Winston-Salem Journal LTE SU 12/16/12

Delivered on time

I want to wish Merry Christmas to all of the Journal's staff and especially to the many carriers who work so hard to get the papers delivered on time every day. And a special shout-out to my carrier, Eula M. Hutchens. Thank you for the beautiful and thoughtful Christmas message.

ERVIN WALLER

Advance

Irony

I have been reminded recently of the so-called war on women, perpetrated during the recent election cycle against many conservative candidates and supported by the Democratic National Convention and, among others, President Obama. What I find ironic is that the real war on women plays out daily in the lyrics of hip-hop music and its culture.

And yes, the same President Obama has both supported and glorified the artists of that culture. Can you say, “snookered”?

JO ANN STEGALL

Winston-Salem

An economy for all

An economy that benefits the few at the cost of the many, or that demands the surrender of the human rights of any, is worth nothing. An economy for the survival of all, if not the prosperity of all, is worth everything — as long as everyone retains their human rights.

If an individual can only be a person by being a slave, he or she would be better off in a fight to the death with his or her captor. For slavery, no matter its form, can never be accepted by human beings as either a temporary or tolerable solution. Death is better. Freedom has no substitutes.

Until nations or democracies achieve a fair distribution that creates a large middle class, democracy is but a wish or a slogan.

History’s journey from the domination of wealth will not become liberty and justice for all until the wealthy become part of the people, not the ruler of the people.

MARCIALITO CAM

Winston-Salem

After the election

Mitt Romney lost because it is impossible to compete against “free stuff.” Plus, there were too many people who stayed home. President Obama got fewer votes than Sen. John McCain in 2008. When you have 47 million people getting free stuff, there is no way you can win; even Ronald Reagan could not win today.

Tens of million, courtesy of Obama, received two years of unemployment benefits, food stamps, government-paid mortgages and government jobs, which is irresistible. Now there are those who are in need and deserve help, but there are many who do not. Almost one-half of the population doesn't care about high taxes, creating jobs or money borrowed from China. They just want “stuff” at someone else's expense.

So Republicans or conservatives have no chance of winning against overwhelming odds. Too many people voted with their hearts and not with their heads. Obama did not have to defend his second-term agenda; he just had to make Romney look bad because he was rich.

I could go on, but Republicans get the message. You cannot continue to spend more than you take in. Eventually, this leads to bankruptcy.

MARION J. HODGES

Clemmons

Community asset

I was so happy to see your article, “Joining a tradition,” in the Dec. 11 Journal. Robah Ogburn's free program at Home Moravian Church on Tuesday nights brought music back into my life after 40 years of neglect. Moravian band music is now one of the joys of my retirement. It's something you can do with your kids and grandkids.

Thanks for highlighting such a valuable community asset.

STEVE ANTHONY

Winston-Salem

Sum It Up

Do you think the economy will continue to improve in 2013?

The Christmas season

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Posted: Sunday, December 16, 2012 12:00 am

Rebecca Minor/Correspondent of the Week

I’m not a Christian, but I still enjoy the Christmas season. I enjoy the decorations, the cheerful music, the pageantry — I even look forward to and watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It doesn’t bother me at all for Linus to recite Christmas’ true meaning.

This seems to be the one time of year when the Christian message is full of joy and generosity rather than political culture wars and stern warnings about Christians “losing” their “rights” (though Bill O’Reilly is doing his best to change that, it seems).

Why can’t it be like that the rest of the year? I think that more people would be interested in what Christians have to say if they always exhibited the kind of generous spirit they pull out every December.

Secular people are not interested in taking away their rights — if anything, we just want the same level of respect that they, in the vast majority, take for granted. We want them to not look down on us as if we don’t belong here.

I have many good friends and neighbors who are Christians and I acknowledge that their religion has made many positive contributions to our culture. But let’s share. Speaking for myself, I’m willing to say “Merry Christmas” all month long. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

REBECCA MINOR

Winston-Salem