Timing is everything in debate over Panther stadium upgrade

Asking area residents to pay more taxes to support renovations to the stadium at a time when the economy is in a weak recovery is poor timing.

The Panthers are performing only slightly better than the economy, so it’s also a poor time to expect support from fans.

Unless the renovation plans are required for safety or security, they should be put on hold pending significant improvements in performance of the economy or the Panthers – or preferably, both.

Alden Segrest

Denver, N.C.

In response to “Restaurants love Panthers, not tax” (Feb. 21):

You’re the one who wants to watch football, you pay for it

It seems totally unfair to ask 97 or 98 percent of the population to pay for the entertainment of 2 or 3 percent. Most people will never go to the games because of PSLs and the high cost of tickets.

The N.C. restaurant industry is right to oppose taxing 98 percent of the people just so 2 percent can have their entertainment. And that’s all it is, bottom line: entertainment!

Mel Helms

Charlotte

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In response to “CMS board to ask for $33.7 million to boost safety” (Feb. 27):

Let those who buy guns pay for added security at CMS schools

Since we have guns throughout our society, we should put armed guards and cameras in schools. And we should place a special sales tax on all guns and ammunition sales to pay for it.

We tax gasoline to pay for roads.

We tax cigarettes to pay for the extra medical expenses.

So why not tax guns?

Robert D. Culbertson

Charlotte

In response to “Duke won’t be repaid from DNC” (March 1):

Hard to miss the irony of Duke’s ‘corporate cash’ paying for DNC

The irony was thicker than my newspaper Friday when I read “shareholders will foot $6 million of the (DNC) cost” and “The DNC host committee struggled to raise money under fundraising rules set by the White House that banned corporate contributions.”

Bill Cleveland

Waxhaw

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In response to “Looming federal cuts to hit hospitals hard” (March 1):

Hospitals hurt by sequester should dip into their savings

The hospitals facing financial losses should do as I and others have done during the financial mess – dip into their savings.

As the article a few weeks ago stated, Carolinas Healthcare System – a “nonprofit” – earned a profit in 2011.

Doctors and clinics can do the same. This country and the citizens cannot continue to spend money we do not have.

Bill Lane

Polkville

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Still waiting for the president to put forth a plan to cut spending

When it comes to dealing with our ruinous federal deficit, President Obama is long on lofty rhetoric but short on real practical proposals.

There is general agreement that we need to reduce federal spending. The president opposes the sequester in favor of targeted budget cuts combined with more tax revenue. Fine. In our system of government, the president proposes and congress disposes.

President Obama should put forward specific legislation and insist on a congressional vote. Then, we could debate a real proposal, not ephemeral concepts.

Real leadership is stepping forward to get things done, not sitting back and criticizing others.

Steven P. Nesbit

Charlotte

In response to “Nun looks at future of the church” (Feb. 23 Faith & Values):

Nuns on the Bus leader wrong about ‘winning’ on health care

Sister Simone Campbell, organizer of “Nuns on the Bus” says “we won on health care.”

But “we” clearly cannot include those Catholics who do not wish to pay for other people’s abortions.

Sister would fit right in with the current administration, where as long as you pretend to care for the marginalized, there is no need to “live in the rules.”

Jack Peele

Cornelius

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In response to “$9K Oscar gown an odd display of excess in this economy” (March 1 Forum):

I know where Obama stands on education; that’s what matters

It would have never occurred to me that Michelle Obama wearing an expensive dress for her Oscar presentation was sending a message of excess.

Never for a minute did that $9,000 dress make me forget which side President Obama stands on things like the social safety net, minimum wage, and oh yes, education funding!

Kelly Stevens

Charlotte

There were plenty of excesses at the Oscars to go around

Of all the excesses displayed at the Oscars, it’s interesting and quite suspect that Forum writer Linda Ramge zeroed-in on the First Lady’s dress.

Apparently, she missed the $2.5 million worth of jewels worn by Jennifer Garner; the $354,300 worn by Anne Hathaway; $1.5 million worn by Naomi Watts; or the $1 million worn by Zoe Saldana.

If writers are going to complain about excesses in tough economic times, they should present a balanced viewpoint. Otherwise, one may think the writer is choosing persons to criticize based on some hidden agenda.

Cecelia Foster

Matthews