Tom Betts is a gentleman and continues to be held in high esteem. He has done more for this community than some corporations. A neophyte to politics, he simply followed the current accepted behavior in the political fundraising arena. For this, he suffered the consequences of the media's attempt to point out deficiencies in the rhetoric of the gubernatorial candidates. The media did not care about Tom. They just wanted to get to Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue. Neither the governor, who also benefited from Tom's fundraising prowess, nor Perdue, the intended candidate, ever attempted to come to his aid. This episode has simply made public the existing process.

After claiming she was unaware of fundraising on her behalf,we now learn that Perdue has three more DOT officials raising money for her campaign. Louis Sewell, Marvin K. Blount III of Greenville, and Lanny Wilson of Wilmington have raised funds for her campaign. Two more DOT members, Mac Campbell and Allen Thornburg, have raised money for candidate Richard Moore. And don't forget current Gov. Easley because Campbell and Sewell admittedly raised money for Easley. In all fairness, shouldn't we demand the firing of all of these members? Does the governor have the courage to treat all members the same? Will candidates Moore and Perdue return the "ill-gotten campaign funds?"

Moore said he would continue receiving funds from DOT members, but after he was elected governor he would ask them to stop.

Perdue claims she backed legislation in 1998 that would have required disclosure of fundraising activities. But the legislation did not define what that disclosure would entail or if it would require DOT members to cease fundraising.

Gov. Easley had one of his cronies in the Attorney General's office interpret that law so as to allow continuing status quo of the existing fundraising policy.

Due to recent scandals, there is an awareness of the lack of complete honesty and integrity in government. It's time for the politicians to make an effort to stop the hypocritical hyberbole just to get elected. It is reasonable for us to demand our candidates represent our views and standards.

People who will do anything to get elected are to be feared, resented and avoided. Those who will twist the truth to their benefit are to be opposed at the ballot box. An honest mistake can be forgiven. Anyone intentionally misleading the public and claiming innocence of a known infraction of the rules should be rejected. At the very least, full disclosure of fundraising activities by all appointees should be implemented.

Now that we know what is really going on, let's also take a look at other governing bodies. Maybe the UNC Board of Governors, the Wildlife Commission, the Utilities Commission, as well as, the Board of Trustees at UNC schools could stand a little scrutiny.

Gene Arnold

Rocky Mount