Once again, our leaders aren’t giving us the truth
What do the U-2 incident during Eisenhower’s presidency, Watergate, the Lewinsky scandal and the murder of Libyan Ambassador Chris Stevens have in common? They are all examples of our most powerful leaders twisting the truth given to the people of the United States. How can we trust our leaders when they are caught not telling the truth? 
One week after the recent incident, we were still being told by various representatives of the administration that it was a spontaneous demonstration caused by a YouTube video. They even arrested the man who produced the video.
After all kinds of excuses like, “It was the fog of war,”it has become clear that the administration knew within a few hours what really transpired in Benghazi. However, it made the decision to not tell the truth. After the truth leaked out, there was an attempt to put the blame on the intelligence community. Secretary Clinton finally tried to take responsibility to deflect blame away from the president. The decision to continue the “video story” was a coordinated effort to cover up the truth for over a week. This premeditated attack of our consulate on 9-11-2012 killed four Americans, and was carried out by a group of heavily armed terrorists, not a spontaneous mob. 
This brings into focus a tremendous problem in the Middle East.The leaders of Egypt and Libya were certainly not saints; however, by aiding their removal we have handed those nations over to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. The situation has now gone from bad to worse. 
Those who would say that we are promoting democracy in the Middle East may want to look a little deeper at what has actually transpired, instead of repeating the rhetoric.
— Joe D. Teeter
Gold Hill

Vote for Tedesco, Wagner
I’m voting for John Tedesco, a member of the Wake County School Board and a concerned parent.
Today, 1 out of 5 N.C. children don’t graduate on time annually; many children who do graduate need to take remedial classes for math and reading in college; nearly 50 percent of our minority children cannot read at grade level, and North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation in suspensions with a serious school-to-prison pipeline that erodes local communities.
The status quo isn’t working. Our children deserve better.
As superintendent of Public Instruction, Tedesco will work to expand vocational education, end social promotions and establish high expectations for all children. He will work to empower parents and support our teachers. We must attract the best and brightest to our teaching ranks, and be willing to serve the best teachers with merit-based pay. 
It is not just about how much money we spend, but how we spend that money. His opponent has been entrenched in the Department of Public Instruction bureaucracy since 1976 and has been Superintendent for eight years. The choice is clear. If you want to help prepare our children for the world ahead, please vote for John Tedesco.
I’ve spoken with Josh Wagner, and his passion for the students and educational success of Rowan County is evident. As a Rowan County native and Catawba College graduate, Josh believes that Rowan can do more. He’s dedicated to putting students before the agenda of school system administration. He’s committed to establishing a positive and open relationship between the school board and county commissioners. Josh believes money should be spent in the classroom, not on pet projects and inflated salaries that support those projects. If you believe Rowan can benefit from new ideas and new direction, please support Josh Wagner for Rowan-Salisbury school board.
— Kathy Yost
Rockwell

Obama’s gun grab 
During the second debate, someone in the audiance asked about the Obama administration’s failed “Fast and Furious” operation that allowed 2,000 AR-15s to go to the Mexican cartels so they could turn around and blame the Second Amendment. Mr.Obama never answers or accepts responsibilty for the hundreds of Mexicans murdered and admits he wants to ban semiautomatic guns and, especially, keep mentally ill people from purchasing weapons. The only problem with that is, anyone who disagrees with socialism will be deemed mentally ill. Just like Department of Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano said domestic terrorists include groups like Tea Party folks, returning war veterans or Ron Paul supporters … People who believe in protecting the Constitution are portrayed as crazed radicals.
— Randy K. Smith
Salisbury

Shoemaker for board
I just wanted to take a few minutes to let you and your readers know about Barry Shoemaker, who is running for Cabarrus County school board this year.
I have known the Shoemaker family for over 10 years. Their daughters both attended Northwest Cabarrus High school with my boys, and I had the privilege of coaching the swim team at that time. Barry volunteered his time to help with the team and was a wonderful coach to the kids. His love for teenagers and his commitment to bettering them (not only in sports, but in all aspects) was quite evident when he took time to talk to the kids.
I am now coaching at Hickory Ridge High School, and Barry has helped me for the past four years with this team. The parents of our kids see evidence of Barry’s care for the teens and our community on a continual basis.
I strongly urge those who care about our school system and the communities that support them to vote for Barry Shoemaker for school board. It will be a vote in the right direction!
— Debbie Benfield
Kannapolis

Sign already replaced
Someone stole the Obama for President sign from our front lawn. Maybe the thief wanted to suppress free speech or needed a sign for their front yard. Either way, I bought a few extras just in case he or she returns. Thank you, sign remover. You helped contribute to the president’s re-election campaign.
— Pete Prunkl
Salisbury

Seek divine guidance
When we go to the polls on Nov. 6, we need to go to our heavenly father and seek his wonderful guidance. Our heavenly father and his only begotten son Jesus Christ are not happy with what is going on in the world today.
Another subject I wish to cover is that fact that since 200-3, I have heard of several cases where people need to have surgery to heal certain areas in their body. But because they don’t have enough money or adequate insurance, this cannot happen.
It may be a waste of time, but we need to go to our local, federal and state representatives and bring this horrible problem to their attention. If it were not for the taxpayers footing the bills, our government representatives would not get their palms greased regularly.
— George R. Elliott
China Grove

Endorsement deadline
Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 6 election must be received at the Salisbury Post by 5 p.m., Oct. 30.