In response to “For Jerry’s sake, people; it’s just pennies were talking about” (Jan. 17 Forum) and related letters:

For some of us it really is about ‘pennies,’ we count each one

Some of us cannot dream of going to a Panthers game, much less being a PSL owner.

Some of us have had to let the bank foreclose on our home and ruin our credit because it was near Eastland Mall and we couldn’t sell it.

Some of us are unemployed. Some are re-employed at wages below what we were making, but we’re thankful for the job and to make the pennies we count so well.

How much more must we be asked to endure in this time of economic turmoil?

Nina Turnbull

Charlotte

Funding stadium just another bad idea from Foxx and crew

Mayor Anthony Foxx and his Democrat-controlled City Council have not been in power very long, but the financing of Bank of America Stadium improvements is the second tax-and-spend scheme they’ve come up with.

The first was the so-called capital program that contained a useless trolley. Even some Democrats balked at the price tag.

Now our mayor wants to double the prepared food tax to finance improvements for an organization that would have no problem with private financing.

Is this the way Detroit started its downward spiral?

Elton Shoemaker

Charlotte

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Gun control solution may lie in what Hyatt does to deter crime

In the wake of the horrific event in Newtown, Conn., I’ve seen several news segments filmed at Hyatt Gun Shop on local television.

It’s overtly apparent that several employees are armed with pistols secured in holsters on their hip.

I’ll wager dollars to doughnuts that Hyatt Gun Shop is the last retail establishment a prospective bad guy would rob. This raises a thought in the wake of gun control efforts now emerging in Washington: If more people are armed is this a better deterrent to crime than a less armed public?

Brooke S. Dickson

Charlotte

Tax guns heavily to help pay for thorough background checks

Instead of continuing to argue about the right to own a particular type of gun or large magazine, why doesn’t the federal and/or state government levy an excise tax on the sale of guns and accessories, something on the order of 50 to 100 percent?

This in no way would infringe on a person’s right to own a gun, but it would make it very expensive to do so.

The extra income would help to pay for new, and more thorough, background checks and probably help to reduce the sheer number of guns available.

Gene Doar

Charlotte

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Seeking cuts? Start with some of the foreign aid U.S. gives out

I’m extremely concerned that America seems to be OK with the United States giving Egypt 20 F-16 jets and 200 tanks as part of a foreign aid package signed when American ally Hosni Mubarak was president.

I am a Republican, but I’m upset with both parties for not bringing this to the attention of everyone.

Politicians always discuss cutting the deficit with Social Security and Medicare changes. Why isn’t anyone talking about cutting this type of foreign aid?

Marilyn Bethea

Durham

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Don’t keep taking my money

for Social Security I won’t get

I’m 24. People have speculated about what to do regarding Social Security for my generation, but no one seems to have asked our opinion.

Despite all the rhetoric about Generation Y not being responsible, many of us are already saving aggressively for retirement with the assumption of a meager, or zero benefit from Social Security.

When I speculate about this outcome, most everyone my age nods, knowingly. We are not entitled. We know our fate.

As for me, I’d be happy to stop paying into Social Security and be done with it. The government can keep everything I’ve paid so far, as a gift to older generations. But just don’t do the thing where you continue to take our money and we still get nothing.

Pete Miller

Charlotte

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We need a political party that’ll fight to restore middle class

The time has come for us to vote for people who will represent us! We do not need or want special interest groups, Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals. We must vote for AMERICA.

We must select candidates who vote in a way that transforms America into the thriving middle class America we all knew. There are many people who vote their party or their campaign coffers.

We need a new party. Americans for America, not greedy, self-centered, egotistical people who’ve gotten us where we are.

Douglas B. Sherrow

Mint Hill

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Shallowness seems to be a trademark of society today

We all need a new word to help in our analysis of what’s going on today. The word “shallow” can be applied to almost everything, from education, job training and customer service, to social media friends.

I challenge everyone to notice how often the word “shallow” fits what’s happening in your world. Then, make a vow to stop accepting it.

Lana Davidson

Taylorsville