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Let Us Down
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Published: August 1, 2008
Updated: 07/31/2008 08:35 pm
I totally agree with the letter from Claude Carter ("Was Once," July 21). Our elected officials in Washington have definitely let us down. Ross Perot warned that if the NAFTA bill was passed, we would hear a loud sucking sound and that would be our jobs leaving this country. They passed the bill, and we all are watching the jobs leave our country. Why would they not listen to a super businessman with a proven track record?
Congress' 9 to 14 percent approval rating certainly does not merit its members' salaries of around $165,000 per year. We all would like to "throw the bums out," but I do not see how we could do that. There are 535 members of Congress, and I get to vote for only three. In addition, you can always count on California and a few other states to send a bunch of clowns to Washington. Tune in to C-SPAN, after they get back from a month's vacation, and watch the vicious war between the parties.
The only thing we can do is bombard them with our phone calls, e-mails and letters letting them know how we feel.
VON B. HAMRICK JR.
Winston-Salem
Ardent Supporter
In approximately six months the "Imperial Presidency" will end. President Bush has been decidedly the least effective leader of our country in the last 100 years. His record includes leading this country into an ill-advised, costly war, ignoring international agreements, endorsing illegal treatment of detainees, lowering taxes for the wealthy in a time of war, denying the hazards facing our planet, attempting to dismantle Social Security and successfully polarizing the people of our country.
We must remember in the November election that Rep. Virginia Foxx of the 5th District has been one of Bush's most ardent supporters. According to The Washington Post, Foxx has voted with her Republican colleagues and in favor of the failed Bush policies 91.1 percent of the time. In so voting, she has not served the best interest of our citizens. She must assume some of the responsibility for the enormous problems our nation now faces.
The people of the 5th District deserve better and have the opportunity for change by electing Roy Carter as representative. He will realistically represent the values, issues and concerns of the people. Electing effective leadership is up to the voters.
CHARLES F. WILSON
Winston-Salem
Supporting Request
The letter "Eating Out" (July 28) criticized the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education for asking Forsyth County commissioners for "millions" through a bond issue. In fact, the board is not asking the county for this project. It is supporting Forsyth Technical Community College's request for a bond referendum.
Forsyth Tech is asking for the referendum to expand its campus. If it passes, Forsyth Tech would acquire the Career Center and administrative offices, which the school system would have to relocate.
The school system supports Forsyth Tech's efforts to expand and will do what it can to accommodate the college's needs. However, Forsyth Tech came to the school system with the proposal. It is the college's idea to acquire the property.
The cheapest way for commissioners to finance the expansion is to sell a combination of Forsyth Tech bonds and school-system bonds to cover the cost. So though the board technically asked the county to sell the bonds, the request was made to support Forsyth Tech.
We strive to ensure that our construction dollars are spent increasing classroom space. At a time when all budgets are tight, we will continue this commitment to taxpayers and our students.
DON MARTIN
SUPERINTENDENT
WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS
Winston-Salem
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