
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 22, 1995                   TAG: 9507240008
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE GAMES' HEROES

FOR THE first time, I became aware of the scope and breadth of the Commonwealth Games. What a wonderful community effort to support and showcase athletes from around the state. It takes tremendous effort, time and caring to put on the games.

To an outsider, it seems to run smoothly and efficiently. To be able to accommodate 44 sports at numerous venues all over the valley is at times overwhelming. But it's done well, efficiently and happily!

Volunteers are the centerpiece and backbone for all of the two-week activities. It amazes me the dedication and time these volunters give to their tasks. They truly are the community's points of lights. They make it a great experience for the athletes and their families.

CLARINE SPETZLER

SALEM

Dog races' rejects are a sorrow story

I AM not a betting man, but I would bet that Ralph Hayes Sr. (July 16 letter to the editor, ``Bring on the pony and dog races'') has never heard what happens to unprofitable dogs that get bumped from race tracks in dog-racing states.

By most counts, about 50,000 a year are destroyed. Included in that number are dogs killed, abandoned or starved by unscrupulous breeders who produce thousands of dogs hoping to get just a few who will make some money. You don't want to know what happens to the rest. The only good side of this is the growing number of rescue networks - large and small, known and unknown - that work to save these creatures from their pathetic caged existence and try to find good homes for them.

I am not a liberal, a humaniac or anything of the sort. But I do have the privilege of having two of these retired race dogs, and they are the greatest pets anyone could ever have. Hayes needs to do some research, then meet my dogs and decide whether he wants Virginia to join the slaughter. I'd bet he wouldn't.

Incidentally, Virginia has laws that address his question. One allows horse racing, although there isn't yet a track. Another specifically prohibits dog racing in the state. Some friends of mine deserve a lot of credit for that one.

ANDY LYNCH

ROANOKE

Lowe's column is worth reading twice

A JULY 7 letter to the editor (``Roanoker's story is inspiring'' by Nancy Royer) criticized Cody Lowe's Back Pew column as lacking spiritual content. Those who read his articles regularly are aware that he writes as much between the lines as on the lines, which adds appeal to his writing.

One who finds an article lacking in spiritual content should read it a second time. All religion writers should provide as much fascination as Lowe.

ELEANOR L. NECESSARY

NEW CASTLE

Incentives needed for free enterprise

TYRANNY OF the status quo is causing the gap between rich and poor to widen rapidly. The nation was built on the backs on the vast majority of its citizens who were committed to hard, productive work, and took risks to cater to the public's legitimate needs. Yet incentive for people to practice free enterprise is on the verge of nonexistence.

One way the government preserves the status quo is through higher education. While other developed and developing nations are training people to be scientists, technicians, tradespeople and engineers, our nation is training its people to be nonproductive or marginally productive. While other nations are training people to make its pie grow bigger and thus serve its citizenry better, America provides incentives for people to divide its pie into smaller pieces. Therefore, it provides tyranny in the lives of working, risk-taking, productive persons.

The United States has too many marginalists (accountants, financial advisors, tax accountants and Realtors) who do very little to contribute to creating wealth. Government interference has enforced the status quo (at the expense of American workers, consumers and business persons) by unnecessarily increasing the amount of educational requirements and licensure to practice a profession, trade or business. Lack of competition, due to force implemented by government, hurts the consumer by inflating the purchase price of goods and services and lowering their quality. The health-care industry is a prime example.

The only real solution is campaign-finance reform. Special-interest lobbyists have drowned out the voice of the average productive American. It's time to replace private financing of campaigns with public funding.

HARSHA SANKAR

COVINGTON

by CNB