Letters to the Editor

News Virginian
Published: April 15, 2008

Conservatism lacks successful execution

In a recent editorial, The News Virginian claims that conservatism still works. Perhaps conservative principles have merit, but the execution of those principles by the Republican Party has been a miserable failure.

Balanced budget: The president and the Republican majority created a record budget deficit with pork barrel allocations that make even Democrats blush. Family values: The party is led by two adulterers. Newt Gingrich, who was having an extramarital affair while he was criticizing Bill Clinton for his peccadilloes, and Rudy Giuliani who was wining and dining his mistress on city funds.

Republicans have claimed the mantle of being strong on national defense and protecting our borders, so how is it that the largest influx of illegal immigration occurred during their watch- And let's not forget about that basic conservative value of keeping big government out of the private lives of citizens. Read the Patriot Act recently- The CIA doesn't even need a subpoena to require libraries to provide a list of the books you check out.

However, the greatest failure has been in equating individualism with materialism. Republicans have aligned themselves with lobbyists and fundraisers and, in the process, have enriched themselves while turning a blind eye to those who need their support. Democrats are certainly not guiltless in this department either. Evangelical minister Jim Wallis notes that Republicans are "good at looking after their wealthy constituents, but when did Jesus become pro-rich-" A good example is the president's rare use of the veto to reject increasing the number of families eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Republicans' refusal to override his veto.

In a time when Americans are hungry for a sense of personal worth and spiritual meaning, all that the president can offer is a tax rebate. Conservatism still works- Works at what-

David Colton

Waynesboro

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Waynesboro residents are in council's minority

There has been some discussion lately by this paper as well as members of the council regarding majority versus minority. Smith may not like being considered "in the majority," but most of her voting says otherwise.

When three out of five council members are given information well in advance of a council meeting and the other two are given that information just prior to the meeting, what does that suggest- When a topic can be brought up (using the government channel for a debate) and three out of five council members are ready to promote it while the other two are trying to catch up to what has obviously been previously discussed without their knowledge, what does that suggest- When money is "found" in the budget and three out of five council members have already decided where that money should be spent (Wayne Theatre Alliance) well before the council meeting, what does that suggest-

Those are just a few of the reasons why the citizens of Waynesboro know there is a majority and a minority on the council. We know because we, the taxpayers, have not been heard on some issues when it comes to spending our money. We are in the minority, along with the other two members that presently sit on the council.

We have an opportunity to become part of the process, not just bystanders. May 6 will give all of us an opportunity to bring about that change.

Bruce Allen, Frank Lucente and Tim Williams will see to it that the taxpayers of this town are heard and count. They will be humble servants to the people rather than expecting the people to be humble servants to them.

Joe Hall

Waynesboro

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Frank Lucente serves as council's voice of reason

It is my hope that Frank Lucente is re-elected to City Council.
Lucente is the voice of reason in limiting taxes and methods of financing the stormwater program.

He is the pivotal vote that could return the City Council to the people of Waynesboro.

Fellow citizens, please, I ask you to support Frank Lucente in letters and vote on Election Day.

Harold Pettit

Waynesboro