To the Editor:

Medicare and Social Security are programs that have always been priorities of the Democratic Party. Democrats started these programs and supported them ever since, and pretty much constantly over the constant objection of Republicans. 

The legacies of Western North Carolina’s two previous Republican congressmen, Mark Meadows and Madison Cawthorn, haven’t exactly aged well. 

Seeing surging poll numbers and sensing strong momentum, Western North Carolina Democrats spoke out during a press conference in advance of former President Donald Trump’s appearance in Asheville last week, touting nominee Kamala Harris’ working families agenda and suggesting the state — as well as the 11th Congressional District — will be competitive this year. 

To the Editor:

I’m writing in response to the “Democrats try to scare voters” letter in the May 8 edition of your paper. That idea is totally preposterous considering that the standard bearer of the Republican Party is a fear master.  

In the year 2020, we lived with a pandemic and a hotly contested presidential race. Strong feelings made their appearance, frustration and anger among them.

The “Back off our Benefits” bus tour rolled into Asheville last week with one simple request — for Congress to protect Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and veterans’ benefits. Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson), who faced similar calls from Republican voters last fall, ignored them again.

The life story of Hendersonville resident Marge Cullen isn’t much different than that of many other retirement-aged Americans.