Well over a half century ago, the infringements, abridgments and usurpations of government against our liberties ordained in the Bill of Rights began. Recently, this has accelerated to an intolerable assault on our Constitution, individual freedoms, and personal prosperity. Reasonable, freedom loving individuals see the dangers posed by the centralization of government power and realize the power-mania and greed of the few that chart this course must be reined in. Unfortunately, the seeming ignorance and apathy of millions of Americans may not make this possible in our immediate future.

This authoritarian government, and opportunistic demagogues, are currently taking advantage of the emotions created by the heinous events perpetuated by seeming mentally ill individuals. Claiming “the interest of [so-called] safety,” these demagogues have accelerated their assault on the 2nd Amendment which states "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Why? The 2nd Amendment answers that question as it also states, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state." Thomas Jefferson once said, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” The 2nd Amendment was established as a safeguard against tyranny.

There seems a significant difference of opinion as to whether expanding Medicaid will be more costly to the State of North Carolina than the advantages such a broadening would bring about in our state. Adam Searing (N.C. Justice Center) argues strongly in favor of expansion citing job creation and an increase in eligibility and other blessings, not the least of which is the premise it will cost N.C. nothing for three years (Macon County News, Feb. 7). Experience tells us that when the federal government hands out money it comes with serious strings attached.

Searing also claims that by expanding Medicaid, "N.C. will leverage at least $15B in federal funds over the next decade." May I advance the plausibility that if every state received $15B to play with, our national debt (already exceeding $16 trillion) would also expand an additional $750B. God only knows how many hundreds of billions of dollars we have spent on the "war on poverty" since the 1960s, and we have more hand-to-mouth existence now than we did then. Those who profit from poverty have made a fortune. Maybe that's a "wash," we have been taken to the cleaners.

Words just cannot describe how we felt when we walked into Cartoogechaye School and saw the number of people that had turned out for the benefit for me. It is amazing how Macon County cares about people and want to help. I am blessed and so thankful to have so many friends! There is no way we will ever be able to thank everyone for all they have done. There were so many that gave of their time and talent to make the benefit a success.

We would like to thank each one that came out whether for a hot dog, to drop off a cake or to participate in the cake walk or auction. Also to everyone that donated - food for the dinner, items for the auction or raffle and all the monetary donations.

I think it’s wrong for the state to close all the sweepstakes game rooms. They create jobs for people out of work and provide rent to property owners. If they consider them gambling machines, then what is “Bingo” or “scratch-offs” or lottery tickets? They all require you to pay money for a chance to win money. So, if sweepstakes machines are illegal, then why aren’t the rest of them? It seems like “the casinos” are paying someone to keep the sweepstakes out.

Ronnie Holland — Franklin, N.C.