Editorials
Letter to the Editor – Will they be “Honor Bound and Fearless?”
Editor
The current Republican Primary Election in particular, a local race for NC Senate Dist 2, has the public and many voters confused with blatant twisted distortion of facts, innuendo and outright lies that are being spun to a mostly uninformed electorate. This confusion is as bad as I have ever seen in my participation in Republican Politics beginning about 1950, as a high school kid. I grew up in a household in which the Honor Code of the U.S. Military Academies was instilled in me and later had the honor of becoming and serving as an Army Officer via Army OCS where it was also expected of me. To “Lie, Cheat / Steal or to Allow or Condone Others or Those That Do” is just beyond the pale for me whether it is done as a military officer, civilian corporate executive, businessman, political candidate, local state or Federal employee or an elected official at any level from the township to the White House. Do I know it occurs, Yes. Do I ignore it, No. Do I condone it, No. Am I willing to confront it, Damn Right!
Recently, Representative Pat McElraft ( R ) who represents both Carteret and Jones Counties in the NC House, stood up and in a Letter to the Editors of local area newspapers ( Ignored by the New Bern Sun ) set the record straight in a gutsy political move. You see Representative McElraft, did what darn few elected officials seem willing to do today, she did the right thing without regard for her own political public service future or personal gain, SHE TOLD THE TRUTH! That was refreshing and that is what we all clamor for in our elected officials. Party loyalty or silence is great, but not at the expense of ones personal principles or the possible election of an unfit candidate. The same applies to elected public servants who sit on the sideline based on some idea/myth that because it is a primary election you should; sit back and not say anything even when you know what is being said is a lie or distortion . This is one of the problems in our modern American politics, elected officials/leaders who fail to stand on Principle and Truth and their seeming loss of a political moral compass once elected and /or their fear of loss of personal political legacy. The political lie moves quickly in the multiple modern systems of communication and is hard to refute.
So, will our Eastern North Carolina leadership, as elected officials/ public servants / party officials, continue to sit on the political sidelines in this critical 2012 NC. Primary Election or will they stand up and help set the public voting electorate straight? Will they be “Honor Bound and Fearless”?
Austin M “Gus” Wilgus, Lt.Col. Army Retired, Republican Precinct Chairman Emerald Isle NC
Emerald Isle NC
Letter to the Editor: Ramsey Looks Out for Number One
In his letter to the editor (Sunday, April 22), Rick Poillon defends Randy Ramsey’s substantial donations to Democrat candidates and the NC Democrat party. Mr Poillon says that as a business owner, Mr. Ramsey’ way of looking out for his own business interests, a way for him to grease the skids to gain favorable treatment for his business. Mr. Ramsey himself made similar comments at a recent GOP meeting in which he said that he is a business man, and that in an effort to develop a “conduit” between his business and the people in Raleigh, and to gain “inroads” in Raleigh for his business, he had contributed heavily to Democrat candidates, but that he had “been disappointed in them” (although he continued to contribute to their campaigns). Mr. Poillon defends Mr. Ramsey’s actions as “just the way politics work”. But I beg to differ. Norman Sanderson and his wife Linda have been small business owners for more than 20 years. But there is no record of them making huge political contributions to candidates and a political party that they simply don’t agree with in an effort to curry favor from Raleigh. So, is it “politics as usual”, or is Randy Ramsey just “looking out for number one”? And as your Senator, will he look out for the interests of all of eastern North Carolina, or will he still “look out for number one”? You decide.
Jennifer Hudson
Letter to the Editor re. Randy Ramsey’s Latest Misinformation
Editor,
If anyone had any doubt about Randy Ramsey’s true political leanings this week had to be the clincher. We have see more of the endless stream of slick glossy mailers and now radio attack ads targeting Norm Sanderson. The strange thing is that these attacks only go to show that Randy Ramsey is exactly what a number of us have been saying for weeks that he is really a liberal just like the folks he has been supporting and he has actually impugned every Republican in both the NC House and Senate for their stand against Obama-care.
The “misinformation” mailers say that Norm Sanderson voted to implement Obama-care. Anyone who follows North Carolina state politics knows this is pure BULL as Norm Sanderson co sponsored the Health Care Freedom Act which would have outlawed Obama-care in North Carolina.Unfortunately, Ramsey’s best political friend Governor Beverly Purdue VETOED it!
