Take the nicotine out of smoking

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Let the U.S. surgeon general or the powers that be make tobacco manufacturers eliminate the nicotine in cigarettes.

This is long overdue.

Maybe the insurance companies and hospitals would see less money floating into their pockets. Our society would be health­ier, and isn't that what our government, insurance companies, hospitals and doctors want to see?

DENISE CORMANY
ROANOKE

History supports one's right to bear arms

For a true understanding of the U.S. Constitution, one must first read the writings of the Founding Fathers.

Americans can lawfully possess firearms with or without the Second Amendment.

Amendments 9 and 10 say the federal government can do only what the Constitution says it can do and nothing else. Congress' powers are found in Article 1, Section 8. Nothing is mentioned there about firearms, so the people have a lawful right to arms.

The Constitution was given to protect the American people from oppressive, even tyrannical, government.

The Second Amendment addresses directly the militia and speaks only indirectly to private arms. Obviously, we could not have a militia with an unarmed populace.

The militia had nothing to do with the army or navy, and when it was to be called out, members came from home armed.

Finally, the Founding Fathers well understood that the right to arms was already protected by individual state constitutions. Article 1 of the Virginia State Constitution covers the private right to arms, so the founders had no real need to address it.

The federal government was never to supersede state government.

LARRY HUNT
CATAWBA

Protect benefits for future retirees

Social Security is a crucial program in rewarding our nation's senior citizens with a pension for their years of hard work before retirement.

Because this area appeals to many potential retirees, a high number of senior citizens above the age of 65 live in the New River Valley and rely heavily on Social Security to keep providing benefits.

Unfortunately, Congress is drafting legislation to drastically cut benefits and raise the retirement age for Social Security dependents. If a change in the method of figuring cost of living adjustments passes, retirees who depend on the program could be spending their remaining years in poverty.

As the number of retirees continues to increase in the New River Valley, Social Security benefits must maintain the status quo for the sake of thousands of NRV residents.

Virginia residents can call Sen. Mark Warner at 1-877-676-2759 and tell him to vote against reducing Social Security benefits. Callers may also leave messages expressing the desire for him to vote to extend taxing for Social Security benefits on income of U.S. citizens above $106,800 in order to fund benefits for the large number of additional people who will begin drawing Social Security in the coming years.

LUCAS PICKETT
BLACKSBURG

Roanoke's 1884 seal gets it almost right

Lots of chatter about our Roanoke city seal representing our locality.

In response to the solicitation for ideas or opinions, I offer my 2 cents.

The 1884 seal would be a better representation of who we are if Lady Justice were standing more erect, as opposed to her hips being thrust out to the right; and there should be a red, white and blue star on the left mountain peak.

Clean, simple, and we are the Star City of the South.

CLIFF GRIMSLEY
ROANOKE

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