N.C. Republicans ripped for Don Yelton’s comments

The Republicans have done it again — once again our state is the  subject of an embarrasing national news story.

Yet again, we have been featured  on “The Daily Show,” as our laws are reduced to a punch line.

Last night (Oct. 24), Don Yelton, a Republican precinct chair from Buncombe County, was featured on “The Daily Show” in a segment about the Voter Suppression bill the Republican majority passed in July.  

When asked about the effects of the bill, Yelton said that “the law is go[ing] to kick the Democrats in the butt.” Yelton admitted that it was designed to suppress votes from college students and African-Americans, both of whom he called “lazy.”

The sad truth is, Don Yelton’s disturbing comments last night were more honest about the Republican intent behind this bill than any of the state House members who voted for it have to date. 

Stand up today and show Republican leadership that we are committed to undoing the damage to your voting rights by contributing ... or whatever you can afford today.

Since taking power in this state, the Republican agenda has turned the clock back decades on North Carolina’s progress.  They gave huge tax breaks to the wealthiest citizens of our state and out-of-state corporations, while raising taxes on middle-class and hard-working families.

To fund this effort, they cut over a half-billion dollars from public education, fired teacher assistants and increased class sizes.

Now, in a desperate attempt to hold onto power, the Republicans are trying to shield themselves from the repercussions of this terrible legislation by suppressing your right to vote.  Help us show Republicans that they need to stop playing games with our state and our rights by contributing ... whatever you can afford today. 

North Carolina deserves better.  The House Democrats are committed to holding Republicans in this state accountable for their actions. With your help, we can take put North Carolina back on the right track.

Bothwell, Wisler termed outstanding candidates

Politics matter, and the place our vote makes the most difference is on the local level.

In the last City Council election, Lael Gray, an exceptional progressive candidate, lost by less than 40 votes. We can’t let that happen again. There are two standout candidates who need your vote on Nov. 5: Cecil Bothwell and Gwen Wisler.

Bothwell, an incumbent, voted against the sweetheart deal that the city gave to the McKibbon Group for the property across from the landmark basilica. (McKibbon is responsible for the eyesore Aloft hotel on Biltmore Avenue.)

Voters never have to worry whether Bothwell has the citizens’ best interest at heart or the developers’ — Bothwell will always champion the people. Bothwell has supported Five Points and Kenilworth against two irresponsible developments, and he has made huge strides to safeguard Asheville’s environment.

Wisler, a former corporate executive and CPA, is also a progressive candidate and will bring a head for fiscal responsibility to the council. She’s even-tempered, good-humored and cares about neighborhoods, equality and the environment. Gwen Wisler and Cecil Bothwell have my strongest endorsement.

Boyer touted as Woodfin candidate for 'people'

It has been interesting to see who supports the incumbents in Woodfin’s election cycle this go ‘round.  “Big time” developers of Crest Mountain and Reynolds Mountain seem to be the backers, if anything can be told by who is hosting the incumbents’ meetings.  Hats off to Andrea Boyer, the challenger for Woodfin Alderman!  This is turning into a real Grassroots vs. The Establishment campaign.  I, for one, am tired of the status quo and am glad Andrea’s campaign highlights the fact that the same people have been in government in Woodfin for far too long.  I appreciate that Andrea is going door to door.  No one else has ever knocked on my door to ask what I have to say.  I welcome Andrea’s emphasis on the people of Woodfin and our voices.   Please join me in voting for Andrea Boyer, a voice of and for the people.

Psychiatric drugs blamed for mental illness epidemic

It is said that if society has a moral responsibility to provide society’s mentally ill with accessible and affordable mental health care services, then it follows that the mentally ill have a moral duty to society to seek and comply with treatment.

No, they don’t! ... No, they don’t.

There is an epidemic of mentally ill Americans becoming mentally disabled and unable to work or function and joining the welfare system’s disability rolls at a rate of 1,100 per day!

And do you wanna know why there is an epidemic of mentally ill Americans becoming mentally disabled?

Because the psychiatric drugs psychiatrists prescribe to the mentally disable and damage the brains of the mentally ill. 

And when their brains become disabled by psychiatric drugs, they become disabled like their brain!

This is a true national scandal! And mentally ill Americans have no duty to society to seek and comply with treatment that will cause mental disability and result in their joining the disability rolls.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Pope added as a postscript to the aforementioned letter to the editor to the following: “My sources are ‘Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill’ by Robert Whitaker and ‘Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psyciatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America,’ also by Robert Whitaker, America’s best investigative journalist.”