SUN JOURNAL NEW BERN: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Beware of backlash
2010-10-12

Hello. Is anyone listening? The State of North Carolina’s economic development, finance and tax organizations provide a variety of incentive programs to initiate new business and commercial investment. Programs include the One North Carolina Fund, Composite Bonds Program, and the Article 3J Tax Credit Program. From bonds and tax credits to monetary and non-monetary incentives, North Carolina has the power to induce new business into the state. In 2009, the Democrats voted for a state budget that raised $1 billion in additional taxes. Can you guess who pays that bill, and you wonder why the state has problems? The budget is $19 billion with increased taxes during a recession. It makes no sense.

With regard to the Nicholas Sparks film, “The Lucky One,” it will be filmed in Louisiana, which allots a 30 percent tax incentive on any motion picture project without caps on the size of the film or talent pay. North Carolina offers 25 percent and recently raised the film tax cap from $7.5 million to $420 million, with a cap on talent at $1 million. The previous Sparks film, “The Last Song,” was filmed in Georgia, which offered a 30 percent total tax credit. We could have matched them if we had wanted to.

The smear campaign letter of Sept. 26 throws innuendos out like a fastball pitcher — some are home runs and some are outs. That letter to the editor goes after groups for their perceived reverse support of a candidate implying that they are buying a N.C. House seat. These North Carolinian men are looking at the bigger picture. We have a Democratic-controlled state legislature; consequently, every House seat is important to bring conservative, fiscal responsibility and common sense to Raleigh. This is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue — it’s a progressive vs. conservative issue and what is best for district, our state, and our country.

Art Pope, president and vice-chairman of the board of directors for Variety Wholesalers, Inc. and a director of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), is a conservative. AFP organized national Tax Day Tea Parties and works to expose elected officials who choose to ignore the will of the voters. AFP is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process beginning at the grassroots level. What’s wrong with educating the voters on issues and candidates? Our schools barely educate our children on our rich history and the electoral process and parents are neglectful of demonstrating it as well. It’s easier to say, “I’m a Democrat or a Republican and you are too.” Imagine parents saying to their children, let’s review the candidate’s qualifications or the incumbent’s voting record, and then will make a decision, but don’t get me started on that subject, for now.

Murchison B. Biggs, chief financial officer of K.M. Biggs, Inc., a farming and retail sales company, is a conservative. What’s wrong with believing in fiscal responsibility and free-enterprise?

Fred Eshleman, CEO of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPD) is a conservative. What’s wrong with believing that smaller, less intrusive government is better for the economy?

Real Jobs NC, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, believes we need to return to a reliance on the free enterprise system that made our country great. Government doesn’t create jobs – businesses do. We all know that if government purports to create a job, it does it with money taken from individuals and businesses in the form of taxes. Real and new wealth can only come from new jobs created by the private sector. The goal of Real Jobs NC is to promote the principles of limited government, low taxation, and other policies as a means to create jobs in North Carolina. Tea party anyone?

Yes. Real Jobs NC paid for ads to inform voters. These ads were not intended as attacks on incumbents. Rather for the decisions they made in office, but hey if the truth hurts, so be it. For example, Real Jobs NC paid for a mailer advertisement that said, “Democrat State Representative Alice Underhill Voted to spend $2.7 Million on Polar Bears.” The purpose was to inform and let the citizens decided if they approved of her decision. The ad clearly states the ad was not authorized by a candidate. Thank God, citizens are finally getting tired of the blame game and realize that excessive spending at the local, state, and federal level must stop. We simply cannot afford it.

We have three candidates running in the race for the N.C. House of Representative District 3 seat. Democrat Alice Underhill is the incumbent who has served three terms in the General Assembly. Underhill stated that her “most important single accomplishment, working with Rep. William Wainwright, is helping to secure funds for the N.C. History Education Center at Tryon Palace.” OK. Let’s review her complete voting record before we cast our ballot, shall we?

Candidate Norman Sanderson defines himself as “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.” A businessman and former Deputy Sheriff in Pamlico County, Sanderson wants to bring focus on the needs of our citizens, reduce government spending, and balance the budget. He is not a career politician. He’s a citizen, like you and me, standing up and saying, “Enough is enough — I want to be a part of re-establishing conservative values and fiscal responsibility in our state.” I like the sound of that, thank you.

Candidate Herb Sobel is a Libertarian who believes, “We are in for a long, cold, dark period. I hope we still have enough freedom at the end to turn back these kinds of political systems that create a very difficult climate for people to prosper.” Give me positive and common sense thinking, please.

When individuals see a wrong being committed it is their duty to assist. It’s no different with politics. Individuals are allowed to contribute $4,000 per election. Corporations are prohibited from contributing money to a candidate. Believe it or not, it’s difficult raising money to run for an elected office. Since when is donating to a political candidate immoral or illegal? It is our civic duty to donate time and money to the candidates we choose to support and to the candidates we believe will help our state and country. When will we be accused of buying our way into heaven by donating and volunteering our time and money to our churches and synagogues? Hmm? Can’t have it both ways, you know?

Remember this, crucifying Pope, Biggs, Eshleman, AFP, and Real Jobs NC for reporting on Alice Underhill’s record and by reverse extension endorsing Norman Sanderson is not a reportable offense. If it is, then let’s attack the millions of individuals who donate time and money to their candidates. Go after them all — go ahead but beware of the backlash.

Cheryl Lee Switzer, CCTA MEMBER
New Bern

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