Share
In response to “A pledge to be proud of” (Dec. 4 Opinion):
Here’s hoping ‘The Dottie Martin Pledge’ goes viral
Thank you Dottie Martin for your “Pledge to be proud of.”
If only her pledge could find the traction in Congress that Grover Norquist’s “no tax” pledge has, then perhaps Congress would have the focus to rise above the partisan politics and provide the leadership our nation so desperately needs!
I invite others to join me in sending The Dottie Martin Pledge to our leaders in Congress and encourage them to sign it!
Rev. Richard C. Little
Concord
Put Dottie Martin, others on congressional advisory panel
In the negotiations between the White House and Congress over the looming “fiscal cliff,” I would go one step further than requiring members of Congress to take Dottie Martin’s patriotic pledge. Why not appoint her and a small group of bipartisan-minded citizens to serve in an ex-officio advisory capacity to President Obama and Speaker John Boehner as they seek compromise on a taxing and spending “grand bargain” that advances the national interest in sound government?
William E. Jackson Jr.
Davidson
Address the wealth gap or face election consequences later
Raising tax rates on the wealthy is not about revenue. It’s about people’s perception of what they consider fair.
When people drive through Ballantyne and then through East Charlotte, the imbalance in the distribution of wealth is strikingly obvious.
A democracy will not long endure this vast imbalance. America, being a representative democracy, will bring about change peacefully via elections, for better or worse.
Unwelcome change will happen unless we address the increasing gap between those who own 90 percent of America’s wealth and the much larger rest of the citizenry.
The smart move is to share now, as the alternative is out of our individual control.
Elections have consequences.
Roger Kitzmiller
Waxhaw
In response to “Fake medicines pose a growing threat to bargain-hunting consumers” (Dec. 4)
High prices in U.S. to blame
for proliferation of fake drugs
As long as Americans pay more than the rest of the world for prescription medications, there will be fake drugs.
I have used a Canadian site to buy generic Lipitor for nine years and saved over $10,000 because the Canadian government is not owned by U.S. drug companies. My doctor approves.
Chris Jackson
Matthews
In response to “Despite plea by Dole, Republicans reject U.N. disabilities treaty” (Dec. 5):
Another disappointing vote from Sen. Richard Burr
North Carolina has a long history of independent thinkers, such as Erskine Bowles, Bill Friday, Terry Sanford and Sam Ervin. Where would this state be if we had to depend on the likes of Sen. Richard Burr?
In the past few months Burr voted against the Veterans Jobs Corps bill, which he helped write. Tuesday, even after an ailing Sen. Bob Dole pleaded with senators to vote to support the United Nations disabilities treaty, Burr voted “nay.”
A “yes” vote would have improved the lives of those with disabilities all over the world. In 2016 let’s vote for a strong-minded senator, not an empty seat.
Sally Bethune
Chapel Hill
In response to “Unfair blame game?” (Dec. 2):
No pity from me for Broadwell; society expects more of women
Like it or not, society is much harder on women who have committed affairs.
The tone of “Unfair blame game” suggests that somehow we should feel sorry for this poor mother of two young boys. I don’t think so. She was obviously thinking of her own pleasure and not the feelings of her children at the time she was off with a married man.
Society expects more of women and especially mothers.
Charlayne Lefeber
Matthews
Tragedy is that downfalls like these bring fame, fortune
As a former officer and gentleman in the U.S. Army I find it most sad that Observer writer Pam Kelley’s article is probably correct in that a man who would so easily betray the trust of his wife and children will someday make millions in industry.
I also find it sad that a PR firm has been hired by Paula Broadwell to make us all forget her betrayal.
As Vladimir Nabokov said, “Adultery is a most conventional way to rise above the conventional.” In America it also seems to make for fame and inflate the sales of “fawning biographies.”
Carmen Talarico
Charlotte
Sure hope McCrory does something about N.C. DMV
My wife and I recently moved here from New York and we’ve encountered only one negative experience: the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
I’m looking for a diplomatic word to describe the DMV, but the only word that comes to mind is “disgraceful.”
Employees were courteous and tried their best. The problem is not with them, but with their lack of resources. Mecklenburg offices are appallingly understaffed; the Monroe office is staffed by private contractors who work in a small, shabby office. We’ve heard good things about Gov.-elect Pat McCrory. Hopefully, he will do something about this ugly situation in such a beautiful state.
John Griffin
Matthews
