Missing Rhino Times
Dear Editor,
While in Greensboro recently, I ran across the Rhino Times, which conjured up happy memories of the original RT in Charlotte, which, quite frankly, I had forgotten about since you discontinued the Charlotte print edition a few years ago.
Apparently, the new RT does not publish a Charlotte edition. Our loss. We sure could use you to hold the feet of local government, CMS, etc., to the fire. A good place to start would be to ask why a state with one of the highest gas taxes in the nation (if not the highest) can’t come up with the money to widen I-77 in North Mecklenburg County, while south of the border, South Carolina had no trouble widening I-77 with a far lower gas tax.
Inquiring minds not only want to know, but deserve to know.
Stephen V. Gilmore
Speaker of House for Hardister
Dear Editor,
I’m proud to endorse my friend Rep. Jon Hardister for reelection to NC House District 59. It has been a pleasure working with Hardister and getting to know him. He is a hard-working legislator and a strong voice in Raleigh for the people of Guilford County.
Hardister has been a major part of the important work we have done in getting North Carolina on the right track. He has worked hard to cut taxes, reduce job-restricting regulations and to protect your tax dollars. He has also worked to support public education, to increase teacher pay and to ensure that students have the skills to succeed in a global economy.
Please join me in supporting my friend Rep. Jon Hardister in the upcoming election. His leadership skills and reasonable approach to the issues make him an effective legislator. I respectfully ask the voters of Guilford County to send Hardister back to Raleigh so he can continuing working to move North Carolina in a positive direction.
Representative Tim Moore
Speaker of the House
Let Economy Regulate Facebook
Dear Editor,
Definition of capitalism: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision and by prices, production and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.
Everyone seems to have forgotten that this is the economic system that has made this country great. It’s not perfect, but it beats socialism. I say this because people are complaining about YouTube and Facebook. They are where they are by means of capitalism. And it’s everyone using them that put them where they are. People complain about how they censor speech, how they have an obvious liberal socialist agenda and how they should be regulated for their violations of free speech.
Here’s a news flash – they are a private entity. If you don’t like their rules and regulations, don’t use them. They’re like the News & Record or the Rhino Times; if you don’t like what they say or support, don’t support them. You, the user, have made them as big and powerful as they are.
When people start calling for boycotts, the only loser is the company being boycotted. If they cave to one side the other side gets upset and starts calling for a boycott for caving to the other side. This is a basic law of capitalism. Nobody wins in this kind of situation and a company can only hope to survive until the next shiny object in the form of the next cause de jour comes along and the herd changes direction.
If the federal government begins regulating them, it’s the camel’s nose in the tent. What would keep them from expanding their reach to all other forms of communication? I believe it would be the first baby step towards our representative republic becoming a socialist state. Remember, they see themselves as our parents and us as their wayward children that need their guidance because they know better than us. They will look for any excuse to impose more laws and regulations on us thus giving them more control over us.
The bottom line is if you don’t like the way a business does something, don’t give them your money/support. I’m not advocating organizing boycotts, I’m saying think for yourself and do what you want because you want to, not because someone else said you should.
Go Galt and save the republic.
Alan Marshall
We’re On Our Own
Dear Editor,
“I probably don’t have much time left, so tell my mom that I love her if I die.” – Kyle Plush, aged 16, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Those were the last words of an American teenager who somehow trapped himself beneath his family’s minivan seats, and used his cell phone to dial 911 – twice – for help. He was suffocating, and it was obvious from his labored breathing during his frantic call. His father returned to the van hours later to find his son’s dead body.
The cops were useless, as usual, despite the boy’s accurate description of his vehicle and location.
I relate this incident not to assail the character of individual police officers, many of whom are noble, decent and brave, but rather to demonstrate the sad ineffectiveness of government’s ability to protect and serve, as they so disingenuously claim.
The armed agents of the state do not protect you, nor do they serve you. They serve their own interests, and those of the state. Their claim to protect you is only their pretext, so you will continue to fund them.
If you want protection, buy a .45. And learn to think for yourself.
Austin Morris
Big Brother is Real
Dear Editor,
In case you missed it, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking for a private contractor to create an online database that will monitor journalists, bloggers and people with influence on social media.
Freedom of the press, which I support, is in the Constitution. So is freedom of religion. Will the DHS create an online database of churches and other religious corporations? The right to peacefully assemble and the right to bear arms are in the Constitution. How about databases of gun owners, peaceful protesters, artists or third political parties?
Here is a fun fact. The Department of Homeland Security, CIA, FBI, etc., have more information on more people and groups than the KGB and Gestapo, combined. Big Brother is getting bigger.
Chuck Mann
Hardister on His Record
Dear Editor,
As you may have heard, I am facing opposition in the Republican primary election this year. I don’t mind honest competition because this seat doesn’t belong to me; it belongs to our citizens. Unfortunately, my opponent is dishonest and he is running a campaign that is based on distortions and scare tactics.
The voters deserve better than this. Let’s set the record straight.
My opponent is telling people that I voted to raise taxes. This is a lie at worst and a distortion at best.
Here’s the truth: The tax burden in North Carolina has been reduced by over $4 billion. Income taxes have been reduced; corporate taxes are down; standard deductions are tripled; the estate tax is eliminated; and we cut the gas tax.
The sales tax was expanded into certain services, but the rates were not raised and this was done in order to simplify the tax code and lower the overall rates. The overall tax burden is down and the tax code is simplified.
Our rank with the Tax Foundation improved from the 44th worst state for taxes to the 11th best. Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Site Selection and Americans for Tax Reform have all praised the work that we have done to make our tax code more business friendly.
Grover Norquist, the founder of Americans for Tax Reform, has praised our tax changes in North Carolina. He said the following: “North Carolina has dramatically cut taxes and held down spending. That is the model.”
The results are clear: Over 400,000 new jobs have been created since we passed tax reform; unemployment has declined; our GDP is one of the strongest in the country; and we rank in the top-10 among all 50 states for wage growth.
My opponent is also claiming that I support a tax on medical services. This is an outright lie and it is also a scare tactic. I do not and never have supported a tax on medical services.
Spreading misinformation is a sign of desperation. My opponent is clearly desperate and he is willing to mislead the voters in an effort to get support. This is very unfortunate and it is unfair to the voters.
One thing that I learned from Congressman Howard Coble is to show integrity and be honest with the voters. That is what I have done and that is what I will continue to do. It is sad that the same cannot be said for my opponent.
District 59 Rep. Jon Hardister
Say No to Car Shows
Dear Editor,
With the information coming out of California that the woman used her car to mass murder seven people, I must insist in the spirit of fairness and political correctness that the City of Greensboro cancel all future car shows. To quote the mayor – we’ve got to do something.
Anonymous
Send to letters@rhinotimes.com or 216 W. Market St., Greensboro 27401
