‘Rigged elections’ just more rhetoric

They aren’t serving the common good when some of our politicians in Raleigh divert funds from public schools to charter schools that are less accountable. That’s only one of many examples. They have sought to serve their own interests and assure their re-election by gerrymandering safe districts and by passing HP-589, which the federal Appeals Court has ruled is voter suppression. Fraud by absentee ballot wasn’t even addressed, even though it is more prevalent than illegal impersonation at the polls.

Fox News released undercover, doctored videos in 2009 by James O’Keefe meant to discredit ACORN’s registration of new voters; by 2011, voter ID laws tripled across the country. Despite the shenanigans of O’Keefe and rumors by the like of Breitbart News, extensive research has shown no need for the current uproar. Between 2000 and 2014, of the billion votes cast, 31 fraudulent incidents were found. Who would risk a prison term anyway? In the meantime, thousands of legal voters have been disenfranchised by the new laws.

With the safeguards in place, the rhetoric about “rigged” elections is disingenuous. In an article by researcher Justin Levitt at Loyola Law School, he says whether a person believes an election is rigged depends on whether his candidate lost. Remember Florida in 2000? Now North Carolina is a key swing state; we shouldn’t be guilty of voter suppression or intimidation using voter fraud as an excuse.

— Alice G. Brown

Mocksville

 

Let candidates get some experience

I’m referring to the County Commission forum in Friday’s Salisbury Post regarding the two new people, Valeria Levy and Mark Lyerly. They are challenging Mike Caskey and Craig Pierce. Mr. Pearce referred to both of them as trying to “throw the pilot out” and don’t know how to fly the plane.

Mr. Pierce, I applied for my first full-time job years ago and the manager commented, “I would love to hire you, but you don’t have any experience.” My answer to him was “How do you expect me to get experience if I don’t start somewhere?”

The same thing goes for each of them. Everybody doesn’t know everything like you brag that you do. We need a change and you might be surprised at what they have to offer. By the way, the manager hired me and I worked for him for 14 years and am proud of it.

— Marlene Spencer

Salisbury

 

Rescue Squad helps fulfill a dying wish

On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, our family was in need of a miracle and we found Mr. Matt Loman who assisted the family in making that miracle come through.

Matt is a Salisbury Fire Department captain who was off duty when we found him. Once informed of our problem Matt made contact with Eddie Cress, who is in charge of the Rowan County Rescue Squad. With their help we were able to get things done and make it somewhat easier on our family’s loss.

My father-in-law was in the hospital, and based on the medical staff and specialist he was not going to make it. We only had a few hours to get him home where his wishes were to pass away. All other ambulance and transport services were 3-5 hours before they could help. But Matt and Eddie came through and we got him home. My father-in-law was a strong and determined man. He was ready to go see his wife, Becky, who had passed away last year. He was ready to see all his family members that had went before him. He made his daughters and son promise him that he would not be hooked up to any life support devices and to let him die in his own bed. The Rowan County Rescue Squad made that possible.

Without the help of Matt Loman, Chief Eddie Cress and two of the greatest paramedics in our county this would have never been accomplished. You see, only minutes after being placed in his bed he took a couple of last breaths and passed away. He is now with his “Becky” looking down on us all. This man touched a lot of souls and loved his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved people and interacting with them. Never met a stranger.

A special thanks to all the ICC nurses, doctors, technicians and other hospital staff employees. Captain Matt Loman, Chief Cress and the Rowan County Rescue Squad, you will never know the full impact of what you all did for my family. Thank you all. God bless you all.

Please support the Rowan Rescue Squad!

— Roy Beam

Salisbury