Upon first reading Scott Sexton's Feb. 11 column ("Democrat wins in the 5th?"), I was discouraged because I knew many progressive voters in the 5th District would feel demoralized. However, my discouragement soon turned to even greater determination. I hope others had the same reaction, because the voters must work against all odds to unseat Rep. Virginia Foxx.
While her loyal followers think she represents them well, I do not understand how. Other than giving a voice to their fears and discontent, I do not know what she has done that has improved the lives of her constituents.
When running for her first term, all we could hear from Foxx was her vitriolic attacks on current immigration law. What has she introduced in her three terms to correct immigration law? Has she done anything to address high unemployment in the 5th District? Has she done anything to bring new industry to the district? Why did she cast a shortsighted vote against purchasing land adjoining the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most visited tourist sites in the nation? She has done nothing of any consequence except be a national embarrassment for her uninformed, oppositional, foolish remarks.
The voters of the 5th District need an effective representative. Billy Kennedy of Watauga County will be that person. I hope your readers will take time to learn more about Billy Kennedy and how he plans to be a voice of and for the people, a voice not present in almost nine years.
ANNE G. WILSON
Winston-Salem
‘Rational' more appropriate
It seems to me that the Journal wasted a lot of expensive newsprint on the Feb. 14 Insight column "Conservatives want to know: Why are liberals so condescending?" "Why are liberals so rational?" would have been more appropriate.
Like the nation's Founders, who formulated the U.S. Constitution, liberals are committed to rational discourse and compromise. Reflecting the ideals of the 18th-century Age of Reason, the Founders constructed an eminently rational document they hoped would steer the nation through the hazards of human irrationally and emotion.
The system failed only once, when the supremely emotional issue of slavery, based on race, nearly destroyed the nation. Liberals, like President Obama, may seem condescending when they speak of current events, including Tea Party irrationalism. Some Republican congressmen recently complained that they felt the president was lecturing to them. Indeed he was. He was reminding them of the nation's heritage of rational debate and compromise.
HOWARD BARNES
Winston-Salem
Sale of our rights
I hope all Winston-Salem residents will join me in urging our members of Congress to support efforts to lessen the horrific effects of the sale of our First Amendment rights to corporations ("Court ruling raises questions," Jan. 31). Five Supreme Court Justices awarded our right to free speech (and therefore the right to contribute to candidates of our choice) to Big Business by allowing corporations to spend without limit on our elections.
Can we people compete with the wealthy mega-corporations in supporting our candidates? No. The illegitimate spawn of five people will usurp our right to government of, by and for the people.
I will demand that my representatives in Congress put in place strict regulations and oversight of these whelps of the John Roberts court.
MOLLY LEIGHT
Winston-Salem
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