Dear Editor:

Now the chickens have come home to roost.

The same Democratic candidates who said we must withdraw our troops from Iraq are the same ones who now say they don’t know when and if we can withdraw our troops during Wednesday’s presidential debate.

Maybe they’re finally taking a cue from the president:

“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program. We want to seriously reduce his capacity to threaten his neighbors.”

The only problem with that statement is that it was not said by President George W. Bush. It was said by Democrat Bill Clinton during his presidency in 1998 (during the same time with the first intern).

You know, if these Democratic candidates are uncomfortable in their own shoes, a pair of flip flops would be more fitting.

John Edwards
Chairman Franklin County Republican Party
Louisburg

 

Letters

Dear Editor:

It was with anticipation that I listened to state Sen. Doug Berger on Joe DeSantis’ Franklin County Forum on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2007.

This year taxpayers sent in $1.4 billion extra money above what the General Assembly was planning to get. This is in addition to the $2.5 billion extra money sent in last year. I was waiting to hear details about the North Carolina budget and some explanation of expenditures in a budget of which Sen. Berger was very proud.

One of the first things out of state Sen. Doug Berger’s mouth was criticism for the Bush administration regarding the budget deficit and how great a job they (Berger and the Democrats) did. The super hot national economy under the Bush administration allowed North Carolina to benefit and take in billions more than originally needed. It is easy to balance the state budget when the national economy creates billions of extra money and, additionally, when money is stolen from TRUST funds (911, Mental Health Trust Fund, Medicaid Trust Fund, Highway Trust Fund, State Employees Retirement). Is Berger proud of this?

Next he says that legislation for some programs to help the poor and disadvantaged were not addressed during the last legislative session because things may change in Washington and more money may be available to North Carolina. In the meantime, what is happening to the poor and disadvantaged while Berger waits...and waits...and waits? Is Berger proud of this?

Next Berger brags on how much money he was able to get allocated to roads in Franklin County. Specific to widening 401, the projected year, 2011, is just that — projected — and subject to further delay. And then 401 will only be widened to Rolesville in Wake County.

There is no projected funding for further widening to Louisburg. This money comes through GARVEE bonds, which are only a promise from the federal government that the money may be available ... not a guarantee. If the money is not available from the federal government, then your taxes go up to pay. Is Berger proud of this?

Berger and the Democrats are unnecessarily taking a substantial part of Franklin County’s school construction money and one-half percent of Franklin County’s sales tax to pay for the state’s responsibility for Medicaid this year. The promise to pay all the Medicaid costs in the future is just a promise (and we know that we were lied to when the Legislature promised to stop the temporary sales tax). Because of the Medicaid tax swap gimmick, over 20 other N.C. counties have had to propose tax increases to pay for the money taken by the Legislature. Franklin County is now vulnerable to a tax increase. Is Berger proud of this?

State Sen. Doug Berger could have been proud of doing something positive for his district and we would have been grateful.

Instead, while he makes believe he has helped his district, schools continue to fail, unemployment continues to deteriorate, economic development is at a virtual standstill compared to other parts of our booming state, mental health continues to be underfunded, illegal aliens continue draining valuable resources meant for the poor and disadvantaged, we may be facing a tax increase, and on, and on.

Chuck Stires
Youngsville