Letters to the Editor for Saturday, January 28, 2012

Time to ‘Occupy the Constitution’

I am deeply troubled with the content of the State of the Union Speech by President Obama. Please allow me to elaborate.

We as Americans have learned (or should have learned) that our Constitution is our framework to the gateway of freedom. The Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, clarify our freedoms and limit the power of the federal government by putting the power in the hands of the people.

Obama has asked Congress to “grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy so that our government is leaner, quicker and more responsive to the needs of the American people.” Our Constitution is set up to keep this kind of dictatorship from happening, regardless of political party. He took an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution. This is inherently dangerous, and not in his job description.

Obama also has a unique way of playing people against each other, such as rich against poor. Our Constitution grants all Americans the right to pursue the American dream. This dream consists of “the haves” and “soon to haves,” not the “haves” and have nots.” Make no mistake, everyone has the opportunity for the American dream. To pit people against each other and hold in contempt those that succeed is simply ludicrous. This is class warfare at its best.

Make no mistake. Our freedoms are in danger. We are the only ones who can protect them. We cannot all the separation that is being introduced. It will create a permanent underclass of people, whose sole existence will be to live off the government. This takes away from the real people that need our help. We have to rise above this. For those that may have forgotten the words of our Constitution, I request that you to go back, re-read, and re-educate yourself. It is time for us to “Occupy the Constitution.”

ROBERT E. SIMPKINS

Concord

Thanks from Habitat

The board of directors and staff of Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity (GLHFH) would like to thank the community for their generous response to our recent Christmas Appeal fundraiser. GLHFH only makes one public appeal for donations each year, and the amount of donations received the last two years was less than hoped for. We did not know what to expect this year, but have been delighted with the response.

With the funds received, GLHFH was able to finish construction and move a family into their new home on Polk Street just in time for Christmas. 

Funds have also been set aside as seed money to be used this spring for two more projects. With these funds, we will be able to keep our commitment to more than 70 high school and college students from across the country who will be traveling to Lynchburg on their Spring Break in March to begin work on our Collegiate Challenge Build and to a contingent of local youth who committed to work on the Youth Build beginning in April. The result of these two building projects will be two deserving families, including five children, moving from low-income housing into homes to call their own.

Again, GLHFH thanks the Lynchburg community for your continued support.

CAROLYN PRINCE

President

GLHFH Board of Directors