Share
In response to “College prep questioned” (Oct. 19 Local):
Abysmal ACT scores point up long-standing failure in N.C.
No spin or sugar coating can mask the fact that over 75 percent of N.C. high school juniors are not prepared for college.
No silver-tongued superintendents can make this news seem like a “challenge.” No six-month study is going to provide “new” information.
The problems are long-standing and begin with state Superintendent June Atkinson and her district managers.
I suggest that every school administrator, above the principal level, receive a 25 percent pay cut until ACT scores are respectable statewide.
Joe Mattiacci
Charlotte
In response to “Lines grow long at N.C. early voting sites” (Oct. 19):
Early voters a disappointment with 16 days, 1 debate to come
What a shame to see people lining up to vote early. The third debate is still to come and there are 16 days until the election.
The people of this country have become so soft that they will not wait on line for two hours every four years to vote for president. It’s a shame to see these zombies voting for their parties’ candidate because of party, not who’s best to serve.
Martin Schulman
Charlotte
Romney right choice for our nation, to spark a turnaround
Please remind your readers that our president has had four years to dig us out of the economic slump, and has not done so. In fact, he has brought us ever-increasing debt and sky-high unemployment.
Mitt Romney has spent his life in business. He understands that the road to recovery is to unleash the spirit of American free enterprise. Only by lowering taxes and removing unnecessary regulations can we recover the prosperity and opportunity that should be the birthright of every American.
Michael Stevens
Charlotte
Stop vandalizing political signs, let each side have their say
Previously, I wrote that my Obama yard sign was removed.
As the election draws near, I’m regularly having to replace signs at various locations. The corner of Lynbridge Drive and Providence Road is the worst.
Thursday, the first day of early voting, I stopped for the third time to put up various candidates’ signs at this location. I’m nonpartisan when it comes to restoring signs; if it wasn’t destroyed I put it back up. The only sign standing when I got there was Romney-Ryan.
This is not a partisan issue; it’s an American issue.
Peter Noris
Charlotte
In response to “Graham family ties tighten with Romney” (Oct. 18):
Graham goes too far, needs to keep his nose out of politics
It’s a free country and anyone can believe what they want. But when audacity strikes and Billy Graham goes public with warnings about how to vote and for whom to vote, to that I say “Cool it, preacher man. I’ll try to figure that out myself!”
Stipulating one qualification after another Graham all but suggests that the words “Vote for Romney” are somewhere in the Holy Bible – if only we would just take the time to look for them. The whole thing is enough to take one’s breath away.
Bernie Hargadon
Charlotte
Observer editorial endorsement of Bill James boggles my mind
Your justification for giving the stamp of approval to an office holder known for his bigotry and divisiveness is that he “better represents the political sensibilities” of his district.
Well, I live in that district and he doesn’t represent my views at all. But that doesn’t really matter; what matters are the views themselves.
The test to be applied is the value of those views, not their popularity.
I always thought politicians, like newspapers, should be leaders, not followers or panderers.
In endorsing Bill James, the Observer has shown that it neither subscribes to that view nor practices it. Be ashamed.
Ron Alridge
Mint Hill
Public broadcasting some of the best; those cuts are no joke
I am disturbed by the media’s constant reference to public broadcasting as “Big Bird.” The term implies that the public broadcasting medium is primarily for kids, and nothing could be further from the truth.
When people want substantive TV viewing during the evening, they turn to “Nova,” “Frontline” or numerous other serious programs that they won’t find anywhere else.
The pending loss of public broadcasting due to federal budget cuts will leave a gaping hole in our culture.
Ray Pippin
Charlotte
