Insiders corrupt 'tea protesters'

In "First tea party misremembered" (Letters, Feb. 4), David Work has gotten a degree of support from commentators from both the left and right.

A conservative, "durham4sale," commented that Work has written a good letter. And indeed he has. But although he is correct in thinking "Tea Protesters" scare folks like "Bobv" (a commentator from the left), I question whether durham4sale is right in thinking "The Tea Protesters are a true grass-roots movement." Americans seldom see those behind any "grass roots movement," and there are many "status quo" power brokers behind this political/financial windfall -- which will only compound spiraling health costs -- that would love to see no change at all!

Politicians -- from both "the so called" left and right -- on the receiving end of Big Pharma, which includes Big Pharma itself, have misinformed Tea Protesters convinced that they are doing the right thing in regards to health care reform, and I'm sure it pleases them. And the recent Supreme Court decision, which opens the door for corporations to undermine what is in the best interest of people, not corporations, takes true health care reform -- which necessarily includes insurance reform -- further down the road of regression.

In this respect, our present Tea Protesters are a tool of greedy insiders who corrupt the political process through financial contributions to officials on both sides of the isle: Burr, Hagan and Price, included.

The sooner "conservatives" and "liberals" on main street understand this, the better for everyone on main street in general.

JOHN RHODES

Efland

Doom, gloom absent

At 7 a.m., I took the dog out into 6 inches of snow, and there was my copy of The Herald-Sun, under the carport and double wrapped. Nice.

Because I was not going any place until the roads were cleared, I read the paper. I often do not do this, just as I often avoid TV news, because of the high frequency of self-serving arguments, politically extreme proclamations and exaggerations that often ignore simple facts.

But today seemed different: Leonard Pitts gave a positive and simple argument about race and expectations, N. C. School of Science and Math students were praised for their food-drive efforts, the Rescue Mission was reported to be looking for homeless people who need protection from the weather, income-tax help sites were listed, Obama's interchange with Republicans was reported with an even hand, immigrant Ping Fu was praised, etc.

Perhaps the gloom-and-doom writers don't work in poor weather? If so, may the snow continue!

GREG LOCKHEAD

Durham