In Trump, GOP has their Wilford Brimley face
For years, I have suggested that, to succeed, the Republican Party needed to put forth a different face. I called it the Wilford Brimley face. Wilford was a character actor who had the presence, look, and voice to command respect and confidence. A great example was his portrayal of a U.S. Attorney General in the film “Absence of Malice.” This imaginary candidate would simply appear on TV and say “Folks, we have a big problem” and people would believe him. I contend that Mr. Trump is, in many ways, my Wilford. I’d like to see the party recognize the potential value he represents and work with it rather than fight it.
RICHARD SOUREN, CANTON
Socialism’s money runs out eventually
Capitalism has improved the lives of Americans and people around the world more than any other system in history, yet our liberal-dominated news media supports policies that increase an already-bloated, oppressive government. Democrat candidates for president are selling a false narrative promising their constituents the problems will be solved by taking more from the rich.
Obama is moving our nation toward a European-style socialist economy where the unemployment rate is over 11 percent. We have 93 million Americans not working, 50 million on food stamps and a $19 trillion debt, and Democrat candidates want to make it worse with policies that will increase those numbers dramatically. Socialist societies around the world have failed or are failing because politicians, with support from their national news media, promise more than they can deliver.
Eventually the money runs out, and there’s no one to blame; people are happy to give up their freedoms for a few bread crumbs that Communism offers.
TOM GAMBESKI, JASPER
Sowell wrong on education spending
As a 16-year-old student, I must disagree with Thomas Sowell, who argued in his Feb. 23 column for the rejection of Bernie Sanders' plans for free college. Sanders' economic plans are perhaps quixotic, but history has taught us (well, evidently not all of us) that education is naturally underprovided by Sowell's beloved free market. Therefore, government must embrace Keynesian ideas and cover at least some of the cost of a good that will increase levels of human capital and productivity.
I do not want lower costs of education because I’m too lazy to pay for it; I want our government to help provide what will only boost American quality of life in the long term. I hope that, eventually, conservatives will see the value of spending on college education instead of, I don’t know, tax cuts on capital gains for the 1 percent. But that’s just a thought.
DAVID TAYLOR, SANDY SPRINGS
Pastors don’t need protection from gays
A March 1 letter writer mistakenly believes that the “religious freedom bill” is needed to protect pastors from being forced to perform same-sex weddings. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in all states specifically upholds the First Amendment rights of religious organizations and individuals to follow their beliefs about marriage (see Obergefell v. Hodges, section IV). No religious clergy will be forced to perform wedding ceremonies that conflict with their faith.
The court opinion also states that it concerns only civil marriage, not religious marriage. Therefore, the so-called religious freedom bill is completely unnecessary for that purpose and can only be seen as an attempt to arouse public concern about pastors’ freedom as a cover for legalizing discriminatory practices in the business community.
Let’s be clear. It is not the business community that wants this bill, as their massive lobbying efforts have made clear.
RALPH ROUGHTON, ATLANTA
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