For a change, let’s try breaking bread together
President Lincoln was emphatically called “the black man’s president” by a great abolitionist leader and author, Frederick Douglass, a runaway slave. Although our 16th president lost numerous supporters and eventually his life for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, he is recognized today as one of our greatest presidents for this and other courageous acts.
According to the latest report, President Obama plans to have at least 14 Democratic fundraising functions in 2013. How brave would it appear to the American public, regardless of party affiliation or non-affiliation, if our 44th president should hold 14 nonpartisan fundraising events with monies being divided equally between all political factions?
If President Obama were to hold each fundraising event for all parties concerned, such an act would be recognized throughout history for his open-minded efforts to bring a degree of harmony to the halls of Congress.
As it was in President Lincoln’s time, to attempt what is suggested would require strong will and perseverance. For certain, our president would face insurmountable opposition by staunch party members and even the party’s opposition leaders (and the loss of monetary contribution could be severe). But the latter would look like fools in the eyes of the American public. I believe his most difficult opponents would come from within. Considering this is the president’s last term in office, what a grand gesture this would be to “break bread together” and help resolve ideological differences.
Take a moment to imagine the enormous wave of positive reaction this worthy non-partisan act would have throughout our fair land and the effect it could have in other nations of the world. Peace is not only possible; it is our only means of salvation, spiritually or otherwise. It will never be accomplished through aggressive dissent. It never has. It takes unconventional and often baby steps to begin the process. Let us begin, if not with this cooperative gesture, then with one of like kind.
— Jack Errante

Salisbury

Good case … to a point
Regarding Joe Roberts Feb. 11 letter on the right to bear arms:

Mr. Roberts, you were making a good case for the Second Amendment about half way down on your piece. Then the ill advised started. Stick to the facts you were citing and leave the babbling at the door.
— Neil Nurisso

Salisbury