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Not about voter fraud, it’s about blocking votes for Obama
In Ohio, GOP officials recently tried to shorten early voting only in counties that went for Obama in 2008. They backed down after a New York Times op-ed brought national attention.
In Pennsylvania, Republicans admitted in court they had no evidence of voter fraud. In June, a Penn. GOP official said the proposed voter ID law “is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.”
It’s ludicrous to say Republicans’ sudden concern with voter fraud is anything more than an effort to suppress voter turnout. I, for one, do not believe it is better to disenfranchise a million voters to stop the possibility of one cheat.
Kelly Stevens
Charlotte
In response to “Meck resends appeal notices after errors” (Aug. 12):
Those who botched Meck revaluation should lose jobs
When it takes over a year for the tax assessor’s office to get around to hearing an appeal, that’s ridiculous. In private business if a company took a year to get back to a customer, they would not be in business.
Not only did they completely miss the values on the revaluation, now they have sent notices to the wrong people.
Heads should roll.
Jim Plyler
Charlotte
Thanks, CMS officials, for
the fast, helpful response
I’d like to give a resounding shout-out to CMS board chair Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Karen Thomas, director of CMS Support Services, for promptly responding to a concern regarding a recent CMS grad. It’s good to know that in the often entrenched and frustrating bureaucracy of CMS, people in positions of influence do care about the welfare and well-being of students.
Alicia Durand
Charlotte
Sprucing up is great, but keep it up long after DNC leaves town
Everywhere you look the city is polishing its appearance for the DNC. There is a new sculpture at the airport, Billy Graham Parkway has been cleaned up and trimmed up, and roads to uptown are getting a makeover.
Now, if only someone would cut the grass at local schools and fix the overhead lights along Interstate 485. Then, Charlotte would have a real good image.
Even better, make it last after the convention.
Eric Swanson
Charlotte
In response to “I don’t share Obama’s views, but that doesn’t make me a racist” (Aug. 16 Forum):
Can’t deny that portion of dislike for Obama based on race
It’s not about sharing President Obama’s views. Every American has the right to vote for or against a candidate based on their views. But a sizable portion of the GOP still believes that Obama is a Muslim or wasn’t born in the United States.
He’s been depicted as a witch doctor, Nazi, socialist, communist, and as apologizing for America. These assessments are not based on Obama’s views but on hatred born out of the racist attitudes of some Americans. No other president has had to face the vitriol that Obama has faced.
Robin E. Oden
Stallings
Back in 2011, even Erskine Bowles praised the Ryan budget
Speaking at UNC Chapel Hill in 2011, Erskine Bowles referred to Paul Ryan’s proposed budget as “a sensible, straightforward, honest, serious budget which would cut the budget deficit by $4 trillion.” At the same time, he was critical of the budget offered by President Obama, saying: “I don’t think anybody took that budget very seriously.”
America is at a crossroads. Voters can choose a path to restore the financial solvency of this country or a path to certain bankruptcy.
If America chooses the latter, entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will collapse.
Craig A. Reutlinger
Charlotte
My take on GOP’s ‘greedy’ plan to privatize Medicare and more
Elite Republicans have a longstanding scheme privately called “starve the beast.”
The plan: Cut taxes, especially for the wealthy, cause a budget crisis and use it as the pretext for killing social programs they despise.
Now they have greedier plans: “Privatize” Social Security and Medicare. If they get the power, they’ll give Social Security to their cronies at companies like JP Morgan Chase, with decreased regulation. Medicare will essentially go to their pals at companies like AIG.
Meanwhile, old folks will get modest monthly vouchers and a “good luck getting health care” pat on the head.
You get what you vote for.
James F. Cook Jr.
Concord
At this crucial time Romney must support Simpson-Bowles
This country faces a critical financial decision.
One option is to continue to run a deficit until no one will lend us money. A second option is to drastically cut spending and increase taxes to balance the budget.
President Obama has already turned down flat the only bipartisan proposal to help balance the budget – Simpson-Bowles.
Mitt Romney seems to be following the same path. But I hope he’ll choose the second option and support Simpson-Bowles to balance the budget.
William Vinson
Davidson
