Letters to the Editor for Thursday, February 9, 2012

Voter fraud, the GOP’s fake issue

Nancy Hunter, in her Feb. 7 letter to the editor, writes that showing an ID for the privilege of voting “should not be more offensive than when you show similar ID when you cash a check, use a VISA card, drive a car … .”

Hunter, as many other Republicans, misses the point. Many older individuals or low-income folks don’t drive a car or have a driver’s license. Why does she think Centra Health was so concerned when GLTC wanted to cut night bus service on Rivermont Avenue. It wasn’t because the doctors wouldn’t be able to get to work.

Hunter may also not be aware that many elderly and low-income folks do not have checking accounts or credit cards.  If Hunter went to the 7-Eleven or the post office once in a while, she might notice that a lot of folks buy money orders. I think even other establishments such as banks sell money orders.

Now, let’s address getting these voter ID cards. Where will they be available? The Department of Motor Vehicles is probably the only place because they have readily accessible photo ID machines. But how do folks get to the DMV if they don’t have a car or can’t afford to take a cab? I doubt very much if GLTC will provide acceptable transport in Lynchburg.

So, Hunter, despite all the logic she presented, is wrong. This has nothing to do with the Democratic Party — this is a direct Republican attempt to disenfranchise low-income and elderly folks from voting. 

MYLES JACKSON

Lynchburg

Many choices abound

Last week, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced that it would shift $680,000 of funding for cancer screening from Planned Parenthood to other agencies, resulting in no decrease of funding for the cause itself. When it came under fire from pro-choice activists for the decision, the founder asserted, “We don’t base our decisions on whether one side or the other will be pleased.” Now that they’ve reversed their decision, I wonder if she’ll say the same thing again.

If we look carefully, those of us concerned about promoting awareness and research in the area of breast cancer will find a variety of wonderful avenues for funding these important concerns, many of which are not associated with Planned Parenthood.

DAVID C. ETHERIDGE

Lynchburg

Conflicting freedoms

I have to wonder if those supporting the Catholic institutions in their battle over federal laws would be as supportive if it was a Muslim group objecting to laws that they claim violate Sharia law.

Is that the country we want? Every religion picking and choosing which laws to follow? Our freedom to practice our religions has to end at the point where, in doing so, we are restricting the freedoms of others.

JAMES TODD

Pamplin