So, knowing that Sanderson was a leader in the fight against Obama-care what are these mailers referencing? Ramsey, cites House Bill 115 and perhaps he should have read it before letting his hot shot, out of state political handlers start a firestorm of lies. I have looked up the Bill on line and here are some facts you can look up also if you and your reporting staff or readers wish to.
1. The bill (115 ) is subtitled “ AN ACT TO PRESERVE STATE BASED AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHCARE INSURANCE MARKET AND PREVENT FEDERAL ENCROACHMENT ON STATE AUTHORITY BY ESTABLISHING THE NORTH CAROLINA BENEFIT EXCHANGE. Does that sound like a bill that supports Obama-care??
First this bill is a safety net for North Carolina in case the Federal Government forces Obama-care on us. We would have a plan in place to protect ourselves if the Supreme Court does not declare the whole thing null and void and if it does so, then House Bill (115) becomes null and void. This Bill was co-sponsored by Carteret’s NC Representative Pat McElraft and further it was supported by every Republican in the NC House, plus 18 Democrats. Only the most liberal Democrats voted against it so that tells you where Ramsey stands. It proves to me and others that Ramsey will do and say anything to get himself elected. He is more than willing to distort the Truth for his personal political gain which means to me he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing or RINO (Republican In Name Only) and probably thinks and hopes the electorate and average voters are to stupid to check things out.
I know there are people that will still support Ramsey no matter what he does or says. Some see him as a local who “is from around here” and that seems to trump the pile of evidence that grows as high as his mountain of mailers. It still amazes me when people who claim to be conservative Republicans can’t see that Randy Ramsey has all the trademark characteristics of a liberal Democrat used to buying influence, power, and position by hook or by crook. I am also amazed still that the only media in North Carolina really on this story is the Carolina Journal
Austin M. “Gus” Wilgus
A Letter from Representative Pat McElraft
To the Editor:
As a State Representative, I am fully aware that politics is not for the faint of heart. Any elected official understands that they will be judged on their voting record and I stand on my record over the years. But when people distort that record, you must defend yourself and those who stand with you.
Upon hearing of my legislative colleague Norman Sanderson’s intention of running for State Senate, I promptly endorsed his candidacy. I have personally witnessed his conservative values and work ethic in the State House and have no doubt he will be a strong conservative voice for Carteret, Craven and Pamlico counties. After lending my initial endorsement, I made no other public comment. I thought that was the right thing to do as a Republican to let the candidates fight this out. However, I can no longer remain silent since I, personally,and 67 other Republican Legislators have been brought into this with the latest Randy Ramsey Ad and flyer.
State Senate candidate Randy Ramsey recently aired a radio ad and sent out a mailer that accused Representative Sanderson of voting to implement ObamaCare. I was the co-sponsor of the bill that was referenced (HB115) and it was supported by every Republican member of the House as well as 18 conservative Democrats. Only the most liberal Democrats voted against this largely procedural bill that saved North Carolina taxpayers countless dollars. In fact, the full title of the legislation was An Act to Preserve State-Based Authority to Regulate the North Carolina Health Insurance Market and Prevent Federal Encroachment on State Authority by Establishing the North Carolina Benefit Exchange. As the name implies, it was designed to limit the power of ObamaCare. Randy Ramsey’s blatant misrepresentation of this bill was not only an attack on Norman Sanderson but on every Republican who voted for this piece of common-sense legislation.
The very first piece of business for the Republican led legislature in 2011 was passing House Bill #2, entitled Protect Health Care Freedom. I was proud to co-sponsor that bill with Representative Sanderson, knowing that it protected North Carolina’s citizens from ObamaCare and the overreaching authority of the Federal Government into your health care decisions. That important piece of legislation would be law today if had not been vetoed by Governor Bev Perdue.
For anyone to say that Norman Sanderson, myself or any Republican legislator supports ObamaCare is outrageous and a blatant misrepresentation of the facts. Randy Ramsey has either chosen to resort to distortion in a desperate attempt to gain votes or he has not researched the information his campaign team is releasing. Either way, the practice is unacceptable and should immediately cease.
