In response to “Charlotte short on cash for sidewalks” (July 27):

After all the city has spent, now we’re thinking sidewalks, too

If I hadn’t seen my Charlotte/Mecklenburg property taxes increase significantly over the last few years, and if our city leaders hadn’t squandered our money on arenas, halls of fame, and such over the last few years, then I would find it hilarious that Mayor Foxx has the nerve to suggest a referendum for additional funds for sidewalks just days after the City Council agreed to spend $13 million on a bankrupt mall.

As it is, I don’t.

Bill Munson

Charlotte

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In response to “Romney knows what to say abroad” (July 28 Viewpoint):

So, the best foreign policy is to say nothing of substance?

Mr. Krauthammer, you are amazing. You have nailed Mitt Romney’s campaign in one short op-ed. You have advised that he should say nothing of substance and just soothe foreigners with soppy statements of vague support. How useful in these complicated times!

That’s pretty much what he has been doing with our electorate, issuing statements without substance or details about how he will solve our own domestic problems.

Say nothing substantial or new abroad or in the U.S.! That’s the leadership you recommend we all follow? Amazing.

Bob Rothkopf

Charlotte

Here’s a better suggestion for artwork in the Oval Office

Mr. Krauthammer waxes oh so indignant over Churchill’s bust being displaced from the Oval Office. The gall of that president!

Every Decider who gets voted in gets to decide on the art and the rug and the desk. Most of us had endured too many appeals to Churchill from the Let’s Take Baghdad and Why Not Ottawa As Well crowd for eight years.

A suggestion for permanent display in that Office: Picasso’s Guernica. Which actually begs to be hanging there now, I suppose, just for purposes of debate.

Steve Craig

Charlotte

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In gun debate, people giving guns too much of the blame

When was the last time you saw a gun jump off the shelf and shoot someone?

It’s PEOPLE who kill other people! Don’t blame the hardware!

G.J. Brenner

Matthews

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In response to “We built that, and government helped” (July 29 Viewpoint):

President gives government too much credit for our successes

Jonathan Alter, along with all the liberal media, are scrambling to defend President’s Obama’s comments concerning business and the government. Far from a “gaffe” or a faux pas, implying a misstep, this is the president’s view on why business and America is successful. Mr. Alter should have included the previous paragraph where the president chides the “wealthy, successful” Americans “who think ... it must be because I was just so smart.”

The comments coupled with the sarcastic tone are clear – this president believes an individual’s success is a direct result of government help and what we need is more government to be more successful. The “we” succeed in Mr. Obama’s world is the government, not the individual.

E. Larry Herring

Indian Land

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In response to “Pedestrians, vehicles: Can’t we all get along?” (July 29 Our View):

Aggressive driving, unfriendly roads prompt a critical question

Yes, drivers are oblivious to basic pedestrian laws, but this is made even more dangerous because of aggressive driving including excessive speed and running red lights (or pushing caution lights) in addition to all the devices drivers use that distract their attention.

To complicate matters, many streets have been so narrowed with multiple lanes and no shoulders, that in many cases it is dangerous for police to set up speed traps which might increase the dangers for drivers and pedestrians.

Maybe those of us who drive should be asking: What’s the rush? Is it really worth injuring/killing someone to get there five minutes earlier?

Richard Lindsey

Charlotte

Pedestrians would be safer if police were vigilant about laws

Your editorial mentions three reasons for Charlotte’s terrible record with pedestrians. There is one glaring omission from that list. In the 10 years that I have lived in Charlotte I have never seen a single instance of police enforcement related to jaywalking or failure to yield to pedestrians. In roughly the same number of years living in Los Angeles I frequently witnessed police enforcement of pedestrian and related traffic laws.

Drivers and pedestrians in L.A. knew that violations would not be ignored and would result in stiff fines. Perhaps you should compare enforcement statistics with other large cities. I would be surprised if Charlotte came up anywhere except near the bottom of that list.

We can build more crosswalks but until we build a culture that includes enforcement with real consequences for violations, I doubt painting more lines on our roads will make any difference.

David Dougherty

Charlotte