THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Saturday, October 20, 2012 — Page 7
LETTERS I believe in freedom of religion but not as it’s understood today
Cutting college funding not in best interest of families & kids
To the editor, In response to Nancy Parsons’ response to my letter about the need for our nation to turn back to God: First off, if one does believe in God; it should be clear that God has a particular personality, if I can use that term to describe God, that is: that whatever we believe about Him, He is a certain way. What we believe doesn’t make him any different. Faith has a dynamic that changes our relationship with Him, but it doesn’t change who He is. That we have had freedom of religion is to a large extent due to the Christian heritage of our nation. Its function is to ensure that each man and woman has the freedom to come to know God as He is. This does allow false religions to exist unmolested, along with the truth, as long as the religious group does not transgress what is clearly understood by all without controversy to be wrong behavior: killing, causing physical injury etc... When we get to issues not so black and white, genuine freedom of religion should prevail; how else can we protect ones right to seek the truth. That there is a truth is self evident, that is why we have courts to decide criminal and civil cases. To say that there is no truth or that all religions are equal in relation to truth is itself a theological stance, and at that an indefensible stance, it is a pandering that seeks to make every one feel good. This is not a neutral stance but a ruse, a smoke screen to hide behind, to allow policy makers to establish the religion of secular humanism as the country’s established religion all the while claiming to be religion neutral. In order to keep all this in place the government has
To the editor, I am writing regarding cuts to the University System of N.H. I am a resident of Gilford, currently have a daughter attending UNH, and have a son who will be attending college soon. Cuts were made last year to the University System of New Hampshire by the Republican legislators in the amount of $48 million out of a $100 million budget. They also severely cut aid to the Community College System of N.H.,which is important in terms of entry-level higher education and job training. Last year, legislators eliminated ALL scholarship aid, making N.H. the ONLY state without a state-sponsored scholarship program. Two of the legislators responsible for these cuts are current State Representatives Collette Worsman and Bob Greemore are both running for re-election to represent Gilford and Meredith. Facts: 1. N.H. students have the HIGH-
to persecute genuine seekers of the truth — for if the truth is shown to be the truth all of this falls apart — that is what we are beginning to see in the conflict between provisions in ObamaCare and Catholic institutions, between colleges and counseling students, and between parents and school administrations. It is in a large part what is behind resistance to school choice initiatives. They have captive every young person whose parents cannot afford to send them to a private school and who cannot home school. They can fill their minds with atheistic doctrines from K to 12. Nancy, from what I understand the main focus in our public schools has been shifting from education to indoctrination for some time. It’s why they’re failing. As to separation of church and state and the Constitution, if you read it, it’s not written in there. The idea comes from external sources and latter case precedents. Not that I disagree entirely with the concept, but I certainly disagree with how it has come to be understood today. I believe that I have been clear that what I have been advocating is a return to a faith that our country at one time by in large possessed. At no time that I am aware of has our country ever been a theocracy. There was a time however when we were willing to call the truth the truth. Our Declaration of Independence established us as a nation under God. Past generations of Americans were willing to embrace that concept. If we cut loose from that now it will only be to our destruction. John Demakowski Franklin
Why a conservative person like me is supporting Kate Miller To the editor, It must seem strange to the reader to learn a fiscal conservative person like myself is encouraging people to vote for Kate Miller in the upcoming election for the House of Representative of - Belknap 2. While Kate Miller and I might disagree on things at the national level we both agree on New Hampshire. It is not just Kate’s New Hampshire first philosophy which impressed me but Kate’s New Hampshire First Action which won me over. Kate became aware of the difficulties facing survivability of New Hampshire ambulances, especially in the North Country. Even though Kate was not in office, she took time and effort to meet with myself and other EMS leaders to hear what we had to say. Kate immediately understood that ambulances are the front door to health care for the sickest among us.
This isn’t a party issue, this isn’t a political stance, this is a New Hampshire “people’s lives” issue. With Kate’s help and guidance, EMS Leaders were allowed to meet with key state decision makers to express our concerns, explain the problems and hopefully, because of Kate’s help, we were successful in convincing them to stave off plans which could have unintentionally cost lives and radically changed the delivery of health care in New Hampshire for the worse. Kate is not even in office at this point, we couldn’t disagree more on all things health care and the only thing that mattered was doing what’s best for New Hampshire. If Kate is willing to do this kind of service for New Hampshire when she is not in office, I know she will serve us well in Concord. Scott A. Hodgkins, President BestCare Ambulance Services, Inc. Gilford
Pres. Obama is quintessential model of a populist demagogue To the editor, He’s clearly no JFK. He’s no FDR. He’s not even an LBJ or a Jimmy Carter. He’s perhaps the most incompetent and unethical man to occupy the White House. His vision for America is the antithesis of the Constitution and our founding principles and values. His teachers and mentors are a dubious
communists and America-hating radical activists. His rhetoric bears little or no resemblance to his left wing agenda. He is the quintessential model of a populist demagogue. Four years later, the still unshakable devotion and credulity of the Obama faithful defies all common sense and rational understanding.
