In a recent letter to the editor, the writer took a most vicious attack on Republicans. I, for one, am tired of being called names in public by people who are one-sided in their views, content in spreading lies and relying more on hate, bigotry, racism and contempt for others than those of whom they accuse. Whenever any disagreement arises, it seems the accusers revel in venting racist remarks. Is there any wonder our city and area is deteriorating and losing industries?

I would like to point out to the writer that Barack Obama was elected by black and white votes. Now, when she fears Obama will lose the upcoming election, she is blaming whites for his loss. Is it not racism for someone to vote for Obama because he is black as well as racism to vote against Obama for the same reason? Shouldn’t you at least wait until the election results are in before blaming others for your defeat?

The charge of “breaking up unions” is a pathetic excuse for allowing mediocrity and poor performance of union members in their workplace to exist. For example, the NCAE simply are required now to collect their own dues. If their union, which incidentally finally admits to their true status, is not strong enough to attract new members, they shouldn’t exist. Their claim of 50,000 members, a highly questionable figure, should be strong enough to sustain their membership. There are certainly other organizations to represent teachers if they so desire. North Carolina and 22 other states have right-to-work laws. That simply means workers are not required to join a union. Unions can and do exist in North Carolina.

If “education is being gutted,” it appears there is validity in forcing changes in the way we approach educating our children. When 66 percent of all fourth-graders in North Carolina are not proficient in reading at the fourth grade level, and 61 percent are not proficient at the eighth grade level and 28 percent of students in North Carolina do not graduate from high school, it is time to do something dramatic to save our kids from ignorance.

The president has just agreed to release 10 states from their commitment to strict standards for students. These standards were particularly advantageous to minority students. Twenty-three additional states are applying for release from the new No Child Left Behind standards. This act alone will cause more damage to education than any budget cut could create.

If you can’t read, you are doomed to low-paying jobs. If jobs with no future are all that are available to a person, then perhaps this is the reason some of our youth turn to crime as a means of support.

The attack on Art Pope is inane, certainly a representation of a double standard. Why is it acceptable for oil billionaire Walter Davis to fund N.C. Senate elections for more than 20 years to keep it held under the control of the Democratic Party, but Art Pope is described as Satan incarnate for running political ads expressing his political views? Even President Obama recently encouraged his backers to support Priorities USA, a super PAC for contributions to his campaign. Why is it so easy to forget and forgive the moral shenanigans of Bill Clinton, the felony conviction of former Governor Mike Easley, the criminal activities of Jim Black, Meg Phipps, Frank Ballance and the ACORN group? Is the rigged election you refer to the election in which Brad Miller drew a district for himself to run for Congress? Or perhaps one of the local elections?

I am fully aware the original letter writer and those she represents will never change or open their minds to reason or rational thinking. However, not to respond to exceptionally vicious and vile accusations only encourages more of the same. In a city struggling for racial harmony she submits a pathetic letter of bigotry, hatred and racism. How can you expect people to work together when they are continually being called abusive names?

But more important than any of the above is the question of why the Telegram sees the need to print a highly inflammatory and racist letter in their paper. Where is the community spirit which promotes harmony? Since this is an open letter, the Telegram will probably print it. However, I don’t think most people even care about the opinion of the first writer, nor this response. There are certainly more meaningful issues requiring debate than the venting of frustrations created by the complainant’s own hand.

Gene Arnold

Rocky Mount