Letters to the editor - Wednesday (2-15-2012)

The Arc and United Way make a difference in lives

Thanks to The Arc of Rowan and United Way services. If not for them, I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today.

A few years ago, my husband and I were in a homeless shelter, and our son was in temporary foster care. Our ways and means were not looking good back then. However, due to the support of agencies and setting goals, we now have our son and better living conditions — a nice house.

We set several goals with Jane Jackman (executive director of The Arc) , and so far we have accomplished all but one. Thank you for the continued support of these services.

— Tammy Smith and family

Salisbury

Check the Constitution

Ultranationalists and super patriots, also known as conservative Republicans, might want to take the opportunity to read Articles 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution to learn about the constitutionally allocated roles for the Congress and the president, domestic matters for the former and foreign affairs the latter. Similarly, this group that is currently decrying what it claims to be a denial of religious freedom should look at but one U.S. Supreme Court case, Reynolds v. U.S. (1878). In essence, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religious belief, not practice.

— Sanford Silverburg

Salisbury

Dr. Sanford R. Silverburg is professor emeritus in the Department of History and Politics at Catawba College.

Rewriting economic history

Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pender and their Tea Party friends seem to think that if you don’t like history you can feel free to rewrite it. Not so.

Mr. Roberts forgets the years 2001-2006, when Republicans controlled both Congress and the White House. When they took over in January 2001, the federal government was in the fourth year of surpluses, for the first time since 1969! The Bush-Cheney administration promptly took care of that, beginning 12 years of increasing deficits. The Republican mantra of the time was “deficits are good,” preventing the government from spending any more money. Republicans expanded Medicare coverage to prescription drugs and got into two wars, all paid for with money borrowed from the Chinese and the oil sheiks. Note that Democrats went along with this catastrophe waiting to happen.

Mr. Pender ignores real estate brokers who sold over-priced houses and bank loan officers who lend money to people who can’t afford to buy them, all for the sake of bigger commissions. Remember “No Money Down!” and “Pick Your Payment Schedule”? He also forgets the investment banking community which “securitized” those mortgages into investments even they didn’t understand. Add in the lack of any regulatory enforcement and you have a financial tinder box waiting to explode. And Democrats didn’t complain.

The result of all of this was, of course, an explosion, referred to as the Great Recession that President Obama inherited. Had he and President Bush simply done nothing, as the right wing urged, banking and investment would have frozen for years to come, the American automobile industry would have disappeared, and our retirement savings and pensions would have been devastated. Many were. As Republican and Democratic economists and business leaders agreed, the president had to do something, and thank God he did.

The entire story is described in “Lost Decades,” available at the library. It doesn’t have any pictures but there are lots of facts.

— Jack Burke

Salisbury

Pierce for Rowan Commission

I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of leading the Republican Party in Rowan County as vice chairman and chairman from 2002 through 2008. I was fortunate to meet and know many great candidates during that time, but was unable to endorse any of them until after the primary. I now have the pleasure to place my support for a man that I have great respect for. Craig Pierce has shown me he has the fortitude and conservative principles to lead Rowan County for the next four years. Craig Pierce has owned and operated his own business; he has supported North Rowan High School through numerous donations and fundraisers; and he has strengthened the Republican Party with his time and generosity. Craig Pierce has made a point to educate himself on the county process by attending most if not all of the county commissioner meetings and has spoken at many of them. He is serving on the County Planning Board and the Airport Board. He has many wonderful ideas for improving the county's needs for economic improvement and quality of life. Craig is a man who would give generously to any cause he believes in but will not accept any donations for his campaign. He may not take our money, but he will take our vote. I’d like you to join me in supporting Craig Pierce for Rowan County Commission with your vote this May in the Republican Primary.

— Stephen Kidd

Salisbury