The Rhinoceros Times Greensboro
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Page 39
Letters to the Editor No-brainers about elections Dear Editor, There are numerous questions about the election process in North Carolina. There are many of us who believe that the election process in North Carolina is fraught with fraud, collusion and misrepresentation. We believe that in many counties every effort is being made to hide or sweep any indications of fraud, collusion and misrepresentation under the rug and bury it. Over the years I have made tens of thousands of decisions. Many of those decisions were made to put someone in harm’s way during war; those were never easy decisions. But among those decisions were a large number that were considered no-brainers – decisions that took little to no thought to implement. Our state legislators have been presented with a number of no-brainers when it comes to the election system. Three are: Proof of citizenship when registering to vote in North Carolina is not a luxury but an absolutely necessary requirement. There should never be voter registration on the same day as an election. Voter registration must be stopped at a point that would allow the boards of election to properly verify an individual’s citizenship and place of residence. I believe that voter registration should be stopped 30 days prior to an election: primary, special or general. Stopping voter registration at anything less than 15 days prior to an election should be unthinkable. Voter identification at the polls is an absolute necessity. There is no better way to prove proper identification than the requirement to provide a photo identification card that has been issued by a government agency. There are many within the North Carolina General Assembly and the public that have used just about every excuse on earth to stop requirements to make the state election system a model of integrity. We as citizens should be mindful that the election system used in North Carolina lacks the required checks and balances needed to insure that those and only those with a right to vote in the state can do so. We must ask your elected legislators in the General Assembly to modernize North Carolina’s election process. This can be started by implementing the above three no-brainers. Ray Shamlin
Court shouldn’t override people Dear Editor, I understand that the Supreme Court is hearing challenges to Prop 8 from California and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) this week. I do believe that children are better served by having a mother and a father, but having said that, I am not against people that are in love getting married. The problem I have with all of this is
that both of these measures were voted on and passed. In the case of Prop 8, which is a California constitutional amendment, it was voted on and passed by legislators and by a referendum of voters. In the case of DOMA it was properly voted on and passed by Congress and signed by the president. I believe in the democratic process and am very firmly against nine justices setting aside these laws. Why should we have nine justices override the law of the land and impose their will on the country in a matter that was so openly and clearly decided with all sides being heard? I am told that the country is moving toward acceptance of marriage between two people of the same sex and that is probably the case. If Americans are against these laws and want to change them, why not vote again and change them? Steve Golimowski
There is a reason for sex Dear Editor, There is one very specific reason for the creation of two sexes in humans and most other living species on planet earth. That being procreation of the species and natural parents to nurture and raise their offspring. There is no legislation that can change that process or the intent of it. Among all living species on earth, only human beings are intelligent enough to attempt to alter the intent of God and mother nature. I have absolutely no problem with people being who and what they are, but in a discreet manner, and, as long as they don’t touch or bother me and my family. It is not appreciated and no fun when a “non-straight” person tries to hit on you. Some people don’t seem to understand, comprehend and cannot accept the fact that their advances and affections are not appreciated nor wanted by “straight” people. This legislator (McGreevy), who just resigned his office, put it best when he stated he researched homosexuality and found it is a “psychological illness” that is an “unhealthy” and “abnormal” lifestyle, which, apparently, there is no alternative or remedy for at this time. Ramon Bell
would be in jeopardy and it might effect his legacy, so he places the blame on the Republicans or anyone but himself. At some point President Obama, has to take responsibility for his failed policies that have caused this country’s turmoil and stop blaming everyone else for his own actions. It is about time for the Democrats and the Republicans to start putting their constituents first, stop this childish bickering and get back to working for the American people who elected them into their current political office. Steven M. Shelton
Congrats to Whole Foods Dear Editor, I would like to commend the Whole Foods Market for deciding that products sold in their stores must state whether they contain genetically modified organisms. Unfortunately, the policy doesn’t go into effect until 2018, but to the best of my knowledge they are the first grocery store to support the labeling of genetically engineered food sold in their stores. I believe that the government should require all food products that have been genetically engineered, modified or altered by nano-technology to have warning labels. Chuck Mann
GTCC’s dirty little secret Dear Editor, Nora Carr, Guilford County Schools chief of staff, wants you as taxpayers to fund expensive books for families who do not have $100 to $150 to spend on books. I have two children at UNC-Chapel Hill and it is fairly easy. I have second jobs to pay for the books and tuition. Here is the dirty secret on how GTCC works. Feel free to check it out. The students will eagerly clue you in. Ever notice GTCC has enrollment statistics through the roof? Do you see at the beginning semesters the parking lot overflowing? Here is the real scoop: The government pays for low income tuition with a starting check, plus funds to cover half of the tuition for the start of a semester. Low-income students sign up for a full load (hence the parking lots or overflowing) using the free money from the government. We know it is not free; it comes from your taxes. Half way through the semester, the scam is to drop all the courses except one. This means you still are a student with minimal credit requirements. Second check comes the second half of the semester to pay for a full load of courses, except the student only has one course to (Continued on page 45)
HOMES TO FIT YOUR EVERY NEED
Somerstone at Winding Trails - Charlotte (704) 536-1000 www.somerstoneapartments.com
Silverstone Apartments - Charlotte (704) 596-7403 www.silverstone-apts.com
Park South at Fisher Park - Greensboro (336) 834-8877 www.PresidiaAssetMgt.com
Aberdeen Townhomes - Greensboro (336) 553-0877 www.aberdeentownhomeapts.com
Creekside Apartments - Hickory (828) 324-4935 www.creekside-apts.com
Bella Vista Townhomes - Greensboro (336) 517-7343 www.BellaVistaApts.net
Obama blames everyone else Dear Editor, Rush Limbaugh devised a theorem that explains why President Obama steadfastly refuses to govern. His theorem is based on the president’s reasons that he is an outsider fighting evil forces such as those who want to harm the poor or the elderly, namely the Republicans or the rich, etc. The president does not want any piece of legislation with his fingerprints on it or he may have to take credit for his failed policies. He has to be fighting evil forces within this country in order to retain his political standing. If he were to have to take credit for his failed policies, his presidency