World leadership seems non-existent, the youth of today seems desperate for answers, and our economies are crumbling before us. Everything around us appears darker than it ever has. It’s as though we're in a dark corner looking at a distant narrow window, looking for a brighter light and a lasting hope.

Many are looking and searching but the focus can become clouded by the unending noise modern society spills forth, just as in the beginning of the drug and sexual culture that is still present today. We claimed we were wiser and more intelligent than those before us, all we seek is “freedom,” and where has this gotten us?

Are our personal relationships and the peace we sought with each other any better for this?

For the second time in a long life as a tarheel (with generations of my ancestors so far traced back to 1725) I am ashamed of the state I live in from being a progressive, business friendly to any and all businesses, who had to do their share, education-centered state; we are now known as a radical, Republicam-dominated redneck state, comparable to Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, etc. As Western North Carolina citizens we are now caught up in Republican agenda of crushing the 47 percent Mitt Romney said the Republican Party should forget about; the weaker, poorer, jobless, uninsured families. Most of them the working poor, too often disabled, elderly unable to do physically demanding jobs, low job skills. Paid by small businesses and corporations $7.25 to $7.59 per hour. Often only partime. So these employers can boost their profit margins. Skilled workers work for corporations like Walmart, Ingles, etc. and cannot make enough to cover the basics of life or health insurance as needed. I have been a citizen activist for years, researching valid county records and documentation, asking and respecting their confidences from citizens as to the low wages paid and their financial struggle to feed themselves and children.

Great news! Back in December we gave you an update on KIDS Place and the many services we provide for children in Macon County who have suffered abuse. At that time we also told you about the two-month challenge grant from the Robert and Polly Dunn Foundation that would match all gifts up to $20,000. And, many of you very generously responded to the challenge. Thank you.

In fact, the overall response from the community was so over-whelming that we just had to share the good news. Not only did we meet the goal of raising $20,000, but thanks to the generosity of so many people, we surpassed that goal. It’s incredible to think that during December and January, donations totaling $27,520 were made to KIDS Place to help our children.

Our founding fathers, framing our Constitution, created a representative democracy. They formed a republic, a government where the people vote for representatives to govern for them who reflect their views. This is indirect democracy, government by majority rule of the voters. The founding fathers also created a three-branch government. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are independent of each other assuring that no one branch seizes too much power. These founding principles of our government are under attack in the state of North Carolina.

Throughout our history the right to vote has been expanding to include African-American men, women and the nations’ youth (by reducing the voting age to 18). Today, their basic right is under threat. If our state legislature passes a law requiring voter IDs almost half a million registered voters, mainly our youth, the elderly, the poor and minorities, would be denied their voting right. Supporters of voter ID argue this law will combat voter fraud. Voter fraud is almost nonexistent in North Carolina.