Think about who’s really making the decisions
In an election year, it’s important to know what decisions in Washington, D.C., affect you and who is making these decisions.
The decision to close the emergency department, inpatient beds and surgical units at the Hefner VA Medical Center did not come from Congress; it came straight from the Republican White House. In fact, our congressional leaders did not even know about the decision until after it was announced in the media.
Now we are seeing full-page ads and radio commercials from upset veterans. Some local vets, including myself, say this is an effort to outsource their health care and privatize veteran’s hospitals.
As an independent voter, I say wake up and smell the coffee ó the Republicans have wanted to privatize this and other federal programs like Social Security for some time now.
When veterans go to the ballot box this Nov. 4, this is one thing they should remember.
ó Agnes Bryan
Salisbury
Coltrain has right priorities
I knew Raymond Coltrain when I worked at the Piedmont Research Station. I remember him as a very honest, decent, fair, hard-working man. Even though he was the superintendent and he could have just sat in his office all day giving orders, he didn’t do that. He was out learning what everybody did and how they did it and what he could do to make things work better. He would stop by every few weeks and see how things were going and tell me he appreciated the job I did.
I had to be out of work on sick leave for a while, and he went to see my mom at her job to find out if there was anything he could do to help me. I think Mr. Coltrain would be a good county commissioner because he cares about our land and he cares about our people. He’s just a really good guy.
ó Tony Kluttz
Cleveland
The voice of reason
What qualities do you want your county commissioner to have? Are you looking for someone who is knowledgeable, fair minded and sensible ó someone who can examine the issues facing Rowan County, weigh the merits of both sides and thoughtfully and concisely articulate a solution? Well, then, you should cast your vote for Raymond Coltrain!
We met Raymond Coltrain 19 years ago when he moved here as superintendent of the Piedmont Research Station, a position that requires expertise in several areas of management. In all those years, we have known him to make solid decisions, display an even temperament, and fulfill any and all obligations and promises. He is a hard worker who accomplishes his goals while always considering the needs of others.
Especially now, in these challenging times, Raymond Coltrain is the voice of reason we need to represent us in this county!
ó Sharon and Jay Whittington
Salisbury
Annexation raises doubts
In a Sept. 19 Salisbury Post article, Raymond Coltrain said “… he would do everything possible to halt a forced annexation, short of legal action.” I know that those of us who successfully fought the annexation attempt last time feel that the county’s bringing legal action against the city significantly aided us in our fight. It seems to me that if Raymond Coltrain had been a county commissioner last spring, we N.C. 150 corridor county residents might be city residents right now. I think it might behoove all county residents to think long and hard on whether Raymond Coltrain will go the extra mile and have your back, not if, but when, the city of Salisbury comes for you.
ó Wayne Remes
Salisbury
Where do we go from here?
There is plenty of blame to go around for the financial mess this country is in. I believe it started from government intervention into the banking lending practices, basically coercing banks to lend to those that did not qualify for a loan. And now it has come full circle and we have the current circumstances.
So, where do we go from here? I believe that for every dollar the government spends of the $700 (or $830) billion they are taking from the taxpayers, the federal government should cut spending the same amount. I do not mean the typical political rhetoric that if we have to cut spending, we will cut so the taxpayers will feel it; I am talking about cutting all spending to foreign countries in forms such as foreign aid, foreign subsidies, anything that sends the American taxpayers’ money out of this country.
We have to reduce federal spending just to stay even. That is common sense. Even now, the federal government is talking about another economic stimulus package (another $300 billion) that will come from the taxpayers. Enough is enough!
ó Tim Byrd
Salisbury
Weigh social/moral issues
In all the information you have given us regarding the candidates seeking to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, you have very obviously avoided the social/moral issues. Positions on these issues are among the very most important to most N.C. voters and to the future of our country!
Our voters need to know that candidate Kay Hagan is unabashedly pro-abortion and has been endorsed by “Emily’s List,” the leading pro-abortion PAC in the nation. Sen. Elizabeth Dole has a 100 percent pro-life voting record in Congress, according to the National Right to Life Committee. All the unborn children in our state and across our land would appreciate your vote for Elizabeth Dole and their right to see the light of day!
They also need to know that Kay Hagan does not support traditional family values. She opposes a federal marriage amendment, defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. On the other hand, she supports allowing open homosexuality in the armed forces.
Senator Elizabeth Dole deserves your vote and another term!
ó Bud Pettigrew
Salisbury
Dole is doing her job
Where is Elizabeth Dole? Could our elected U.S. senator actually be in Washington doing what we pay her to do? It is a rarity in politics in general to have someone like Senator Dole, who spends her time in Washington actually working for our state rather than being here just so she can be seen. Then again, Sen. Dole is from North Carolina, and we do what we have to to make our state a better place.
The expanding taxes and wasteful spending in our state legislature are not something that we would want to take to Washington, as I believe there is quite enough of that occurring already. Electing a first time senator with a record of expanding government and higher taxes doesn’t represent what most North Carolinians believe in, that being having a job and choosing how we spend the money we earn.
ó Austin Doby
Rockwell
North Carolina needs Dole
May God bless Sen. Elizabeth Dole. For the past six years, she has worked so hard for the citizens of North Carolina. In 2006, she co-authored a bill to take regulatory action against Fannie Mae and Fannie Mac, but the Democrats voted it down. The National Democrat Committee states that she is one of the most powerful senators, yet they distort facts and are spending millions of dollars in our state to try to get a filibuster-proof Senate. It would be a shame if we let them get away with it. We need Elizabeth Dole in the Senate.