EST student loan debt in the nation! 2. N.H. ranks LAST in the nation for state aid per resident to support public higher education. 3. N.H. has the fourth HIGHEST instate tuition rate in the nation. (The other colleges with higher tuition rates all rank above UNH in terms of education.) Both the University System of N.H. and the Community College System of N.H. are paramount to the education of N.H. residents. The facts listed above are certainly NOT in the best interest of N.H. families and their children. Based solely on the FACTS, I will be supporting the Democratic candidates for District 2, Gilford and Meredith. Please join me on November 6, and vote for Lisa DiMartino and Bill Johnson of Gilford, and Kate Miller and Sandy Mucci of Meredith. They understand the importance of providing quality, affordable higher education for our children’s future. Nigel Croft Gilford
Does Bob Lamb really want to bring back the $30 auto surcharge? To the editor, I had the opportunity last week to attend a candidates’ forum in Haverhill and hear from Bob Lamb and Jeanie Forrester, both candidates for the Senate District 2 seat. I also saw on the front page of The Laconia Daily Sun on Saturday, October 6th that Bob and Jeanie had appeared in a forum hosted by the Belknap County Economic Development Council on October 5th. I know that so far, Jeanie and Bob have already appeared together in four forums and that there are three more events coming up (October 15, October 17, and October 30), so I must admit I am confused to keep reading letters to the editor claiming that Jeanie will not appear with Bob. By the end of this campaign, Jeanie and Bob will have been in at least seven events together. From the letters written, it seems the timing of
the events, the location of the events, and the format of the events are not satisfactory to Bob or his supporters. I implore these letter writers to tell us, in very specific terms, why they are supporting Lamb-and not just that “he’s a leader” and “he’s got solutions.” What makes him a leader? What are his solutions? Does he really want to bring back the $30 motor vehicle registration surcharge? Is it true that he wants to raise the gas tax or institute other regressive taxes on our lower income folks? Does he agree with the 24-percent increase in spending that Democrats brought forward or the 100+ taxes and fees that hammered our businesses and families? Looking forward to hearing from Bob Lamb on these and a myriad of other important issues. Debbie Johnson Campton
Join us at Opechee Cove for the Turkey Plunge on November 17 To the editor, This year marks the 8th Annual Salvation Army Turkey Plunge. This family oriented fun event will take place in Laconia at Opechee Cove Beach on Saturday, November 17 with gates opening to the public at 10 a.m. and the actual plunging starting with a countdown by WLNH’s own Pat Kelly at noon. We invite all individuals or teams to join with the Salvation Army in making this year’s Plunge our best ever. Registration details are available at any branch of the Meredith Village Savings Bank, the Salvation Army (524-1834) or on-line at www. use. salvationarmy.org/laconia. All proceeds from the Plunge go directly to our work at your Lakes Region Salvation Army. These much needed funds help defray the cost of numerous Salvation Army programs including the senior lunch program and our homeless shelter, the Carey House. In these difficult economic times, we are experiencing more families than ever in need of support services; your donation or Turkey Plunge pledge can go a long way towards help-
lowing the Plunge, an open to the public and plungers luncheon will take place at the Laconia Middle School. Plungers will enjoy a free luncheon while the general public is asked for a $5 donation. Numerous gift certificate prizes will be drawn during the lunch for those attending. The lunch features the much acclaimed chili, chowder and soup from some of our finest area restaurants including Kitchen Cravings, Patrick’s Pub, Fratello’s, O Steak and Seafood, Hart’s and T-Bones. Lago will provide their delicious hot chocolate and Cara Bean Coffee will serve their outstanding hot coffee at the beach before the Plunge. Luncheon beverage service is provided by Coca-Cola of Northern New England while the Lakes Region Community College Culinary Arts students provide desserts and will act as servers that day. Come out as a family Nov 17 at Opechee Cove Beach to plunge, pledge, cheer, watch and enjoy lunch....all to benefit the Salvation Army. Captains Stephen & Sally Warren Salvation Army Corps Officers Laconia