Taking off work

By: Journal Staff | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: January 20, 2009

I am also one who will take off work on Inauguration Day to watch all the festivities of that historic day ("Inauguration Day will be a holiday for many blacks," Jan. 15). I am bothered by articles that assume only black people will be watching and participating. I am white and so as are my siblings, and we all will be watching. Oh, how I wish my parents were alive to share in this time.

BETSY H. CLAUSER

Winston-Salem

Historic day

This Inauguration Day will be an historic day in the history of our country. We have elected an African-American president for the first time in our history.

One of the worst blights in our past was slavery, but not just that alone. After the Civil War when slaves were supposedly freed, they were treated as second-class citizens for decades to come.

For the last eight years our country has become more and more divided because of our views on politics.

We have had little cooperation between the two parties, which has been detrimental to progress. This presidential campaign and election has garnered more enthusiasm from both Democrats and Republicans than has been seen in many years.

People seem to have hope that Barack Obama will reach his goals by reaching across the aisle and listening to people who disagree with him, as well as those who do. Most of us love our country and want it to be the best that it can be, so let's work together, forget politics and pray for our leaders. It will not be easy for any president in this perilous state of our economy and continuing wars.

Remember, "United we stand, and divided we fall."

NAOMI J. DAVIS

Winston-Salem

Conflicting accounts

I have heard conflicting and confusing accounts of Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner's tax problems. Some say that his failure to pay was a fairly common and honest mistake resulting from a complex tax code. Anyone who owns a home, has a few investments, and files his or her own return will empathize.

I have also read that Geithner's oversight was uncovered during a 2006 audit by the Internal Revenue Service and that only after his recent nomination as Treasury secretary did he pay the $34,000 tax plus interest. If true, that is perhaps the most troubling revelation.

The Senate Finance Committee was wise to postpone Geithner's confirmation hearing, one hopes to give it time to sort out the truth. As Treasury secretary, Geithner would be responsible for the IRS.

Our chief tax collector should not be someone who willfully avoids paying taxes, no matter how financially savvy he is.

THOMAS J. BLAIR

Winston-Salem