called The Sparrow. Go online to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEVgG11H52Q&feature=player_embedded

SALLY HIRSH

Winston-Salem

Honoring the Panthers

There have never been any more outright-racist organizations than the Ku Klux Klan and The Black Panther Party. To honor the Panthers for what they stand for — even today — is an insult to everybody (“Read the sign,” Oct. 15).

If the Historic Resources Commission members think the Panthers deserve a marker and if they really believe we are all equal, then how about a marker for the Ku Klux Klan? Just as ridiculous? Of course!

ARTHUR GORMLEY

Winston-Salem

Behind closed doors

So the small-group meetings proposed by Forsyth County Commissioner Richard Linville were to “get a sense of how the board feels,” according to Commissioner Debra Conrad? Doesn't that sound like making a decision behind closed doors and then just coming to a full board meeting to vote?

With all that is happening with CenterPoint converting to a managed-care organization and all that is up in the air about funding cuts, the citizens and families served (or now underserved) by CenterPoint deserve more than what happens behind closed doors.

TRACY WARREN

Winston-Salem

Linville changed his mind and did not hold closed meetings. — the editor