ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997 TAG: 9702130008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Using drugs for political purposes
I WAS dismayed to read that Del. Clifton Woodrum (Feb. 8 General Assembly Notebook, ``Heroin ban advances'') is one of the ringleaders of the current round of alleged drug demagoguery at the General Assembly.
I urge all constituents, Republicans and Democrats alike, to ask their senators to ``just say no'' to the acts of politicians who are, in my opinion, parasites capitalizing on the drug problem for mere political advantage.
About 12 years ago, a cousin of mine was diagnosed with terminal intestinal cancer. He lingered for two months with no digestive system, and was given intravenous nutrition and morphine. Why should it be illegal for a person in such dire circumstances to be given heroin? After all, heroin is just a more concentrated form of morphine.
It's unfortunate that there cannot be a charge of criminal invasion of privacy against politicians who stick their noses in the doctor-patient relationship for no other purpose than to appear tough on drugs. Ditto for the accountants who increasingly run the health-care business.
WILLIAM P. CLARKE
ROCKY MOUNT
Proud teachers ask for respect
IN RESPONSE to Douglas Chandler Graham (Jan. 25 letter to the editor, "Teachers: quit griping or just quit") and others who feel that teachers need to quit griping:
I invite all those who doubt our professionalism and our dedication to spend a day in a public school. You will be surprised at what you find there. You will find hard-working, caring individuals who believe deeply in what we do.
Many of us teach in conditions my colleagues and I jokingly refer to as being like the Peace Corps. We are in mobile classrooms a city block from the school. We are in buildings where temperatures range from 55 degrees to 95 degrees. We have three restrooms for nearly 400 people. Our workroom (we don't have a lounge) is barely big enough for four people. The copy machine breaks down weekly, making it difficult to plan assignments and tests. There isn't a supply room, unless you consider Wal-Mart, where teachers buy materials at their own expense, a supply room.
Graham says that we're paid a year's salary for nine months' work. Most of us are on a 10-month contract for which we are given 10 months' pay. This in no way reflects the hours we put in daily outside the contract day or the classes and seminars we attend each summer. Most of us work more hours in 10 months than most people do in 12.
Unfortunately, many good people, who could have made a difference in some child's life, leave the teaching profession each year. Those who leave may be tired of struggling financially or tired of playing the political games. Most of us will stay, no matter what the conditions, and the system knows that. We're teachers, and proud of it. We just ask for respect.
KEVIN V. QUESENBERRY
CHRISTIANSBURG
Petty charges are a distraction
IN RESPONSE to Marshall Tackett's Jan. 20 letter to the editor, ``What if Jones were your daughter?'':
I'd like to know where he was when the woman in Texas accused the two Dallas Cowboys of rape. A person can make any number of charges against anyone.
If our representatives spent half as much time trying to fix the problems with our government, we could have a balanced budget and national health care. It's as though we, the people, do not count anymore. It's all politics.
We elect these people and send them to Washington to do a job. They all talk a good game before election, telling us all the great and wonderful things they are going to do for us. But when they get there, all those things are cast aside in favor of ridiculous and petty charges that no one cares about.
Something needs to be done about Social Security. Let's put our energy into that, and leave President Clinton alone. He could probably do a good job if he didn't have to defend himself all the time.
LINDA W. HARVEY
ROANOKE
Let the public call the tune
IN RESPONSE to doing away with our state song (Jan. 29 news article, ``Senate: Retire state song''):
I think it should have been voted on by the people of Virginia. Even though ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia'' is a controversial song, it is a part of Virginia's history.
Now that the legislature is doing away with it, the people should get to vote on a new song or for reinstating the old song.
PAUL MINNIX
ROANOKE
State tax system needs overhauling
REGARDING BILLY Proffitt's Jan. 29 letter to the editor, ``Give individuals a tax break'':
I hope he read your Jan. 27 editorial, ``Food tax is on the table.''
It's time for all of us to call or write our representatives in the General Assembly and stress the need for changes in the state tax system, particularly the elimination of the sales tax on food. Changes are needed to spread the tax burden of the sales tax, personal-property tax and income tax more fairly among taxpayers while continuing to provide the government with necessary operating income.
It can be done. Many other states have already done so.
There will be little or no action by the General Assembly unless taxpayers tell lawmakers loud and clear to get going.
RODMAN S. MOELLER
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 110 linesby CNB