Herman Cain is the GOP’s best chance Re: “Cain’s 9-9-9 plan sounds good, but would it work?” Sept. 30
Herman Cain is the only prospective Republican nominee who does not have an issue that disqualifies him with primary voters. He is arguably the best speaker, and inarguably the most likable of the current candidates. As the rest of the pack sinks, Herman rises — all the way to the nomination.
Demographics and economics dictate a Herman Cain-Marco Rubio win over Barack Obama-Joe Biden. The political landscape will be systemically altered as the Democratic stranglehold on minority voting fades.
The Republicans already have their Ronald Reagan, but they just don’t know it yet.
Jerry Cave
Bethesda
Self-reliance should be focus of post-welfare society
Re: “Compassionately weaning people off government,” Sept. 27
As someone with extensive experience being caught in the “safety net,” I have some suggestions for the post-welfare society:
1. The private sector’s four overlapping subsectors — commerce, philanthropy, nonprofits and individual volunteers — must all work together to promote self-reliance and healthy interdependence.
2. Distinguish between “transformative help” that promotes self-reliance and “compensatory help” that merely provides missing resources without leaving recipients better able to fend for themselves.
3. Put religious denominations on notice that their traditional role as social uplifter is being revived, as real fellowship brings haves and have-nots together.
4. Encourage philanthropists to concentrate their giving, whenever possible, on “transformative” enterprises and to demand evidence of real results.
5. Support programs that provide suitable work to those not currently able to compete in the open job market. Compensation can be in form of stipends or needed goods and services as well as conventional pay and benefits.
6. Many people are already struggling by the time they’re young adults, when the foundation for future work, education and marriage is laid. Much long-term failure can be prevented by helping young people.
Sharon Kass
Silver Spring
Columnist left out key facts in capital case
Re: “A tale of two executions,” Sept. 26
In his column discussing the protests surrounding the execution of Troy Davis, and the lack thereof surrounding the execution of Lawrence Brewer, Gregory Kane somehow neglected to mention that unlike Davis, Brewer never claimed he was innocent.
As for protests in Brewer’s case, Kane either does not know, or intentionally disregarded the fact that the family of the man Brewer was convicted of killing asked the state to spare his life.
Perhaps the fact that a black family sought mercy for a white murderer didn’t fit Kane’s intended narrative. Should that excuse such a gross disregard of basic facts?
Gregory Adams
Washington
