The Lord couldn't stand him.

Rowan County Voter

God fearing country boy that honestly did what he was convinced was right. He did it with all his might. He attended to the needs of the folks in NC. He never corrupted himself with the power of politics. Both Dem and Rep could take lessons from him. He followed his convictions no matter the opposition. That is my opinion but the only opinion that matters is the LORD's.

WF Owens

Very few people ever influence international affairs or events, Jesse Helms did, both directly but even more so indrectly. Without Helm's support backing and help Ronald Reagan would not have won the N.C. primary or the presidency.Without Regan we would still be struggling with a evil empire in a now greatly improved Russia.The decline and fall of Communism will be one of the greatiest events in world history. Helms dug the grave and Regan killed it. The world has N.C. to thank! Ironically it was another N.C.Senator who gave Helms his boost and start in the Senate.Upon announcing his retirement, Senator Sam Ervin later endorsed Republican Helms over his own Democratic nominee.For the time this was an amazing almost unheard of act! But Senator Sam picked his replacement and the world was forever changed. On a personal note, during Helm's last term I was experiencing problems with the IRS. I wrote Helms Edwards and Watts asking them to contact the IRS fo some clearfications. Helms was in the hospitial at the time, 3 days later I received a response from his office.Watt responsed finally months later after the matter had been sucessfully resloved. Edwards? well I'am still waiting on his reply . I never heard Anyone say they wrote Jesse and did Not receive a response. On the other hand I never heard anyone say they wrote Ex "Senator" Edwards and did get a one.

Michael McCoy

While the late Senator and I didn't share the same views on many issues, I offer my condolences to the Helms family. I find it ironic those view were tested when he visited Livingstone College during his 1984 re-election campaign. I'm one of the students that refused to shake Senator Helms' hand in a picture caught by Salisbury Post photographer Jim Barringer (that was eventually circulated via the Associated Press). Considering the time and climate of the campaign, the fact that after 12 years of representing North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, Helms decided then to visit a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in his senatorial district, his staunch opposition to civil rights and the end of South African apartheid, I wasn't about to allow myself to become a "supporter" just by shaking his hand. Since that 1984, South African apartheid has been legally repealed, civil rights continues to be strengthened, and we are renewed with the promise this country has to offer by seeing a Black man as a mainstream candidate for the highest electroal office in the land. While people mourn the passing of Senator Helms the man, we can finally see the promise of what America has to offer by realizing divisive political practices will no longer work on a country that holds so much promise for its citizens.

Natasha X. Jacobs

Jesse Helms was common, ordinary human being with the empathy level of a scorpion. His appeal to millions of his own kind was and is neither novel nor appalling; it is instead a confirmation of the banality of evil.

Signsofthetimes

A true statesman. He had values and a strong work ethic. That's something we are sadly lacking in today's world. Everyone seems to think someone "owes them something". I think Jesse Helms worked to fulfill his service to the people of NC to the best of his ability. I don't believe the MSM liked Mr. Helms very much. I notice small things when people write about him in the news. It seems they always place the negative things first. Apparently the people of NC liked Jesse Helms or they would have voted him out of office. At least you knew where he stood. Well done good and faithful servant. And to those of you who are critical of him, none of us are perfect. I saw him reach out to those that felt he had offended them and they refused his outstretched hand. We are supposed to forgive, are we not? There are many politicians I disagree with because they try to appease everyone and you truly do not know what their stance is on any issue. They go from place to place and according to who their audience is they say whatever they need to just to get the vote. They have no intention of fulfilling their campaign promises. But Jesse Helms tried his best to serve the people and hold to the values they had. I think he did an excellent job. I don't feel that my vote was wasted when I voted for him. He did the best he could. If all of our politicians would work together to improve this nation instead of bickering back and forth, perhaps something of value could be accomplished. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all politicians tried to serve instead of trying to maintain the prestige of holding the office for personal gain, be it fame, power or perks? Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, once said. "I will remember him for what he supported: Freedom, human rights, and a strong and independent America, free to spread its good in the world." I agree.

Larry Wright

I did not always agree with him, but usually I did. We need another one like him, but alas, Dole and Burr don't measure up. Our state, and indeed our nation, are better off by the service he provided as a Senator for 30 years. To me, he was Senator "Yes". Yes, you can keep more of your money. Yes, you can have more freedom. Yes, you can have less government interfearence in your life.

Too stupid for North Carolina

Straight shooter who helped NC folks! Not afraid to stand for what was right...even if that caused him to stand alone.

Michael

Jesse Helms was not the "great man" some people make him out to be. He was a man that spread hate and racism not only across N.C., but across the nation. From the onset of his career, he built his campaign to senate through degrading african-americans. One of his first campaign messages stated "White people, wake up before it is too late. Do you want Negroes working beside you, your wife and your daughters, in your mills and factories?" Forty years later in his campaign against Harvey Gantt, the so-called "white hands" ad, in which a white man's hands crumple a rejected job application while a voiceover intones, "You needed that job…but they had to give it to a minority." Over the years Helms has declared homosexuality "degenerate," and homosexuals "weak, morally sick wretches." Over the years he has also declared in a tirade highlighting his routine opposition to AIDS research funding, Helms lashed out at the Kennedy-Hatch AIDS bill in 1988: "There is not one single case of AIDS in this country that cannot be traced in origin to sodomy." We all now know that this was not true! Had it not been for this man, N.C. and the nation could have been a lot further along in civil rights. Had it not been for this man and Ronald Reagan, the nation would have addressed the issue of AIDS in this state and country much sooner, reducing the possibility of the rapid spread of the deadly virus. This was no "great man", the only great thing he did was retire. N.C. has been better off without him and his FAR right wing views. The strong arm of oppression ended, yet it still lingers.

not necessarily a liberal

he was senator way too long, think of all the good he could have done had he had an open mind. Easy to see the light at the end of his "career", Bono or no Bono.

Don

A very negative man who was in office way too long.

He had the character that we so badly need in goverment today. He understand that more government programs was not the answer, but that people should earn a living. That's why he voted no to so many wasteful programs. A good man!

I did not agree with Senator Jesse Helms all the time, but I felt he always did what he said he would do and he did not hid things from the public as I believe 99% of the politicians did then and now. I felt i knew where he stood and it would not change. Today, I can not believe any of them to stand true to their words