Sunday, July 6, 2008 — It was refreshing to see the poll in the SNAP showing that North Carolina voters reject the state takeover of Alcoa. They are showing a better understanding of some basic economic principles than some of our local government officials.
It may be correct that the water in the rivers belongs to the public, but the dams on the river and the land under the lakes are private property. They were built with private money. They were built with the expectation of making a profit just as any investor would expect when a business is started or expanded.
There are no legal limits and there should be no limits as to how long a company may make a profit. There are also no legal limits on the amount of profit a company may earn.
Private property and the right to earn a profit from ownership of property is a cornerstone of our free enterprise system that goes back hundreds of years. It is a fundamental requirement of the free enterprise system. Without it there is no free enterprise.
If the government can take over the private property of Alcoa because it is producing too much profit, what is to keep the government from taking over the local bank or the local farm or the local building supply company or any other business that is “making too much profit?”
The British broke into the sanctity of private property in the late 1940s and forced many large companies to sell their property to the government. By the 1980s the British realized that government ownership of business resulted in less production and less income in the country. The companies were sold back to the public.
Surely we in America and we in Stanly County won’t make the same mistake.
Eugene Pickler
New London
Letters to the Editor
Don’t make the same mistake as the British
- Letters to the Editor
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We are not the bad guy
This letter is for staff writer Ian Faulkner. You do not seem to think the threat from North Korea is serious. Read your history of war. I’m glad that our country takes it serious.
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Citizens need to participate in health assessment
The Stanly County Health Department is partnering with Stanly Regional Medical Center to conduct a community health assessment.
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New bill would help business
I am writing in reference to a new “open competition” auto insurance bill that was introduced in the N.C. House and Senate.
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Respect the graves
As far back as I can remember, as far back as my grandparents could remember there has always been a clump of trees located across from Centerview Church, up on the hill, on the Northeast Connector.
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Encouragement
How refreshing each week to read the article written by Doug Creamer.
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Permit me
On Sept. 4, 2012, I received a letter from Stanly Co. Office of Planning and Zoning. Thus began a string of four office visits to obtain information that could have been provided sooner.
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What is unethical?
I am writing in response to your article “Unethical Conduct leads mayor to question board’s actions.”
As a cancer survivor, I am appalled at the actions of Mayor Danny Long. -
Community comes together for child
Jan. 13, I witnessed an extraordinary event at a fundraiser for a baby at Bob’s Family Restaurant in Midland.
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Applauding the commissioners
In response to the recent article by Brian Graves regarding Clean Tech, I think that our county commissioners should be commended for their stand against Clean Tech’s offering jobs in exchange for Alcoa to be relicensed to operate the hydro dams on the Yadkin-Pee Dee.
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Budget tips
The government has a problem with the budget. Why? The Republicans and the Democrats blame one another. Why? Don’t they both spend the money? Foolishly.
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We are not the bad guy
