Exercise your rights, vote responsibly
       
The time is near for “we the people” to exercise our voting rights. Government of the people and by the people is what our forefathers stated. Whoever believes that today is living in a different world.
There has been enough said about Pat McCory not releasing his financial statements or about Mitt Rommey paying taxes at a different rate than most of us middle or lower income people. Wake up, America. We need people like Pat and Mitt running our system of government. They know how to make money and, one hopes, in turn that it will improve our way of life. I have long been a Democrat, but on the day I decide to vote, I am glad that I can vote any way I want to.
I couldn’t care less about the amount of money Pat and Mitt have made over the years. Politicans who run for governor or resident have money. That tells me that they can help the rest of “we the people” live a better life if we are willing to work for it.
Since I am retired I could be a part of the 47 percent that Mitt so stated he couldn’t worry about. That’s OK, too. In order to help the 53 percent, government will be required to help that 47 percent. It’s time for all these political ads to be done and that is soon. The only real winners here are newspapers, TV, radio, the Internet s and printers. There has been a ton of money made for the future of America. Please vote and vote responsiblye.
– Roy Beam
Salisbury

McGee for N.C. court
 Soon we will have the privilege of going to our local schools, fire departments and other designated locations to vote for candidates running for both federal and state offices. One of the state races we will be asked to decide is the race for North Carolina Court of Appeals between Judge Martin (Marty) McGee and Judge Wanda Bryant.
The work done by the Court of Appeals is not always readily apparent, but it is vital to the workings of our state government and our judicial system. As a local attorney who has practiced both as a prosecutor and private attorney, I would like to recommend to you Judge Martin (Marty) McGee. Judge McGee is currently a District Court judge in Cabarrus County but is well known to lawyers, prosecutors and judges who work within the Rowan County judicial system. After graduating at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest School of Law, Judge McGee returned to his hometown to work and raise his family.
During his time as a private attorney and District Court judge, he has become very familiar with the issues and complexities within our judicial system at the grassroots level. He is a local candidate who would bring a more practical viewpoint to the Court of Appeals, a viewpoint that has been seasoned and framed as a result of working with clients as a private attorney and as a result of presiding over literally thousands of trials in District Court to include child custody cases, divorce cases, landlord-tenant disputes, contract disputes and criminal cases. Unlike his opponent, Judge McGee has been a trial lawyer and trial judge; a perspective that is much needed on the Court of Appeals. I strongly urge you to vote for Judge Martin (Marty) McGee for North Carolina Court of Appeals on Nov. 6.
– Darrin D. Jordan
Salisbury (Whitley & Jordan, Salisbury)

Who is Mitt Romney?
 Mitt Romney has switched positions on the key issues facing the country several times. How are we to understand this? What does this mean as to how he would govern if elected?
The prevailing view is that he has no core beliefs and will adjust his position to satisfy the strongest force at any given time. This would likely result in his acceptance of the uncompromising agenda of the modern Republican Party in Congress.Another interpretation is that what really drives him is his Mormon religion and his experience as a leader in his church and as principal partner in a private venture company. The picture that emerges from this background is of a driven man whose acceptance of Mormon principles is total and unshakeable. This is a religion in which women hold a subservient position and which rejects abortion, gay marriage and planned parenthood. His business background reveals a man who believes wealth should be pursued relentlessly and taxation on it should be minimal . His 47 percent comment indicates the belief that society is divided between those who produce and those who take at the expense of the former.
Which interpretation is correct? We don’t know, and that is the problem. But there is one thing we know for certain about Mr. Romney. He is no expert in using government to create jobs. When his term as governor ended, Massachusetts was 47th in job creation . On the other hand, 5 million jobs have been created by President Obama. And we know he will be tireless in his efforts to help the economy create many more jobs in the next four years.
– Stephanie Derr
Salisbury

Freedom at stake
 In 1791, as the U.S. Bill of Rights was debated by the states, Thomas Jefferson said, “I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending to much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.”
Remember, all our rights, especially the Second Amendment, are at stake this November. President Obama is ready to go around Congress and take away our Constitution, freedom and our means of self-defense. Remember, too, that rights are not granted by government but by God. They are unalienable. In fact, government has power only as we the people grant it. Our republic is worthless without liberty and freedom. Therefore Americans are free to vote out elected members of our representative government when we disagree with their policies.
Our current administration has spent more than three and a half years dragging down our nation, raising gas prices, loosing jobs, destroying our economy, hiding the president’s birth certificate, dishonoring our flag and putting us in debt. We cannot survive four more years.
Remember that and vote in November for a change.
– Steve Karriker
Salisbury
Regarding the Oct. 13 fundraiser for Kenzey Smith at Grace Lutheran Church:
To the Smith family, the men’s brotherhood, Thrivant and members of Grace Lutheran church who supported Saturday’s fish dinner, thank you! A lot of folks put in a lot of hard work to show their love and support, including traffic directors, golf cart providers and drivers, cooks, servers, andpeople who delivered meals.
I know a lot of folks at Grace, and coming from a family of Locke retired firefighters and EMT-first responders, my thoughts and prayers are with all who serve the community. You showed God’s love,and we hope you felt our love. Thank you, and God bless anyone who helps folks that need it.
If you do a fundraiser, attend or donate, thank you, too. A hug doesn’t cost a penny but it’s worth a million to someone who needs it.
– Glenda B. Shrewsbury
Salisbury

 Endorsement deadline
 Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 6 election must be received at the Salisbury Post by 5 p.m., Oct. 30.