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Tuesday, September 3, 2013
It’s not libertarians who hijacked the GOP
It is far-fetched to conceive the GOP hijacked by radical libertarians.
The left wing of the Democratic Party will always reveal those from whom it recoils long before the right identifies them.
If only such admonishment occurred while the Democrats were being hijacked by the gluttony of extremists who are currently admired.
Professor John Winfrey’s commentary (“Rise against tea party libertarians,” Aug. 29) is simply another unsubstantiated piece of political exaggeration to evoke a never-ending disdain for smaller government.
Whether readers are provoked by the darkened face of an American Revolutionary stomping the caricature of an elephant, the depiction of a secular Ayn Rand on an anti-Christian crusade or the unwarranted stereotypical racist insult, his attempt to marginalize and impugn libertarian support of the tea party is predictable.
Typical libertarians are not radical, imperialist war-mongers with a preference for failed stimulus, massive personal data collections, porous borders or tax collection agencies controlling health insurance programs. These policies remain unencumbered by a willing GOP.
If the party has been hijacked, it was accomplished by lukewarm moderates years ago.
KEVIN LAMAR DOWNS
ROANOKE
Cuccinelli has a good plan for education
Parents, teachers and students alike have cause to celebrate Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s education plan. His plan eliminates the blockades that physical infrastructure, transportation and geography have imposed on students’ learning opportunities.
Financial resources can be allocated where we agree they are needed most: to teachers.
With shared resources across the state, the learning playing field will be level. The plan allows for children to get their needs met by real teachers, albeit in a nontraditional setting.
Contrast that with the child who has needs that simply cannot be met due to budget constraints or low enrollment for a particular class — or the lack of the class offering at all.
I am excited that children will develop real skills in technology simply by engaging in the course work.
Research skills and program manipulation are an added bonus that will be carried into the work force to enhance their skill value and confidence.
With Cuccinelli as governor of Virginia, teachers and students will have more opportunity.
DEBBIE MOHAY
PULASKI
That was just a sample of traffic jams to come
Attention, Elliston and Shawsville residents.
You have just had a taste of what the intermodal yard will be like — with a few cars thrown in.
HENRY HAKOLA
SHAWSVILLE