In response to "Many CMS librarians losing jobs" (May 18):

Can't operate a quality school without a trained librarian

I've volunteered in two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools libraries for several years. I see dedicated librarians teaching vital skills to every child while helping them select reading materials that builds important literacy skills. Children need this important resource in their educational journey. Trying to operate a quality school without a media specialist is folly. Every effort must be made to restore these positions.

Robert Garner

Charlotte

In response to "Budget would save some teacher jobs, raise taxes" (May 18):

That revenue-neutral tax plan had a whole lot more appeal

What happened to the revenue-neutral plan? Gas is through the roof, food prices go up every week and people are losing their homes to foreclosures. The game plan seems to be "the government will keep popping those sorry ole taxpayers if it takes every dime they have."

Jim Cherry

Charlotte

Families suffer while N.C. plays politics with jobless benefits

Imagine not being able to pay your rent, bills, basic living expenses. That's the situation 37,000 families are in after their unemployment benefits were blocked by N.C. lawmakers playing political games.

Rep. Thom Tillis says he's willing to "compromise" on a benefits extension. But Speaker Tillis knows these benefits are already fully funded by the federal government. No compromise is required and he knows it. It's time to stop playing games. We deserve an up-or-down vote on the benefits extension. When we get one, we'll see who really supports N.C. families.

Mark A. Show

Charlotte

In response to "GOP could seize defeat from the jaws of victory" (May 18 Editorial):

Your list of GOP presidential hopefuls was incomplete

In your rundown of potential Republican candidates you omitted sitting congressman and declared presidential candidate Ron Paul. He's a former presidential candidate and won the 2011 CPAC presidential straw poll. He's a viable candidate with a compelling campaign message.

J. Paige Straley

Hickory

In response to "U.S. hits legal debt ceiling, borrows from pension funds" (May 17):

This is how it feels when

they raid Social Security

Monday the U.S. hit its legal debt ceiling limit and members of Congress did nothing. The president issued an order to "temporarily" halt payments to retirement and pension accounts of federal workers to free up working capital for two months. We want to welcome these federal workers to the ranks of those of us who've had our Social Security funds raided by the federal government for decades! Good luck getting any of it back!

George Clausen

Charlotte

In response to "In Duke-Progress merger, a puzzling move" (May 13):

Duke Energy stock performance exceeds peers, not 'lackluster'

The writer is director of external relations for Duke Energy.

The recent article on the planned one-for-three reverse stock split following the completion of our merger with Progress Energy wrongly mixed apples and oranges when it discussed Duke Energy's stock performance.

The reverse split is intended to address our high number of outstanding shares, which occurred as the result of Duke Energy doing several major mergers and acquisitions over the past 15 years. It will also put our company's stock price more in line with industry peers. It has nothing to do with what you printed, without specific attribution, that our stock performance was "lackluster." In fact, Duke Energy's stock recently reached a 52-week high. Our performance has exceeded our industry peers and the S&P 500 over the last one, three and five years.

Tom Williams

Charlotte

In response to "2 from Meck part of N.C. abortion debate" (May 18):

Turnabout would be fair play

on proposed N.C. abortion bill

The proposed "Woman's Right to Know Act" requires a woman seeking an abortion to hear GOP propaganda that's painful and unnecessary. Well, fair is fair. This bill should also require legislators who support it to receive counseling about the agonies of unwanted pregnancies; about teen pregnancy and its impact on the quality of life; and about pregnancies resulting from rape that warp what should be a treasured event into a lifetime of psychological pain. Maybe that'll help prevent the next round of GOP religious right legislation to burn women at the stake for being witches.

Jim Crozier

Charlotte

In response to "20 percent down rule could douse any housing recovery" (May 17 Viewpoint):

20 percent down is doable - even on my teaching salary

As a single teacher, I was able to save a 20 percent down payment for my house within eight years of starting full-time work. If you can't save 20 percent of your home's value, you probably can't afford the house. Until recently, 20 percent was the standard. People who can't meet at least 10 percent shouldn't get a mortgage. They should be renting, saving and not buying more house than they can afford.

Jan Miller

Cramerton