To the editor:

This is a response to Michael Maharrey's opinion column “Is the Bible 'Pro-Government?'”

Let's begin by stating some obvious facts. 

The promise of “Medicare for All” polls well. But if Democrats endorse the concept in large numbers, and make it or some other large-scale expansion of government health plans a centerpiece of the party’s brand going into the 2020 election cycle, Republicans will be among the prime beneficiaries.

Milton Friedman once observed that “nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” To be sure, spending bills or regulations initially sold as limited responses to specific conditions often take on a life of their own. They create constituencies that receive funds or protection from the program and thus have a strong interest in converting the temporary into the permanent.

ELLERBE – The excitement of campaign week has drawn to an end as ballots have been cast and the Ellerbe Middle School Student Government positions have been chosen.

RALEIGH -- From North Carolina's Attorney General Josh Stein, N.C. constituents, and those included in Richmond County, should be aware of a new scam that affecting people all across the state.