Pet overpopulation is public concern
This election let’s hire people who will work to solve the problems that concern us, their constituents. For years issues surrounding pet overpopulation have concerned thousands of people in this state and county.
Each year in Rowan County alone, over 5,000 healthy dogs and cats are killed simply because there aren’t enough homes for all of them.
Many candidates at the state and county levels want to pass legislation to move North Carolina toward more humane treatment of animals and, at the same time, save the tax payers money. One of the ways this can be done is by offering public financing for low-cost spay/neuter programs.
The state’s budget is approximately $21.3 billion*. In 2007, N.C. counties spent more than $34 million** on animal shelters! Last summer the N.C. legislature voted down a bill that would have given $2 million to the state’s low-cost spay/neuter program. If more animals were spayed/neutered, there would be fewer animals, which in turn would cut the animal shelter budget and eliminate needless animal suffering.
Before voting this election season, contact candidates to find out if they will work to solve animal issues or other issues that concern you. If they are not interested, if they say “The bill is too hard to pass” or “It’s been tried before,” find a candidate who is willing to work harder for North Carolina and Rowan County. Come to the candidate forum on Thursday night (6 p.m., Hedrick Little Theatre) to get to know them!
ó Beth Bowman
Salisbury
Vote pro-life
A feminist was recently quoted as saying, “The only credential Sarah Palin has is she hasn’t had an abortion.” Since 90 percent of babies with Down Syndrome are aborted, the Palins’ baby is one of the lucky ones.
As a former candidate, I quickly learned that the litmus test for endorsement from most women’s organizations is support of Roe v. Wade. Because the right to life is a fundamental, God-given right, I believe government has a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our community.
I take issue with the unrelenting attacks on Sarah Palin’s lack of experience. As a former television reporter, mayor and governor, she has juggled a family and a political career with the help of a very supportive husband and family. She has broken many glass ceilings, but her detractors give her no credit.
This November, I urge you to vote the pro-life ticket of McCain-Palin.
ó Charlotte Gardner
Salisbury
Gardner is a former member of the N.C. House of Representatives.
Swear on a Bible
Maybe someone can answer a question for me. I am sure other people have thought of it too.
Why is it all year long we rarely hear from our politicians, yet here it is re-election time, and they all come out of nowhere telling us what they have been doing for us?And now they have all these great plans. Why did they wait until now?
And then there are the wannabes, telling you all the things the incumbents have done wrong and what they can do to fix it.
All these commercials with accusations flying back and forth ó have any of them really been investigated? Why don’t we make all of them swear on the Bible to tell the truth and nothing but the truth? Then if they are lying, that’s perjury and you go straight to jail.
Then and only then, we will be able to see who is honest and who isn’t. If they promise you nothing and do nothing, then we won’t be disappointed. That’s honest.
So when you go to the polls, you might as well close your eyes and pick because it will be the same as looking.
ó C.P. Newmeyer
China Grove
More JV sports
I have a son who plays junior varsity football for East Rowan. They are having what I think is a good year going unnoticed. Why is it that every Friday when football scores are in the Post, it is only Salisbury scores? What about the other JV teams in Rowan County?
If it is deadline issues, I could understand, but what about a small mention in Saturday’s edition?
I don’t want to take any glory from varsity football but would like to see JV get noticed more. After all, JV today is varsity tomorrow.
ó Kim Wilkinson
Rockwell
Editor’s note: The Post publishes JV results when coaches send them in.
God’s standardsScripture says that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is destruction.” I’ve always used this verse to remind me at election times that I do not vote according to how I feel but according to God’s standards. Most will use the economy, the price of oil, the stock market or the war in Iraq to determine whom they will vote for. I believe that God’s commandments for our nation are not negotiable and that our nation is in peril because we have violated his standards.
God commands, “Thou shalt not murder,” yet we are about to elect a president who will sign into law the barbaric partial-birth abortion act. This act will also be funded by our tax dollars.
In Genesis 19, God destroyed two cities for their homosexual, perverse lifestyles, yet we are about to send a man to the White House who endorses same-sex marriage.
God’s word also says, “He that will not work should not eat,” yet Barack Obama wants to take from a man or woman that has built a business with hard work and give their money to those that have never lifted a finger in life.
I would ask the question: Would it benefit our nation to elect any candidate who is against all that our creator is for?
ó Michael S. Kluttz
Salisbury
Endorsement letters: Letters endorsing local candidates in the Nov. 4 election must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.