Letters to the Editor

Are We Trading Freedom for Security?

To the Editor:

In a republic government, the powers come from the people – directly or indirectly. Putting safety measures in place during a crisis makes sense in the short term, but using said crisis mandates long-term to transform America is overreach and tyranny.

When we are no longer following the will of the people but instead making the people follow the will of the government, we are no longer a representative government. I urge our elected officials to keep our government limited, our markets free, and our families and churches strong.

The biggest battle yet may not be on the fields of Gettysburg, the beaches of Normandy or the jungles of the Pacific, but in the hearts and minds of the people. It is a battle between those who want to preserve our freedom, individual dreams of liberty and pursuits of happiness and those who want us to be part of One Great Power — One World Order.

There is no doubt we already have a blended government of capitalism and socialism where producers are taxed significantly to fund government programs that provide jobs, support transportation, banking, housing, agriculture, education, health care and income for those who can’t or won’t. What happens when the costs exceed the producers’ ability to pay?

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Who are we, America? Are we trading in far too many of our rights for a false sense of security? Are we content to have freedoms suppressed “for our own good”? May God help us and shed His grace on us.

Barbara J. Thomas

New Enterprise

Thanks to Our Community

To the Editor:

We, at the Martinsburg Food Pantry, want to express our thanks and gratitude to our community for the outpouring of kindness shown during this coronavirus crisis.

Our thanks to Herald staff writer Karen Bassler for her article informing readers that the food pantries have adjusted rules for safety to stay open to serve this need. We have received a large amount of food, drinks, paper products, cleaning and personal supplies, besides very generous monetary gifts!

We are able to serve many families on the first and third Thursdays from 9 until 11 a.m. every month.

What a wonderful, caring and giving community we have! Neighbors helping neighbors!

Linda K. Smith

Martinsburg