New GI Bill would be worthy investment
The week of April 7, a delegation of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) ó including my brother, Rowan County native Jon Morris ó visited Washington to tell lawmakers one thing: Our newest generation of veterans deserve real educational benefits that will make college tuition affordable.
After World War II, attending college gave veterans time to readjust to civilian life and prepared them for careers as innovators and leaders. For every dollar spent on the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, seven went back into the economy in the form of increased productivity, consumer spending and tax revenue. Now is the time for our Congress to take action on this, and pass a 21st-century GI Bill.
Today’s GI Bill only covers part of the costs of college. Tuition costs have increased faster than inflation, so that many veterans must take out student loans or forgo a college education altogether. In a time when we are asking so much of our armed forces, paying for college is the least we can do to show our gratitude as a nation. Please urge your congressional representative to pass a new GI Bill this year.
ó Jeff Morris
Spencer
It won’t stop
These folks that are writing in and saying that annexation is a good thing have the right to their opinion, but I don’t know of any single person that I have talked to who shares their views on this issue. It’s all about money, and that’s the bottom line.
To the fellow who said to buy a house where annexation is not a possibility, we thought we had. My family is not affected by the current annexation taking place, but we are supporting the opposition because this isn’t going to stop. We will be next. We are very capable of taking our trash to the dump; it’s not that complicated. (I know the previous statement is very simplified and people will say that there is a lot more to it, but you get my point.)
ó Ben Aldridge
Salisbury
Why complain now?
Regarding recent letters about the smoking policy at Freightliner:
I am also employed at the Cleveland plant. It never ceases to amaze me at the way some people accept things one way and then want to change them. For example, Shuffle Town drag strip had been in Charlotte for decades. Then people built houses all around it and complained about the noise till they shut it down.
Then there’s this person who knew Freightliner’s smoking policy when he took the job and now wants to complain about it. If I did not like the company’s policy, I would not have applied for a job there.
ó Bobby Walter Jr.
Concord
Let a woman lead
Have you noticed that since the beginning of time, men have been in charge of everything?
I keep hearing how it’s time for a change, and I agree ó but not to another man (especially one with ties to so many people that hate America). The economy is at its worst. You have to choose between gas and groceries because of high prices. We can thank the illegals for part of the problem. They’re the ones bankrupting hospitals with free medical care.
So, yes, it’s time for a change. A woman! Women have always had to be the strong ones in the family, raising kids, taking care of sick family members, balancing home budgets, all while working a full-time job themselves.
Who is better to lead this country? Hillary Clinton! The only one with knowledge of important issues and the experience to be president.
S.O.S. (Save our States). Vote Hillary!
ó Connie Fink
Salisbury
More variety needed
I just received the sample ballot for the primary election sent out by the Board of Elections. The Rowan commission candidates sent up a “red flag.” With two seats to be filled, do we need a whole commission made up of state and county employees or former employees?
Chad Mitchell, Rowan-Salisbury School System; Jon Barber, RSSS; and Tina Hall, retired from the RSSS, will remain on the commission until 2010. If we elect either Ken Deal, Rowan County employee; Raymond Coltrain, retired N.C. Department of Agriculture; Ralph Walton, retired RSSS; or Terry Julian, retired Rowan County employee, the whole commission would consist of current or retired government workers.
I’m sure these candidates are fine people, but we need new faces from the business and private sector to represent a cross-section of citizens. Please consider voting for two candidates who don’t depend on the county or state for their livelihood.
ó John Foster
Salisbury
Endorsement letters
Letters commenting on candidates in the May 6 primary should be limited to 150 words and must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m. April 30.