The readers' forum

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: November 14, 2009

Support for the elderly

Last week, H1N1 flu vaccine was administered to children and people with special health problems. However, the government stipulated that no vaccine was to be given to people over 65 years of age until those in higher-risk groups had the opportunity to be vaccinated. That is a real stab in the back.

Now the health-care bill has been passed by the House and that includes great cuts in the funding for Medicare. The future of health care for the elderly can be seen coming. Support for the elderly will be limited and special medical and surgical procedures will not have the funding as the government takes over health insurance. Good for Rep. Virginia Foxx to speak out for the outcome of the government that does not value the seniors' health.

SAMUEL B. MARX

Winston-Salem

Good use of authority

I was very pleased with the Forsyth County commissioners' efforts to make peace at the Nov. 9 meeting where there was public discussion over whether or not to keep the designation as a historic property for the River John Conrad House ("Board delays decision on Conrad house," Nov. 10). They voted to ask the owners of the house to work out a compromise with the historic resources commission. This was a very good use of their authority.

I would like to see our community do the same thing over the issue of sectarian prayer. It was a prayer at the beginning of this commissioners' meeting that sought God's grace for unity, which I believe helped with the controversial discussion.

The hard work and mutual sacrifice of compromise is much more cost effective than expensive, contentious lawsuits.

THE REV. LAURA SPANGLER

PASTOR, LLOYD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Winston-Salem

Limited federal government

The Founding Fathers envisioned a limited role for the national government. They gave the federal government the powers necessary to keep us safe and maintain an orderly society. They were careful to not interfere with our personal pursuits or property.

The government they envisioned was never seen before, one where the people would be free to pursue their dreams and maintain their liberty and property.

How things have changed. It's surprising what the Constitution actually grants the federal government the ability to do.

The 10th Amendment states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

Some other thoughts about the Constitution: The "general welfare clause" does not say "the general welfare of the citizens of the United States." It gives Congress the power to raise money to defend the country and for the running of the government day-to-day.

The "establishment clause" only means that the federal government may not establish an official denomination for the United States.

Our government now takes over 47 percent of our property in various taxes. It has robbed us of our personal freedoms and stepped way over the powers granted it.

Remember also, it is easy for those who have never lived their life without freedom to trample on it. When the rest of their freedoms and wealth are taken away, may they remember why our Founding Fathers fought the American Revolution.

DAN FILIPPONI

Winston-Salem