Opinion Letters
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A mandate
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Published: October 20, 2009
The final Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Election 2008 showed Barack Obama leading John McCain 52 percent to 46 percent. Rasmussen was the most accurate polling organization, as the final election results reflect a 52.9 percent to 45.7 percent victory for President Obama (69.4 million votes to 59.9 million).
Countless times over recent months I have heard that Obama's election was a "mandate" from the American people. I find that concept interesting. While it could be debated, let's assume for a moment that 53 percent does equal a "mandate."
This same polling organization (Rasmussen) now tells us several things we should consider in light of last November's 53-percent mandate.
1. 63 percent of voters nationwide say guaranteeing that no one is forced to change their health coverage is a higher priority than giving consumers the choice of a "public option" health-insurance company.
2. 68 percent of American voters have health-insurance coverage they rate good or excellent.
3. 83 percent of voters say legislation should be posted online in final form and available for everyone to read before Congress votes on it. The only exception would be for extreme emergencies. Furthermore, 64 percent say they should be available to the public two weeks or more before Congress votes.
If 53 percent was a mandate, what are these numbers?
CHARLES WESLEY "WES" PATTERSON SR.
Winston-Salem
Not government's business
Thank you for publishing the Washington Post editorial "Cross in the Wilderness" (Oct. 9). The alleged memorial honoring World War I soldiers should be removed. Thankfully, the Supreme Court will review the issues. The government should not be in the business of favoring one religion over another.
Similarly, we look forward to the forthcoming federal court decision regarding the Forsyth County commissioners' use of sectarian prayer to open its meetings. This has gone on for years and we hope it will be stopped. Again, the government should not be in the business of promoting one brand of religion over another, or promoting religion at all.
STEVE WESTON
PRESIDENT, WINSTON-SALEM CHAPTER
CITIZENS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
Winston-Salem
Is that a bad thing?
I keep hearing that President Obama is a Marxist, and a socialist, by followers of the right wing. My grandmother adamantly insists that Obama is a Marxist; I don't really know why. I do doubt that he is.
Anyway, I would just like to ask these people on the right -- is that a bad thing? Socialism is, in general, hated here, and I don't understand why. So I ask these people, is it a bad thing to have public roads? Is it a bad thing to have public schools? Capitalism is obviously failing under the weight of the greed of those who make it what it is; otherwise there would be no need for a social health-care system.
Look at Europe. It has socialized health care, and is generally a lot more socialist than we are. People there live longer, are healthier, work less and earn more for their labor. I always hear people say, "I want to make my own choices and I don't want handouts." Well, sorry to tell them, but nearly all of their choices are made for them by the upper 5 percent in our oh-so-great system of Industrial Capitalism.
In a socialist state, people still have to work, they just get paid differently and are more invested in the company in which they work.
Are all socialist policies a bad thing? If Jesus were here, would he be a capitalist?
SEAN COBBLER
Winston-Salem
Worst nightmare
President Obama is al-Qaida's worst nightmare. Terrorism only works if a more powerful opponent can be provoked to play the bad guy; to overreact, bully and blunder.
Former President Bush and his bunch were a terrorist's dream come true, with pointless war policies that alienated allies of our nation worldwide, and in Iraq squandering $1 trillion of national treasure that we desperately need now. Al-Qaida loved him playing that part.
Obama's Nobel Peace Prize is really an award to all the American voters who worked so hard to pull America back from the brink. Let us pray that our president will keep a cool head and steady hand, and not escalate our bad-guy role in Afghanistan.
JERE CUNNINGHAM
Pinnacle
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