In response to "Inside the convention's $42 million wish list" (Feb. 3) and related articles:

Let's raise more than $42M, use the extra to help those in need

Congratulations Charlotte on landing the 2012 Democratic National Convention. As Mayor Anthony Foxx said "We have an unmatched opportunity to show the world what a beautiful, energetic, innovative and diverse city we are building."

What if we start right up front by pledging to raise 10 percent more than is required for the convention and we earmark it for human service agencies? We could make announcements at the convention about what impact we're going to have using those funds to address critical needs. We could even provide tours for delegates and candidates to showcase how we take care of those in need in our community. This would be an opportunity unmatched by other conventions.

Mark Pierman

Matthews

Grants, private money won't cover all convention costs

Charlotte will have to pay dearly for police protection and for union labor to modify Time Warner Cable Arena for the convention - and to put it all back together. The hotels, bars and restaurants will be the happy face of Charlotte the media will focus on. They'll picture a huge success. But it seems a city that can't pay its teachers or keep libraries open can ill afford to send money to the Democratic National Convention Committee so Anthony Foxx and Jennifer Roberts can be king and queen for a day.

Roy Brown

Matthews

Wish we'd push just as hard

to save middle school sports

Wow, it is so impressive Charlotte landed the 2012 Democratic convention and that businesses are going to raise $42 million for the cause. It's a shame we can't raise $1.2 million to save middle school sports. The convention should be well-attended since none of us will be at our middle school kids' games.

Russell Mansfield

Matthews

In response to "Charlotte = great barbecue? Who knew?" (Feb. 1 The Daily Views online blog):

Great 'cue? I'll be right there, soon as I get my tractor started

I live down the road in Charleston, S.C. I just heard that Michelle Obama said y'all had some "great barbecue" up there in Charlotte! I might have to get on my tractor and go up there and get me some! Maybe I can find a bail of hay on Tryon Street to sit down on while I eat that barbecue y'all are famous for.

Fred Edson

Charleston, S.C.

In response to "Gorman: No new solution to pre-K cuts" (Feb. 3):

Let's return to the days of church-sponsored kindergarten

When we moved to Charlotte 50 years ago there was no kindergarten of any kind. We sent our boys to a church-run program - for a fee, of course. To save money, it's time churches stepped up and again offered kindergarten.

While we're on the subject of saving money, stop busing magnet students! If magnet parents feel put out, they can always pay for taxi service. Just call Yellow Cab for particulars and costs.

Rosanne D. Russell

Charlotte

In response to "To save jobs, state should modernize N.C.'s revenue system" (Jan. 30 For the Record):

First priority for state of N.C. must be to preserve jobs

The writer is executive director of N.C. Social Justice Project.

A cuts-only approach to balancing the N.C. budget would destroy tens of thousands of state jobs. Many more would be lost in the private sector, as companies lose contract income. This would harm the state's revenue base, shrinking the economic pie for all of us. To keep people employed, we must use every tool in the toolbox to preserve jobs. As Alexandra Forter Sirota said, we must modernize North Carolina's revenue system. Our 80-year-old system doesn't fit today's realities.

Taking a balanced approach will save jobs and make North Carolina more prosperous.

Kevin J. Rogers

Raleigh

In response to "Cairo in chaos as foes battle for the streets" (Feb. 3):

U.S. supported an oppressive regime in Egypt for decades

The U.S. spends $1.5 billion each year to support the military establishment of an oppressive regime in Egypt. It's indeed very embarrassing. I hope all dictators and tyrants in the Middle East supported by the U.S. fall one-by-one. We should facilitate their departure by firmly supporting people we perhaps owe an apology to for being an indirect accomplice in the crimes of their dictators, made viable for decades with our help.

Masood N. Khan

Charlotte

Black History Month offers valuable lessons for us all

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson brought into existence Negro History Week, which in 1976 became Black History Month. He realized the need to chronicle the myriad contributions African-Americans have made since their 1619 arrival in Jamestown, Va. This month, more than any other, provides an opportunity for the nation as a whole to ponder lyrics from the Negro National Anthem, "...We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered..."

We look back in order to look forward.

Ahmad Daniels

Charlotte