Letters to the Editor

Renewable energy laws are exploited

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Ivy Main shares a critically important message in her Op/Ed column, "Keep renewables, or repeal the law." Although Virginia's renewable-energy law was created with noble intentions, the utility companies' exploitation of the law has turned it into a poorly disguised, expensive act of green-washed hypocrisy.

Virginia's renewable-energy law was created to encourage development of the renewable-energy industry, create clean-energy jobs and helping curb the state's greenhouse gas pollution. Yet most of the money that Virginia ratepayers spend on renewable portfolio standards compliance is going to old, out-of-state generators. This law should be diversifying in-state energy sources, particularly wind and solar energy. Between August 2010 and August 2011, the solar industry grew by 6.8 percent — compared to the 0.7 percent growth rate of the overall U.S. economy. More than 100,000 Americans are in the solar industry.

We need policies that will advance the renewable energy industry in Virginia, help the economy, create new jobs and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

Diana Van Vleet.

Purcellville.

We need a leader — not a burlesque act

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Divisive, dishonest, incompetent but articulate. President Obama's recent State of the Union address rang more like a class warfare infomercial than a cogent, objective analysis of problems and possible solutions facing our nation.

The same tired arguments of victimhood, inequality and the predatory rich, sprinkled with focus group-tested hollow praise for the military gave no solutions for the many real challenges we face in Medicare, Social Security, energy, defense, unemployment and our ever-burgeoning deficit spending. It was just more pandering to his welfare-class voter base and a chilling call for more power consolidation in the executive branch.

We are way past re-election sophistry and have seen behind the curtain. We need real leadership rooted in the values of our Founders, our Constitution and a belief in American exceptionalism. What we have is a pathetic burlesque show, unwilling to leave the stage and playing to a crowd that got in for free.

Carlton Moody.

Midlothian.

Alzheimer's is spiraling out of control

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The nation is reeling from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's. More than 5.4 million Americans currently battle the disease, now the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.

One need not look far to find an individual with Alzheimer's. Some 130,000 Virginians are afflicted. More than 10,000 in Greater Richmond suffer from the disorder. Some are relatively young, barely out of their 30s.

The epidemic is growing at an incredible pace as our population ages. If the disease continues to spiral out of control, it is likely that as many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's by 2050.

There are thousands of friends and families in our area who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. They shoulder an unimaginable emotional, physical and financial burden day after day, year after year.

We are at a critical juncture. We desperately need a national strategic plan to address this escalating health crisis. We urge lawmakers to take action now before it is too late. Alzheimer's can't wait. To learn more about Alzheimer's, visit napa.alz.org.

Sherry E. Peterson,

CEO, Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond Chapter.

Richmond.

Who does repealing the one-handgun ban help?

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I was dismayed to see a state Senate committee approve repeal of Virginia's ban on buying more than one handgun per month. Legislators need a refresher in current events.

The law was passed with bipartisan support because so many weapons on the streets of New York, Washington and other big cities were directly traced to Virginia gun shops. Our lax gun laws were helping fuel a crime wave. Background checks did not solve the problem because gangsters were using girlfriends without criminal records as straw purchasers. Passing the law decreased the amount of weapons purchased in Virginia.

Who needs to buy more than one handgun a month? Does law enforcement want the ban lifted? Do we want Virginia to be known for our history, beauty and universities or for supplying murder weapons to gangsters?

As a lawyer, I have helped citizens exercise their right to own weapons when incorrect information on file has kept them from doing so. This issue has nothing to do with the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and everything to do with political payback to the gun lobby. Legislators should examine their consciences closely before repealing this ban.

Alexander N. Simon.

Richmond.