Letters to the Editor for Thursday, July 2, 2009

Perriello betrrayed district in energy vote
I was very disappointed in Rep. Tom Perriello’s betrayal of the people in the Fifth District by casting a vote that will raise everyone’s energy costs, send production jobs overseas and provide more federal control over our lives. With our adopting these restrictions on industry in the face of a recession and trade deficit with non-conforming countries is beyond comprehension. He and his colleagues could not have designed a better way to destroy our country.

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I watched the debate about HR 2454 on C-SPAN. Congress’ betrayal of trust has made June 26 a day of mourning for America.

I was particularly troubled in the stance taken against the common-sense proposal by Rep. Randy Forbes of Virginia, which would have done more to protect the environment by all accounts with no raising of taxes than the massive power grab Perriello supported. It provided incentives for clean technology, provided for drilling so that we could be energy-independent, provided for the use of solar, wind, hydro and nuclear generation of energy to support our industries.

The fact that much of the bill was unread by anyone as the 309-page amendment was submitted at 3:09 a.m. and not even integrated for review while the vote was being cast is an abomination to what this country once stood for. Yes, I know that Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a plane to catch, but for heaven’s sake, couldn’t the vote be delayed until everyone could read it and discuss it with their constituents?

Representatives who represent their districts as well as the people of the United States, not just the House political leadership, should at least know what you are voting for. There is no way you, or anyone else could. Blindly following the leadership is a true sign of weakness.

One representative, speaking against the bill, said this is a choice between liberty and tyranny. Sadly, unlike the great patriot Patrick Henry, who is buried a short distance from my home and who chose liberty, Rep. Perriello did not.
WILLIAM DAVID STUMP Jr.
Brookneal

Not newsworthy
I was really shocked to see the June 26 front page of The News & Advance with nothing but the death of Michael Jackson. I don’t believe you would have put that much on the front page if someone really important had died.

Surely there were more important stories for the front page. Not only was it on the front page for one day — but two. Think about what is really newsworthy for the front page.
JOYCE HAMMACK
Monroe