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Lawmakers, say yes to education and no to voter law

May 15, 2012

When the clock starts ticking today on the short session of the N.C. legislature, lawmakers shouldn’t waste time – and money – on shortsighted ideological goals. They should focus on pragmatic and fairly urgent needs that will help their constituents get back on their feet after the worst recession in decades. They should keep the state headed forward, not backward.

Come together on budget, or risk dumb spending cuts

May 15, 2012

From an editorial that appeared in the Baltimore Sun on Friday: There’s a tendency among some to shorthand the ongoing federal budget debate as between Republicans who want to reduce government spending and Democrats who don’t. This isn’t really the case, as recent actions in the House have demonstrated.

Observer Forum: Letters to the editor

May 15, 2012

Liens are fair as a last resort for medical bills. Before a lien occurs a payment plan should be negotiated based on what the customer can pay. Hospitals should have an outside arbitrator for these matters. Patients should not get off scot-free and put the burden on the rest of us by making us pay higher costs to cover their problem.

Write the Forum, The Buzz

How to send a 'Letter to the Editor' of the Observer.

Party Chairman David Parker feeds his ego at the expense of N.C. Democrats | May 14, 2012
Drop anti-gay measures from military budget bill | May 14, 2012
Observer Forum: Letters to the editor | May 14, 2012
A vision for growth that needs more focus | May 14, 2012
Fracking can be made into a safer energy tool | May 14, 2012
Observer Forum: Letters to the editor | May 14, 2012
CMS superintendent: Judge me as Morrison | May 13, 2012
Observer Forum: Letters to the editor | May 13, 2012
In two cases, Romney has fuzzy memory | May 11, 2012
Marriage amendment’s two sides each believe they’re right | May 11, 2012

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Kevin Siers: You Write The Caption »

Your new challenge: May 14, 2012

Welcome to You Write the Caption, the Charlotte Observer cartoon caption contest, an opportunity ...

O-pinion »

Yes, yes, to N.C. sterilization compensation

We're glad to see that N.C. lawmakers, back for their short session, got to work immediately in r...

Viewpoint»

Mitt Romney’s stellar performance

By Cal Thomas

It wasn’t exactly the belly of the beast Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited recently on a picture-perfect commencement day at “the world’s largest Christian University,” but his appearance was a test as to whether the conservative school, founded by the late Jerry Falwell, would embrace a devout Mormon. And Romney passed.

Viewpoint»

Perdue’s proposed budget shows failed leadership

From N.C. Rep. Bill Brawley, a Republican from Matthews (bill.brawley@ncleg.net): Gov. Bev Perdue has a powerful opportunity. She will not be on the ballot this fall and can act with freedom from personal political consequences. Disappointingly, she has chosen to act in a partisan political way by irresponsibly proposing a budget that is nothing more than political theater. It is long on rhetoric and short on sense.

Viewpoint»

Barack Obama: The first female president

By Dana Milbank

Nonsense. Obama is not the first gay president. He is the first female president.

Viewpoint»

Navy commander, in Charlotte, talks about how Navy protects America

Vice Admiral Kevin M. McCoy

America’s Navy is our nation’s front line in war and in peace, operating on, above and below the sea. Think of the Navy as America’s “away team,” deployed around the world, defending our nation’s interests every day.

Viewpoint»

The lesson from JPMorgan: Let’s make banking boring

By Joe Nocera, New York Times

Let’s begin by stipulating the obvious: Nobody outside of JPMorgan Chase knows for sure what really happened with those trades that have cost it so much money and done such severe damage to its once stellar reputation.

Viewpoint»

The Buzz

New venture: Easley and Edwards Consultants.

More: Recent Viewpoint pieces from the Observer

Fannie Flono»

Legal discrimination will eventually lose