Power grab
There are many issues I would like to address, but the power grab in Raleigh will probably have the most significant impact on me, my family and my state.
Since coming to office last month, the blatant power grab by Gov. Pat McCrory and his fellow politicians has been swift, shortsighted and potentially damaging to our state. An example is Senate Bill 10 (“Republicans push to remake key panels,” Feb. 6). If passed, this bill would remove professionals with knowledge and experience in each area, such as utilities and natural resources, to be replaced by McCrory’s cronies — say from Duke Energy, where he served as a “consultant” for so long? Do we really want the industry that shuns wind and solar and supports coal-fired power plants to be making our utility policies?
We heard recently that Duke has requested the third rate increase since 2009. Is this how McCrory plans to pay back the cronies and the citizens? We need people serving on these commissions who aren’t bound to special interests or have a financial stake in the rules and regulations they’ll be creating or dismantling.
I hope every citizen will urge their senators, representatives and governor to oppose SB10.
ANNE MARKEY JONES
Winston-Salem
Not unlimited
The Second Amendment right to bear arms is not unlimited. The courts have constitutionally limited our access to weapons for years. For example, it’s illegal for a private citizen to own a tank, howitzer, machine gun, hand grenade or land mine.
In District of Columbia vs. Heller, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a very conservative “strict constructionist,” stated in his majority opinion that the Second Amendment right is not absolute and that legislators can abridge that right for the good of the general public.
Since handguns, assault rifles and high capacity magazines are not useful for hunting and are only useful as weapons against people, there is no reason for them to be legal and certainly no reason for people to carry them on the street.
Government legally abridges our individual rights in favor of the general public in lots of ways. We are constrained to drive on the right side of the road and obey traffic signals and speed limits to promote the general good. We have also limited smokers’ rights in favor of the majority. I have a right to feel safe in my community and widespread murder weapons carried on the street and in public parks make me less safe, not more.
Guns do not build community; they divide us. Whatever isn’t useful for hunting and target sport should be banned for the general good.
KENNETH R. OSTBERG
Winston-Salem
Government spending
In his Jan. 31 column “Not that bleak,” Cal Thomas quoted Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana saying, “Government spending still does not grow our economy.” Well, a Commerce Department report refutes the governor’s assertion. It states that GDP shrunk one-tenth of 1 percent in the last quarter, largely because of the reduction of spending by the Pentagon.
Economists argue that during a recession, the consumers have less to spend, and the government has to step in to boost the economy. Just look at what the prime minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, did. He implemented an austerity plan and slashed public spending. He ended up with a double-dip recession.
The Obama Administration did the opposite and saw a steady, albeit slow, recovery from the recession. Economists fault the administration for not having a bigger stimulus package and the Republican obstruction of the American Job Act to improve U.S. infrastructures.
Also, the governor ignores the inconvenient fact that government research grants boost the economy by creating new technology and new products. A lot of new drugs are the direct results of government research grants which provide jobs to numerous research scientists.
BOON T. LEE
Winston-Salem
Big changes
In reference to the article “New health care markets on the way” (Jan. 28), I certainly agree with many of the observations. I am especially fond of “If all this sounds too good to be true, remember that nothing in life is free and change isn’t easy.”
My main concern is that the rising cost of health care has not been addressed. It is this that drives the cost of health insurance.
Another interesting observation is: “Most people will go online to pick a plan when open enrollment starts Oct. 1.” Selecting a health care plan should not be handled the same way we purchase plane tickets, clothing, electronics and many other commodities. It is just not that simple.
“Counselors will be available at call centers and in local communities, too.” And, who are these “counselors?” Are they licensed insurance agents? It is my understanding, at this point that they are not required to be licensed. What is the cost of hiring these “counselors?”
Currently, licensed insurance agents help educate people regarding their health care options. So true, “Buying your own health insurance will never be the same.”
CAROL PENNINGTON
MEMBER, TRIAD ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH UNDERWRITERS
Kernersville
