Sunday, July 16, 2023

Voters Can't Be Trusted to Do the Right Thing, Aug. 18, 1923

No Relief in Sight

There seems to be a growing proof that socialism is inevitable when the right to vote is granted to the entire citizenry. Votes at both the state and national level have recently and repeatedly testified that the average voter favors state socialism.

If you were to ask the average registered Democrat or Republican if he favored state socialism, the answer would be a loud and practically unanimous, “NO”.

The average voter who casts his ballot for more and more government, which automatically means more and more taxes either ignores or fails to understand the direction is ballot is pushing our “Ship of State.”

Surely such intelligent people as Louis Sutton of the Carolina Power & Light Company, the Holding Brothers of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Carlie Cannon of Cannon Mills, Luther Hodges, a man for whom the capitalistic system has been most rewarding, and countless other lesser people across North Carolina understand this truism.

Terry Sanford was not elected under false colors: He told the people of North Carolina over and over again that he was in favor of a “progressive program” which translates automatically into a bigger and more costly state apparatus of government.

Yet Sanford was overwhelmingly nominated and will be elected in November with better than a fair chance of putting into practice a large part of his promises to the numerous selfish-interest groups who combined to nominate him.

With nearly 1,000 appointments at his command the Governor of North Carolina has a powerful lever over 170 members of the General Assembly, whose number includes many who want an appointment for themselves or for some friend who has helped them in the political wars. None but the most unreasonable governors fail to get a major part of their askings from their first session of the General Assembly.

Added to this power of appointment which is the basic weapon of the governor is the unmistakable voice of the voters which in May, June and will again in November ask for more taxes.

From the editorial page of the Jones County Journal, Trenton, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 18, 1960

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