Jerry Dodson's letter in the Oct. 14 edition was exactly right. What does the GOP really stand for anymore? Mark Otto tried to tell us in a Nov. 4 letter. But then, what does the Democratic Party stand for?

Neither major party, in reality, stands for much any longer. They both endorse the same tired ideas of tax and spend. Both parties are driving the nation toward the same cliff, one in a sports car and one in a wagon. Same final destination, same disastrous results.

There is a true alternative for the voters of North Carolina, and that is the Libertarian Party. As their name suggests, their focus is personal liberty. We believe that the best government is at the state and local level and that D.C. routinely violates the Constitution.

We believe that welfare programs destroy the lives they are meant to help; bailouts reinforce the bad behavior that caused the problem to begin with; doctors know better how to provide health care than a bureaucrat; a dollar backed by the promises of the Federal Reserve is worthless paper; true national security begins with providing our energy needs from domestic sources and creating jobs at the same time; that the U.S. has no business meddling in the affairs of other nations and starting "wars of convenience." The list goes on and on.

So yes, the GOP doesn't stand for much, but Mr. Dodson and Mr. Otto, that is like the pot calling the kettle black. If you want to learn more about the Libertarian Party, you can go to www.lp.org or www.lpnc.org. We're also on Facebook: Johnston County Libertarian Party.

Thomas C. Imler

Clayton

The writer is vice chairman of the Johnston County Libertarian Party.

They can't take what away?

Today we are celebrating Veterans Day. On this day, as on many patriotic holidays in the United States, many Americans will probably be listening to the song "I'm Proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood. Earlier this year, on Memorial Day, I sat beneath a red-and-white-striped tent and listened to an enthusiastic gentleman sing this song. The first verse goes: "If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, and I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away." As I listened, a whirl of melancholy emotions rushed through my heart. Yes, we are a free people, and two centuries after it was founded, America is still a free nation. We still have most of our freedom, but who said it can't be taken away?

My friends, our freedom CAN be taken away from us. Some of the American rights and policies most articulated and loved by our founders have already been taken away. Many of our rights will continue to be taken away. And the most dangerous thing for us to do as Americans is to think we are immune to such a treachery.

There is a character in a movie that I love who says, "Julian, there will always be those who try to corrupt the pure." This character is right. There will always be people who undermine the necessity of a solid moral code.

There will always be people who sit back and watch as something beautiful is marred and corroded before there eyes. There will always be people who worship at the feet of ease and materialism while the very essence of their being is ripped out from beneath their feet.

Fellow citizens, we are those people. We have belittled the absolute truth of God's word and called it "political correctness." We have condoned perversions and called it "alternative lifestyle." We have neglected the needy and called it "self-interest." We have rewarded laziness and called it "welfare." We have killed our unborn and called it "choice." We have neglected to discipline our children and called it "self-esteem." We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it "freedom of expression." We have ridiculed the time-honored values of the people who built this nation and called it "progress." I ask, Is this freedom, people? Is this what we have done with the legacy left to us by the sweat and blood of faithful Americans? Is this prosperity?

Not only have we wasted our own freedom, but we have also sat back and willingly allowed some of our freedoms to be taken from us.

You might disagree with me. You might think we are just as free today as we were when the nation was founded. Well, for anyone who thinks this, are you aware that there was a time in America when taxes were imposed only during time of war or to pay off wartime debt? Did you know there was a time when a man, standing on his own land, had the liberty to raise a new barn or build a new house without the permission of his state politicians? Did you know there was a time in America when it was unheard of to have to be licensed by the government in order to get married? This is just a scratch on the surface of a long list of encroachments on our rights by the federal government.

I am not against the practice of having a federal government. I am very much for it. But the people of a nation have to understand that they cannot just hand power over to the government and sit back while the government runs with it. We have to be involved. We have to hold our politicians accountable. We have to stop idolizing them and start to keep a watch on them. After all, they too, are mere men. And yes, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but some of them do try to corrupt the pure. And we are too passive and naive to stop them. Get up on your feet, Americans. Learn about the principles written in the Constitution. It's not an encrypted document. With a little effort, you can understand it. I can, and I'm only 19.

As of today, the flag does still stand for freedom. But what about tomorrow? They can't take our freedom away, huh? Says who, I want to know? Says who?

Elise Allen

Smithfield

Story made a difference

Recently you wrote a wonderful article regarding the Johnston County Bookmobile. Because of your article, the Bookmobile is currently at Waccamaw Transport in Selma for an evaluation and possible repair work.

Upon dropping the Bookmobile off at Waccamaw, Danny Page welcomed me with his entire garage staff. I just wanted to let you know how powerful your article was, and I wanted to shoot some attention to the guys at Waccamaw who responded with such generosity and kindness to your article.

Yeedah Krasowski

Bookmobile Coordinator, Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield

Poll workers say thanks

On behalf of the poll workers at the North Smithfield 2 Precinct, I want to thank Jimmy Davis and the great folks at Pizza Hut for once again sending an afternoon pick-me-up -- some delicious pizza.

Poll workers start their day at 6 a.m. and might not leave the polling place until the election is completed and the votes there are counted -- usually a 14- to 15-hour day. Hot food is a wonderful treat in a very long day.

Thank you again, Pizza Hut.

Lynn Johnson

Republican Judge, North Smithfield 2 Precinct