Pat McElraft
Emerald Isle, NC
District 13 State Representative
Letter to the Editor: NC Marriage Protection Amendment
A March 26th letter in Friday’s Carteret News-Times from Dr. Anne S. York made several untrue assertions about North Carolina’s Marriage Protection Amendment, which will appear on the May 8th ballot. Dr. York claims that the MPA will adversely affect NC’s economic future; label NC as an intolerant state; increase mental health disorders and medical costs; and waste state resources on domestic violence cases. None of this is true. Nor, as she also maintains, is the amendment ambiguous. The MPA is very brief, simple and straightforward: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights or private parties pursuant to such contracts.”
Except for strengthening the existing law (NC General Statute 51-1.2), nothing really changes . Same-sex couples may still cohabitate; private businesses may still provide benefits to such couples if they so wish. Passage of the MPA – misnamed “Amendment One” by those opposed to it — will bolster the current definition of legal marriage as “one man and one woman,” ensuring that North Carolina’s children will mature in stable, balanced relationships, in families with both a father and a mother. As an amendment to the state constitution, the MPA will make it impossible for an activist judge to declare same-sex marriage unconstitutional. The current GS 51-1.2 is already under attack from a lesbian couple who have filed suit after being denied a marriage license.
Do not be misled by the myths from the ultra-liberal opposition. Do not allow the further erosion of the morals of our state.
On May 8th, vote for the Marriage Protection Amendment. To learn the truth about the MPA, visit VoteFORMarriageNC.com. To learn the truth, read your Bible.
Jere Geurin
Morehead City, NC
Letter to Editor – Update on Ramsey & County Republicans
I had hoped to respond to Ken Lang’s recent letter concerning Randall Ramsey’ obvious absence from all things Republican by providing an account of Mr. Ramsey’s attendance at the Crystal Coast Republican Women’s Club general meeting on Friday. Mr. Ramsey and a number of other local candidates asked for time to address that group, but he did not make an appearance, although he did make a call to excuse himself. I personally would like to hear Mr. Ramsey’s explanation of his true association with the Republican party. But that doesn’t appear likely to happen. Voters, if Mr. Ramsey won’t take on the tough issues right here at home, how can we expect him to function in Raleigh as our representative?
Jennifer Hudson
547 Broad Creek Loop Road
Newport, NC 28570
252-726-1318
Stay informed – - – Stay involved
Who Didn’t Show Up for the Party
Letter to the Editor
Who didn’t show up for the Party?
The Carteret County Republican Convention was Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Leon Mann Center in Morehead City, NC. It was as inspiring as it was informative. The Who’s Who in the county GOP were in attendance; well, almost everyone. A record breaking 96 delegates and guest attended this year, including NC Senator Jean Preston, and Representatives Pat McElraft and Norm Sanderson. Every Republican candidate in the County’s state, and local elections were present to tell the convention delegates their vision and plans for the state or county if they are elected, all EXCEPT one. Frank Palombo, who is challenging Congressman Walter B. Jones in the third District House race, was at the convention. Representative Norm Sanderson, and Mayor Ken Jones, candidates for the NC Senate race to replace retiring Senator Preston were there. Representative Pat McElraft, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, was there, as were Carteret County Commissioner hopefuls Harry Taylor, Elaine Crittenton, Jimmy Farrington, Larry Land, Terry Frank, and Craig Weber. Two District Judge candidates were also at the convention, Clinton Rowe and Dave McFadyen; and Debra Goldman, candidate for State Auditor was there. Only one Republican candidate from Carteret County didn’t show up to the Republican Party convention to address the delegates. It was the one who has donated nearly 15 times more money to the NC Democrat Party and Democrat candidates than he has to Republicans because in his words “they [the Democrats] best represent the voters in Carteret County.” Randy Ramsey didn’t come to the Party to face the Republican delegates to explain why over the last 15 years he has donated so much money to the Democrat Party, or why he hasn’t been seen at any Republican functions or fundraisers. Mr. Ramsey didn’t come to the Party to explain to the Republican delegates why much of the money he has raised thus far in his bid for the District 2 Senate seat has come from Democrat donors. Mr. Ramsey didn’t even come to the Party to tell the Republican delegates how he “will best represent the voters of Carteret County.” Mr. Ramsey didn’t show up for the Party to campaign or glad-hand the delegates. I guess you could say, Mr. Ramsey was a Carteret County Republican Party pooper.
