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In response to “Official: 27 dead in Conn. school shooting” (Dec. 14 CharlotteObserver.com):
Too many shootings, too many deaths; time to tackle gun issue
Isn’t it time to address the issue? How many more lives must be lost?
I don’t think the framers of the Constitution ever envisioned the weaponry of today. Let the hunters keep their licensed non-automatic rifles to hunt with. There is only one purpose for semi- and automatic weapons, along with handguns – to kill people.
Ron Ludwikowski
Belmont
Obama should heed Clinton’s wise words on fiscal cliff
The reason we’re facing a “fiscal cliff” is because the federal government spends more money than it takes in. When households and businesses are faced with that predicament, they cut back on spending.
However, not the federal government. It keeps on spending as if it’s business as usual.
It’s not. Surely Barack Obama must be aware of the words spoken by the husband of his Secretary of State: “The era of big government is over.”
It’s about time the president follow this edict by cutting spending across the board – pronto.
Stephen V. Gilmore
Charlotte
Time to take our fiscal cliff medicine, share budget burden
There is much weeping and gnashing of teeth over fear of falling off the “fiscal cliff.”
We are facing a $9 trillion problem. Going over the cliff gets us maybe half way there. Proposals from our feckless “leaders” don’t get us close to even a minimum.
The cliff forces spending cuts the Republicans don’t like and others the Democrats don’t like.
It also forces the idea of spreading the burden for our country’s budget guffaws to the entire population. Not pleasant medicine, but necessary.
Bill Wallace
Charlotte
In response to “Let’s protect Social Security” (Dec. 12 Viewpoint):
Yes, I’m ‘entitled’ to my hard-earned Social Security
I wish there were a way to require all of our representatives in Congress to read Caroline Poplin’s Op-Ed piece on protecting Social Security. There are also many Americans that also could benefit from reading this.
With what I contributed to Social Security along with my employer’s match, plus the interest compounded over the 40-plus years I worked, I have more than paid for what I am earning as my Social Security income – which some refer to as entitlements.
What I’d like to say, in agreement with Ms. Poplin, is yes I am “entitled” to receive the benefits for which I have paid.
Ruthie Dahlstrom
Charlotte
Beware of the juggernaut behind Nov. 6 election
On Nov. 6 the Democratic Party won an election; the nation lost America.
It seems obvious that the MUMMYS (Media, Unions, Misguided Minorities, Young voters, and Socialistic educators) have become a subjective, partisan juggernaut.
Raymond L. MacLean
Southport
Trackless trolleys of old might be good solution for Charlotte
As a senior citizen I can recall riding streetcars in small-town Washington, Ind. They were abandoned in the late ’30s largely because of traffic problems they created and the lack of riders.
In later years I worked in Chicago and often rode a trackless trolley on Western Avenue. (Trackless trolleys or trolley buses got their power from overhead electric wires but did not run on tracks.)
They seem to me to be a good alternative to streetcars. They create little more of a traffic problem than buses and avoid the fuel costs buses experience. But most of all they do not require tearing up the streets to install tracks.
John D. Clark
Charlotte
Sending a child like this to prison will not help, only hurt
I am horrified that yet again those who probably have never been abused stand in judgment over a child who was 15 and terrified as to what his father might do next.
We all know prison will not rehabilitate this child. He’ll never fit back into society, never work at a decent job. We may be paying his way the rest of his life.
This child and others like him need a place to go to get help!
He only demonstrated what he learned from his father – that violence is how you make people do what you want.
There must be a way to help those that are too young to help themselves.
Kathy Psaroudis
Charlotte
In response to “As ‘Twilight’ ends, a new star dawns” (Nov. 27):
I’m worried about kids I see
on TV, the adults in their lives
After reading about the 31/2-year-old Charlotte boy cast in a vampire movie, and seeing TV shows featuring very young girls in lots of make-up in dance and beauty contests, I worry about the welfare of children.
It would be wise for adults to consider the basic rights and dignity of these children. Every child deserves no less than love, kindness and compassion from adults as part of a wholesome childhood. Please keep this in mind.
Katherine Karr
Charlotte