ó Margaret Bumgarner
Taylorsville
Obama’s shady past
It is a sad day for country when we know more about Joe the Plumber than we do about a presidential nominee. Main stream media has suppressed vital information about Barack Obama’s past. None of the network or cable news outlets has given any effort to uncover any of the questions that have been raised.
We know that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, but we don’t know everything about Obama’s ties to domestic terrorist William Ayers. We know that Sarah Palin’s wardrobe was pricey, but we don’t know the depth of relationship between Obama and the Kenyan president he has campaigned for. We know how many houses John McCain owns, but don’t know everything about Obama’s Islamic education. We know that Sarah Palin has a son with Downs Syndrome, but have forgotten the statement Obama made about supporting abortion for his own daughter, calling pregnancy “punishment.” Obama wants to redistribute wealth, while taking away from working Americans. Obama’s health care plan is a fallacy; guess who will pay for it? Obama spent 20 years in a church and never noticed the racism of Jeremiah Wright? Please consider these points on Nov. 4. Obama’s shady past will equal a shady, socialist future for America.
Also remember, in 2006, the Democrats promised change in Congress. Our economy is the only change we have seen so far.
ó Jeff Hubbard
Landis
Just consider the record
Could we forgo the elegant rhetoric and objectively look at the facts? Have we forgotten that Obama has the most liberal voting record of any senator? It takes a lot to be left of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank and John Kerry! That’s just the facts. Have we forgotten Obama’s stand on abortion? He stated “the first thing I’d do as president” would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overturn every local, state and federal abortion law passed in the past 35 years. Have we forgotten that the next president will appoint Supreme Court justices who serve for life? Liberal agendas will flow freely from the bench, with appointees made by President Obama. Have we forgotten that he attended the same church for 20 years and didn’t know his pastor hates America?
How did Obama come up with $250,000 as the amount a couple can earn without paying any more taxes? Or is the amount now $200,000, as Biden said this week? What would prevent him from deciding that $200,000 should be the limit? Or $175,000? Since he voted to raise taxes on those making $40,000 (that’s the facts), why should I think he won’t change his mind again?
And just more more thing: Can someone explain to me why the 40 percent of people who pay no income tax are going to get a tax refund under President Obama? How can you “refund” what they never “funded” in the first place? Guess who gets to give it to them ó me, you and everyone else who works and pays income tax!
This is serious folks. Do the research. Don’t be fooled by a Harvard lawyer’s smooth talking charisma. The decision we make Tuesday is going to have far-reaching consequences.
ó Renee Coates Scheidt
China Grove
Freedom of speech for all
How quickly James Neely (Oct. 28 letter) is willing to forget the constant attacks made on President Bush during his campaigns and throughout his presidency. He has undergone the most vicious abuse, most of which was based on spin and conveniently omitted facts, and the most hateful attacks were of a personal nature and had nothing whatsoever to do with his policies. Obama actually has plenty to hide, including why he won’t disclose the origin of his campaign contributions. I would also admonish Mr. Neely about attributing attacks on Obama to bigotry and prejudice. Some may regard his views as unwanted and distorted, but he is entitled to them. If someone has an opinion they have just as much right to say so as he does, whether they agree with him or not. Freedom of speech applies to everyone.
ó David Wilson
Salisbury
Bratton has the best ideas
Dr. Teresa Sue Bratton was outstanding at the League of Women Voters 6th District candidate forum. Rockwell, Granite Quarry, China Grove, Faith, Kannapolis, Landis, Gold Hill, or High Rock Lake voters with digital cable may view it on Carolina on Demand, Channel 1234.
Bratton’s ideas for affordable healthcare, energy independence through sustainable forms of clean energy, and reinvigorating the economy by creating jobs with a national clean energy program are excellent. She discusses improving both education and our global image. On free trade, Bratton favors an even playing field by requiring other countries to offer a living wage and protection for their workers. As a physician, Dr. Bratton knows the importance of listening to her patient, researching the situation and working with the patient to solve the problem. She would take a similar approach in the U.S. House.
U.S. House 6th District citizens are overdue fresh leadership. Vote for Bratton!
ó David Rogers
Salisbury
Let us pray together to bring truth to the forefront of this election, not the sound bites and half-truths to which we have been exposed. We cannot underestimate the importance of one vote. It is our duty to protect the values on which this great country was founded.
We should consider change in ourselves first. We should look at what the candidates really stand for and determine if the candidate is really aligned with our values. We should be educating ourselves about the candidates’ positions. We should vote based on a comparison of the candidates’ values versus our own.
While there are many important issues, we need to consider the moral values that are under attack. Our country was founded as “One Nation Under God.” It is our duty to preserve the ideals of the Constitution and not compromise the sacrifices that have been made to make this country great.
I will make my decision based on my belief that we should not redefine faith, family, marriage and life. No other issue, nor all other issues taken together, can constitute a reason to vote for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion. Lack of respect for one another harbors violence, greed and the “me” society. It is my belief that God will not continue to bless us if we discontinue the fight to uphold every human life.
A great nation is built on values. We have too many voters who do not align their vote with moral values, but who vote for their own personal gain, instead of the good of their fellow man. I am counting on all of us to do what is right to make this country a better place, not just for some, but for all.
ó Barbara Causey Franklin
Salisbury