What principles define America?

What principles are so basic that without them we would cease to be America?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, our Bill of Rights, would top my list.

Without the right to a “free press,” the right to speak our minds, would we still be America? No.

Without the “Right to Keep and Bear Arms,” would we still be America? No.

Without our other basic rights, would be still be America? No.

We are defined by our rights, by our freedoms. The foresight of our founding fathers makes us unique in the world.

And yet, not all in our own government believe in these rights or protect these rights, though most have taken an oath to do so.

In 2008, our Supreme Court finally decreed what Americans have always known, the Second Amendment protects our individual right to “Keep and Bear Arms.” By only one vote. In 2010 the Supreme Court again decreed what Americans already knew, the Second Amendment protects us from unlawful restrictions by state, local and/or city governments of our fundamental right to Keep and Bear Arms. Again, we won by only one vote.

Make sure you understand, you were one vote away from losing your Grandfather's old squirrel rifle, your shotgun, your handgun. One vote.

Obama has installed two Supreme Court Justices during his tenure, both with strong anti-Second Amendment records. Since they replaced Justices who had voted against “the people” in the above cases, the balance stayed the same.

The next president will likely replace two or more of those who voted for the people in those cases. If that next president is Obama we will lose that “one vote” that saved our freedom. And, don't forget, Supreme Court Justices serve for life.

I'm not a conservative, I'm not a Mitt Romney fan, but he’ll get my vote in November. Any mistake Romney makes as president we can recover from.

But, an Obama Supreme Court will destroy the very basis of what makes us America. An Obama Supreme Court is a mistake this country can probably never recover from. A mistake our children and grandchildren will hate us for and a mistake which will make our Forefathers spin in their graves.

I pray it’s a mistake we don’t make.

— Mike Frye

Brazil

Where are facts to back up claims?

I feel the need to respond to the letter of Oct. 17 from Mr. Roy Gartin of Clay City.

Mr. Gartin, I assume that your purpose in writing was to dissuade people from voting for Mr. Obama. While you are entitled to your opinions about the man, to many voters those opinions are valid only if they are supported by facts.

You wrote: “As I drive, I see signs in yards supporting Obama. I wonder, are these people informed of what this man is up to? Do they believe in freedom and the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution? If they do, they are supporting someone who doesn’t.

“He has many times done things against the Constitution of the United States.”

This is a serious charge — especially the “many” part of it. You say we aren’t informed — inform us exactly as to the “many” times he has violated the Constitution, and how. And perhaps you should also inform the Supreme Court, as they are the ones who decide on constitutionality.

And this: “Mr. Obama violated his presidential oath of office, by which he swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the U.S.”

This is very bad indeed, and, it’s true that I’ve not been informed of this. When and how did he do this?

“He told Attorney General Eric Holder not to enforce some laws.”

Again, I would like for you to inform me about this. Which laws? How many is “some?”

“Obama has treaties he wants signed from the U.N. that the United States would lose our sovereign republic.”

Wow. What treaties are these? Again, inform me. Also inform me how he expects to get these past Congress, as they have some say in it, and are not likely to approve of something that would cause us to lose our “sovereign republic.”

“If you believe in the Second Amendment, it will be gone.”

When has he ever shown or said that he is against the Second Amendment? I must have missed that, so inform me, please. Quotes, if possible.

“He has even said he wants to destroy the coal industry, and he has already started doing that.”

When and where did he say this? Can you quote him? How has he started doing that?

“In closing, the way I see it, if you vote for any candidate who supports Obama, you are helping destroy America and more of our freedom.”

Mr. Gartin, you imply in your letter that if people were better informed, they would not vote for Obama. All I’m asking is that you better inform us on the matters you mention, so that we don’t continue to wade in ignorance.

— Judy Dukes

Terre Haute



A wake-up call

on campaign donations

Brian Howey’s column in the Sunday paper should be a big wake-up call for all of us. Look at all the money different groups are giving to have “their man” elected. What do they want in return from the victor? What is their payoff for the big investment?

Maybe sweet deals for the drug, insurance or health care companies are behind this. Anybody watch the show “American Greed?” There is a big club called Congress that years ago found out they could vote themselves pay and perks for life using the taxpayers’ money. They also get money for their election ads and from lobbyists. We have the best political system that money can buy, and some may be from outside out country.

That said, I’m now going to send a letter to Addison Barry Rand, CEO of AARP telling him why I will not send them money to help lobby for Social Security or Medicare. Many of your readers may have received the AARP mailing, asking for money and to sign a petition for the above causes. I suggest that AARP use their state-by-state newsletter to promote a grassroots vote to take away the retirement and perks from the Congress.