Ken Lang
Stella, NC
252-777-3066
Letter to Editor – 99 Percent Spring
Editor,
Just when things have quieted down in the Occupy Movement, mostly due to winter’s cold rain and snow as well as and irritated Public officials, whispers are becoming voices for our Spring to come. Various online media sources are now reporting that the Occupy Wall-Street Movement known also as Occupy, has morphed in to The 99 Percent Spring. Just as our Red Bud trees are blossoming in North Carolina the ‘Red’s” of the Far Left are coming out like daffodils and reports are that there will be nationwide training sessions April 9th-15th for a new batch (100,00 +) of blooming idiots. The training of these pesky weeds of discontent, will be fertilized by MoveOn.Org’s new green Soros dollars, spread by the UAW, SEIU and other unions and watered by numerous left leaning groups and individuals to include Socialists and Communists. These folks have every intention of disrupting America. They will, in the guise of Democracy, attempt to move our center-right country more to the left by their outrageous behavior and demands, hoping that we’ll give ground to them in compromise. Check it out, Google up; 99 Percent Spring and see what is coming to North Carolina long before the Democrats hit Charlotte. Say where did that ACORN get buried? Will Eastern North Carolina’s cities, towns and campus’s be targeted? Stay tuned!
Austin M. Wilgus
Letter to Editor – We’re Just Frogs Dropped into Pot of Warm Water
Wow, what a week! Here we sit in warming gasoline while prices at the pump spiral up and up towards $4.00 and further. We are just like the proverbial “Frog In Warming Water”. But who’s worrying? The prices will all come down folks keep saying, but when? The answers are to be found in Raleigh and Washington. Could Bev Purdue call for a special session of the Legislature and redo the NC Fuel Tax? Could Obama call off his regulator Czars and open the way for the building of new refineries and sign the Keystone Pipeline Bill immediately to let Canada’s sand oil flow south? Sure, both of them could take those actions, but they won’t. They don’t care about regular folks daily use of cars for work and the American Dream of “Cruising” on a Sunday afternoon, the oldtime “Sunday Drive”. Ah, the “Sunday Drive”, a freedom thing, ironically that is the cover of the latest OUR STATE magazine. The Sunday Drive has sort of gone the way of the horse and buggy. How about high school kids going to the Local Drive In or Berger Joint and hanging out on a Friday or Saturday night? Is that a soon to be forgotten thing of the past? Sadly, it seems so. You see, we will all sit here like frogs and let it happen, we are so used to letting Joe or Jane do it, the Tea Party do it or worse yet Letting The Government Do it! We, you and me, our neighbors and friends are for the most part too damned lazy, sitting in our comfort zones, to get involved by writing letters, e-mailing or even phoning our elected officials. some of us don’t even bother to vote! We sit idly by waiting for a miracle from St. Bev or the Messiah Obama. We don’t even vet or check our local Candidates for Office like RINO Republican Candidate for NC Senate, Randy Ramsey, who in his own words tell you he is not a real Republican. He openly admits that he gave Big Dollars to Purdue, Basknight, Easley and Company and did we get better government as “Rino Randy”, expected? NO! We have the highest taxed fuel in the Southeast and about 3rd highest Lower Forty Eight and our roads are worsening. So, if you want to change things like the price of gasoline, roads or the economy, you must personally get involved. Start by going to political meetings, find out about the inside scoop on local and state candidates before you vote. Ask yourself, How’s That Hope and Change really working out that Obama and every Democrat ran in 2008? Now once again RINO (Republican In Name Only) Republicans or Pay to Play Republicans along with Democrats are trying quietly move a similar agenda as in 2008 ahead. The potential vehicle of change now may well be the American Automobile User/Owner/Voter that needs a quick “right turn” for a conservative voter refueling. Remember voting for a RINO (Republican In Name Only) will usually mean that a Democrat Policy or Position will be put in place or nudged ahead somewhere.
Austin “Gus” Wilgus
Emerald Isle, NC 28594
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