Entrepreneurial spirit

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: November 10, 2009

This letter is in response to the Oct. 31 article "Making It Legal." Entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and diversification are critical characteristics that need to be pursued if Forsyth County is to overcome our current economic downturn. I applaud Zane Sells' innovative idea for making a corn maze that brings tourism and business into this depressed part of the county.

During these difficult economic times, it is imperative that we as individuals and as a community support our farmers regardless of where in the county they are located. Forsyth County needs to be more farmer-friendly.

Farming was once one of the primary backbones of our county's economy. Forsyth County desperately needs jobs and tourism and the Forsyth County commissioners need to review the agriculture tourism regulations so that they apply countywide.

Many of the residents of the area around Union Cross have been told that their future is in high-tech (i.e. Dell). As the saying goes, "Never put all your eggs in one basket." Diversification provides for a much healthier economic climate. Farming also provides fresh produce to local citizens, so they can buy local and further support our local economy.

SUSAN HUDSON

Winston-Salem

Is it a joke?

Is Rep. Virginia Foxx joking? On the floor of the House on Nov. 2, referring to health-care reform, she said: "I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country."

Really? She believes that we are in more danger from a bill that may enable many of our citizens to afford health care than from a potential al-Qaida attack on any of us worldwide? If the health-care-reform package is adopted, is she afraid that her constituents might not tumble into bankruptcy from being unable to pay for life-sustaining care?

It seems every time Rep. Foxx speaks on the House floor, she shames herself. If she believes she must fill out her term, it would be a blessing if she would return to the back benches of the House and stop embarrassing her district.

BOB LOHMEYER

Winston-Salem

A grim outlook

What a grim outlook from the writer of the letter "Entrenched immorality" (Nov. 5). He seems to see nothing but evil; no advancement, no progress among the human race, which surely must be more civilized, overall, than during the Dark Ages or even 200 years ago. And haven't we Americans made strides toward freedom and equality even in the past few decades? Isn't this cause for celebration?

He finds fault with the media, government, "religious terrorists," entertainers, "educational systems," immigrants, "atheistic secularists" and "religious legalists." Whoever that leaves unmentioned, there must not be many of them. He writes about "appreciation for our historic human values," which surely must include generosity, hope for the future and the progressive spirit, no?

In all sincerity, I hope our friend the letter writer will seek help. Life is too short to be so upset and to hold disdain for so many.

RON SLATER

Winston-Salem

Hateful view

Whatever one's view of the causes and possible solutions to the Palestine/Israel conflict, to say that the Holocaust has been "immeasurably helpful to the founders of the state of Israel," ("Objectionable statements," Nov. 4), is depraved and blatantly rejects discourse and mutual respect.

What is the author's motive for disseminating this hateful view in the Journal?

JULIE EDELSON

Winston-Salem

A great American

I was neither shocked nor embarrassed by Rep. Virginia Foxx's statement, as your editorial said ("Foxx, again," Nov. 6). In fact, I consider her a great American and a courageous patriot.

The Obama health-care bill is exactly as she described it: "A tax-increase bill masquerading as a health-care bill."

And winters are always long, politics or not.

CHUCK HEMRICK

Germanton