They get their pay for life after serving one term, yet want to defer a serviceman who faced war and bullets for 20 years to age 60 or more. Obama (and Congress?) wanted to make the insurance carriers for the National Guard units pay for their war wounds “to save the taxpayers money.” That was shot down quickly. The military will vote soon for the Commander-in-Chief and his support to them.

My rant is done for now. Thank you.

— David Marter

Terre Haute



It’s time to make important choice

This letter is to those of you who have not decided who you will vote for or, even if you will vote. You may be thinking four more years of the same won’t matter that much. I would ask you to consider some of the following points.

The next president could very well appoint two or three justices of the Supreme Court. Those appointees will be making judgments for the next 20, 30 or even more years. If those appointments are made by a re-elected Obama, they will be liberal, activist judges who believe the Constitution is a living, changing document that can be adapted to meet the needs of the day, or needs of the political climate, as opposed to honoring the Constitution as our founders intended — a Constitution that has served us well for 225 years and made us the envy of the world.

If the president is re-elected the impact of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) will be felt by the elderly and the middle class as the different phases kick in — phases that were intended to kick in after the election. The longer this massive government plan is in place, the more difficult it will be to change and the more damage it will do to our economy.

If the president is re-elected, our image on the world stage will continue to deteriorate. Our current president believes the United States should play a smaller part in world affairs. He believes the U.N. should be making decisions about laws in our nation regarding guns and taxes. It could take generations to reverse such potential changes.

I don’t believe we can wait four years to vote again. We have to do it now. It isn’t a question of being a Democrat or a Republican this time. It’s a question about what kind of country we want for our children. Do we want freedom to think and do for ourselves? Do we want to be a debtor nation?

Do we want a strong, proud America or do we want to allow some other nation to lead? Do we want to honor those who have fought and died for the freedoms we have or do we want to give it up to those who see differently? The vision this president has of America is not a vision I share, and on election day, I will let him know it. Please join me. It’s time to decide.

— Mike Collins

West Terre Haute



An opinion, and nothing more

I am writing concerning your front-page article about Ms. Mary Kahl, “The gloves are off.” According to her opinion, and I must emphasize the word “opinion.” her contention is that Mitt Romney was disrespectful toward the

president.

This is her opinion and she is entitled to it just as I am entitled to mine. The only difference is that my opinions are printed on the Opinion page of your newspaper whereas Ms. Kahl’s are printed on the front page. I always thought that the front page of a newspaper was reserved for news.

Mr. Romney not only had to debate Mr. Obama but he also had to deal with Candy Crowley the moderator. Ms. Crowley was totally biased, which was no surprise to me. Proven point was when she sided with the president when he stated that he called the killing of Ambassador Stevens an act of terror the very next day in the Rose Garden. It turns out that she was wrong and Romney was right and she had to back track on her comments the next day.

This president, who by the way promised that his administration would be the most transparent in history, has repeatedly tried to cover up and lie to the American people. From Fast and Furious, executive privilege, Major Nidal Hasan’s killing of 13 fellow solders at Fort Hood, workplace violence, the back-room deals to get Obamacare passed, to name just a few.

It took over two weeks before he labeled the killing of our ambassador and three other American’s an act of terror. During these more then two weeks he spoke to the UN blaming the killings on a video. He then produces and releases a video of his own that was funded by taxpayer money, apologizing to the radical Islamist because a video may have offended them. I could go on and on but my time and your space won’t allow it.

I will close by saying that it’s time to elect a man that will restore not only jobs but integrity to our great country. Vote for Mitt Romney on Nov. 6.

— Richard Hoffman

Clinton



Look closely at Pence’s record

To listen to Mike Pence’s TV ads, you might think he would be a good choice for governor. But his record in Congress has been terrible, especially for women. He has voted to cut funding for women’s reproductive health services, education, and has refused to work with congressional Democrats, as well as with President Obama.

John Gregg, on the other hand, a Democrat, has worked with Republicans and been able to balance the budget in a bipartisan way. Gregg’s experience has not been just working in government but in business and in education as well.

Speaking of education, Glenda Ritz, who is a candidate for Secretary of Public Instruction, is one whom we need in that position. We need other men and women who are willing to work with people whom they will not always agree.

Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill did this very well. So did Ted Kennedy, which made him a very effective senator. Joe Donnelly will be that kind of senator, and so will Dave Crooks in Congress, and Mark Spelbring in the Indiana Legislature.

I would also recommend Nancy Swaim and Dave Burns, candidates for commissioners in Parke County. The point I try to make is that we need, especially in today’s hostile climate, people who are willing and able to see other points of view, people who have high ideals of their own, but recognize and try to work with others who disagree.

If we expect Congress and our state and local government to solve any of our tremendous problems, we must work together.

— Jane White

Rockville