Letters to the Editor for Thursday, August 28, 2008

Published: August 27, 2008

Editorial forgot the ‘other’ Lynchburg
The Aug. 20 editorial in The News & Advance, “Welcome to the Hill City, Sen. Obama,” struck me as presumptuous as to the makeup of this city.

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Who is the “we” the editorial was speaking for?  Undoubtedly there is a segment in Lynchburg that is traditionally conservative — the “many of us” in the editorial who, for example, disdain government spending on expanding social programs.

But of course, this isn’t everyone in a diverse city of 71,000 people with a race and class makeup such as Lynchburg has. 

As someone who knocks on doors for the Obama campaign, I meet another segment of people who indeed “run a tight financial ship” in their homes and whose dwindled Social Security earnings keep them from making ends meet, who are “fair-minded” and who do not feel they have an equal vote, who are “pragmatic” and whose children remain uninsured.

Behind those doors are people who want a government that will help restore the promise of the American dream. They were the multitude on their feet cheering for Obama in the bleachers of E.C. Glass.

The newspaper’s editorial should have referenced just how complex a city this is. Beyond the traditionally conservative segment, there are many thousands who — like millions across the country — see in Barack Obama, the chance to restore hope and a genuine reason to believe in the future. In that sense, he was more than welcome here; he will also be welcomed warmly into the White House.
JENNIFER ABBASSI
Lynchburg

Obama’s got a plan
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that the economy is fundamentally strong like John McCain does.

My family is struggling with rising gas prices and rising food prices. How is it that a person doesn’t know how many houses he and his wife own? I own one and am having a hard time keeping up with the taxes we have to pay.

I am thankful that when Barack Obama is elected, my family will get a $1,000 tax cut. I seriously doubt that John McCain will do anything about the high gas prices when he has voted against funding alternatives energy for almost his entire political career.

I personally don’t think that Big Oil needs any tax breaks. I am hopeful that the people in this country will take a serious look at John McCain’s plans for the economy and for energy independence. I also would urge everyone to look into McCain’s voting record where funding for alternative energy is concerned.
JENNIFER MAYHEW
Rustburg

Christian leaders
I recall reading the New Testament which described religious leaders that actually had second jobs. Some were fishermen, some were carpenters and some repaired fishing nets. Yet, I never recalled any owning shopping centers.

Perhaps the religious leaders of the New Testament were silly old fogies who permitted their principles to interfere with fundraising, and their humility gave them second thoughts on building monuments to themselves and their family members.

Never heard of New Testament Christians demanding tax breaks or special status recognized by the government. In those early days of Christianity, the non-believers were considered a mission field; today’s modern pastors consider them a threat to their job security.
WILLIAM E. HAWKS
Lynchburg