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Heartbreaking
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Published: November 11, 2009
Oh what a heartbreaking e-mail to receive: Paceline Bicycles has closed in both Winston-Salem and Greensboro ("Paceline Bicycles shuts its doors after filing for bankruptcy Oct. 29," Nov. 4). Van Brown and his staff have provided a wonderful service to our community for years, and they will be greatly missed. From selling and servicing bicycles and accessories to organizing events, they have contributed so much to both the physical and the mental health of our town.
To Van, Amy Anderson, Curtis Pippin and everyone who worked so hard to make such a great business: We love you and will miss you!
CAM CHOINIERE
Pfafftown
Money back from Dell
What is the city of Winston-Salem going to do with the money it is getting back from Dell? Give it to Billy Prim so he can make his monthly payments on the ballpark.
RICHARD WEATHERMAN
Winston-Salem
Look at the facts
Our country is in such partisan deadlock that I wonder if it can ever be corrected. When Virginia Foxx, who is an elected representative, makes statements that sound more like Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, who promote disdain for anyone who doesn't believe in their divisive rhetoric, shouldn't we be concerned? Don't we expect a member of Congress to be more astute than those two, who admit they want President Obama's administration to fail?
Now let's be fair for a moment and look at the facts: The former administration inherited a balanced budget, no wars and a good economy. Obama inherited over $1 trillion of debt, two wars that are costing a $1 billion a month -- and will go up if more troops are added -- the worst economy since the Great Depression, and the rest of the world's low opinion of us. Yet these pundits, and some in Congress, are trying to convince us that our country is in a state of dystopia and it is Obama's administration that has caused it.
How obtuse would you have to be to expect Obama to solve problems of this magnitude in just nine months?
This is too serious to be about politics, instead of what is best for our country. Where is their patriotism? Oh, well, I guess they still have their lapel pins; after all, that is what counts, right?
NAOMI J. DAVIS
Winston-Salem
Squandered tax incentives
The attempt to refund Dell's squandered tax incentives through property tax relief is quite frankly one of the lazier attempts by the Forsyth County board of commissioners to ingratiate itself to citizens since the misspending of our money on the failed ballpark ("Forsyth taxpayers may get their payback," Nov. 6). Was the Dell money solely raised through property tax? If not, then why would it sound reasonable that the money be "returned" in this fashion?
As a renter in this area, and one whose taxes surely went to the enticement of the now-closed plant, I cannot help but to feel more than a bit cheated. Thanks, guys.
HUGH HAMPTON III
Winston-Salem
Incoherent party
My wife and I reside in the 5th Congressional District, represented by Virginia Foxx. Rep. Foxx draws a disproportionate amount of media attention to the 5th District. Great -- if that attention illustrated that she is a wise, positive-thinking, proactive person.
A few days ago, Foxx said, " … we have more to fear from the potential of that [health-care] bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country" ("Foxx, again," Nov. 6) When questioned about Foxx's speech, even House Minority Leader, John Boehner, responded that "members are entitled to their opinions."
On the Nov. 5 evening news: There she was again! She and other tea-party radicals, skipping work, gathering on the Capitol steps. Foxx had a prominent position, right behind Rep. Michele Bachmann and other speakers.
Boehner made a fool of himself by holding up his copy -- "my copy," he said -- of the Constitution, from which he attempted to quote. However, he spoke words not from the Constitution, but from the Declaration of Independence! Foxx was just behind Boehner, appearing to mouth many of the same words with him.
I'm not pleased with the Democrats' lack of progress on health-care reform and the fiscal mess inherited from Republican wars and economic policies, but I understand. How can anyone make progress dealing with the incoherent tea party?
Why was Foxx out "playing silly" on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, instead of at work? God protect the United States from "leaders" like this.
PATRICK W. McGINNIS
Winston-Salem
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