In response to "Two boys. One roof. One left in school." (Aug. 29):

Why let students drop out of school at 16? Increase it to 18

Lawmakers, pray tell, why can a child drop out of school at age 16, not smoke until age 18, and not drink until 21? Add in a child being able to get behind the wheel of a vehicle at age 16! There are so many mixed signals and inconsistencies. The legal age for all of these should be 18.

Laurin McCarley

Gastonia

Visible pattern of groups being targeted is too strong to ignore

It's not about Hispanics; it's about border security.

It's not about Muslims; it's about sensitivity.

It's not about African Americans; it's about taking the country back.

There is a clear and consistent pattern here. Who's next?

D.P. Rochester

Charlotte

In response to "War's not over - even for vets coming home" (Aug. 31 Editorial):

Complete withdrawal from Iraq, Afghanistan is the only answer

$750 billion; 4,400 U.S. troops killed; 32,000 wounded; and two paragraphs devoted to the continued toll on the families and the persons who have served - yet not one word calling for the complete end to this lie and the ongoing lie that is Afghanistan.

You owe the people of Charlotte more than your silence as death and destruction continue when America is not in danger. Complete withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan is called for and is the correct course.

Tom Brady

Mooresville

In response to "Obama: Time to 'turn the page' on U.S. mission in Iraq" (Aug. 31 CharlotteObserer.com):

Obama decision on Iraq renews my hope about the home front

I applaud President Barack Obama for pulling troops out of Iraq. However, I have mixed feelings about the state we're leaving Iraq in. It seems improper to initiate enormous change in a country, only to abandon that country to limp along.

Despite my misgivings, it's high time government resources were more largely allocated to support the well-being of our own country. While we have a certain responsibility to protect human rights and keep the peace in other countries, our first responsibility is to win the war we wage on the home front.

I very much condone the actions of our leader and look to the future with hope.

Ben Warren

Charlotte

Policies of the past won't bring jobs, changes that benefit all

It's a tough time to be a worker, but we must believe we can create something better - an America that creates good jobs and shared prosperity.

We have to restore the middle class and build an economy that allows investment in our future without worrying we'll lose our jobs or our homes. We have to revive our manufacturing base, rebuild our infrastructure and keep good jobs in America.

We cannot turn back toward policies of the past. This Labor Day, let's celebrate working men and women by moving forward together and creating an economy that works for everyone.

Linda Butler

Charlotte

In response to "Shoot 'looters'? Think again" (Sept. 1 Viewpoint):

Description of Katrina looters sure didn't match what I saw

Columnist Rebecca Solnit suggests most looters are just looking for food and medicine to survive the aftermath of a disaster such as Katrina. As a New Orleans area native working for the state of Louisiana as a bridge inspector, I was among the first people allowed back after the storm. As I rode through different parts of the city, I couldn't help but notice that virtually every pawn shop and jewelry store had been broken into, while most fast-food places were untouched. The Wal-Mart near my home had its front doors torn down. Looters drove cars and pickup trucks into the store to load up; they took everything except the books. That doesn't sound like "minor property crimes" to me.

Delvin Adams

Kings Mountain

Job of police was to protect 'the lawful from the unlawful'

Ordinary citizens do not take advantage of a crisis to smash store windows and steal big-screen TVs and sound equipment. Ordinary citizens do not arm themselves and run rampant through neighborhoods looting, shooting and terrorizing the people in those communities.

The police have every right and responsibility to protect the lawful from the unlawful. I don't recall anyone being shot over a bottle of water during Katrina, at least not by the police.

Brenda Corey

Wadesboro

Yes, we need a revolution, but not the kind we're seeing now

We need a tea party. The real thing - a counterrevolution to reinstate self-evident truths.

We need people who want to get re-elected by doing a good job, not by appearing to do so. It's the issues that matter, not the opinions of political strategists.

Candidates who run for office should tell us not only who gave them money, but why. Most important, shut down the rhetoric and broad statements. Tell us the nuts and bolts of the legislation. Don't assume we don't care. We do. We are not as stupid as you'd like us to be.

Finally, to voters: Research. The fact that our politicians have turned into game show hosts is our fault. Vote carefully and thoughtfully - not with blind loyalty.

Steven Kovler

Indian Land, S.C.