Federal government and education

The Journal used the "promoting the general Welfare" phrase to criticize Rep. Virginia Foxx for questioning the constitutionality of federal government involvement in education ("Foxx's latest," Jan. 23). James Madison and the Founders intended this phrase to express that the federal government can only do things for the welfare of all the people, as opposed to giving specials gifts to particular groups -- such as special treatment for Nebraska or the UAW.

Sagacious anti-federalists warned that later generations would misinterpret the phrase as the Journal has done. For indeed, you can use "promote the general Welfare" to justify anything under the sun. It would defeat the entire raison d'être of the Constitution: to specify and limit the powers of the federal government. Thus they were encouraged when the 10th Amendment affirmed that the federal government could only do the tasks enumerated in the Constitution. Education is not mentioned, much less enumerated.

Federal involvement adds bureaucracy and reduces the autonomy of our local schools. Ask anyone in education if bureaucracy is not a major hindrance. The same money would be significantly more helpful without making the round trip to Washington first.

I applaud Foxx for defending the Constitution and expressing her politically incorrect good sense.

WILLARD "WILL" D. FERRELL

Kernersville

Learned through experience

I have written letters to President Obama, Sen. Kay Hagan, Sen. Richard Burr, Rep. Howard Coble, Rep. Virginia Foxx and local officials concerning the cost of health insurance and the new health-care plan they are trying to push down our throats. I've come to the conclusion that this new health-care plan was written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, signed by a president who smokes and is going to be financed by a country that is nearly broke.

What else could possibly go wrong? I have learned through my experiences that you do not argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with their money and experience.

HAROLD C. FEARRINGTON

Bethania

What is happening

In 75 years of living in America, the greatest country on earth, I never until recently thought I would see a time in which there would be so much concern about the direction in which we are headed.

First, let me say honestly, there is no one who loves this nation more than me. Having been over many parts of the world and all 50 states, and as a Korean War veteran, my experience of knowing other people is extensive. Hardly anyone is happy with what is happening to our country. I'll admit, however, that I have little conversation with free-loaders and elitist snobs.

The elitist snobs, who for the most part are supposed to be representing us, don't have the slightest idea what makes this country great. It for sure is not them, who for the most part never earned an honest dollar. It's the honest, responsible, hard-working common people, who are tired of supporting those who produce nothing.

Now, don't misunderstand. We are more than anxious to help those who, for whatever reason, are not capable of helping themselves. But don't expect us, the producers, to work for those who refuse to take any responsibility.

What can we do? We must let our feelings be known. Get out among our friends and drive home the point that we must become informed. Since the media for the most part only gives the left-wing snobbish viewpoint, we must represent the honest, moral and logical perspective.

KEN HAYES

Mocksville

It makes no sense

Even after the Massachusetts election upset ("Mass. Voters select Brown," Jan. 20), I don't think either party really gets it. Why would you charge a fee to banks that received the TARP funds even after they paid them back with interest, and not do the same to GM, Chrysler, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Any fees will only be passed on to the consumer. That would be like me taking out a loan because I was overextended and paying the loan back with interest and the bank then telling me they were charging me a fee to prevent this happening again; it makes no sense.

Now Congress is talking about raising the debt ceiling. Just cut expenses. Cut the hours of government employees, stop flying all over the world and freeze salary increases, to name a few. This is the time to make hard choices and stop borrowing money. The average person would not borrow money to continue his current lifestyle if he lost his job or his income decreased. We need help for small businesses so they will be able to hire, not more regulations that will hamper their expansion.

ALICE SPACH

Lewisville