Seeing UNCC rail passes through the lens of race
Treat UNCC, JCSU students the same
In response to “UNCC students get bargain price for light-rail pass” (Feb. 8):
The racial divide continues. UNCC students will get light-rail passes for peanuts by paying a mandatory $25 per semester fee that will entitle them to unlimited rides.
There is no such deal for Johnson C. Smith University students.
CATS has already dropped its free shuttle service from JCSU to the Elizabeth neighborhood and says the service won’t resume for two years. The cost then: regular fare – no breaks here.
CATS says it might “consider” a deal with JCSU students later. We know what that means.
You can try to explain disparate treatment with a tortuous logic – or, you can just use the clear lens of race.
Nancy Zupanec, Charlotte
Rail pass shouldn’t be part of UNCC fees
The writer is vice chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.
I am writing to voice my displeasure with what I think is an illegal taking of property. When UNCC students are forced to buy a rail pass, regardless of whether they need it, that should be illegal.
No one should be forced to purchase a service that is not directly related to the university.
Costs to attend a four-year university are skyrocketing and mandatory fees like this place an even greater burden on those who have difficulty seeking a degree.
These students are already subject to a half-cent sales tax to provide for the transit system, even if they don’t use it. That should be the only “mandatory” cost incurred.
Jim Puckett, Charlotte
These GOP deficit hawks are hypocrites
Republican representatives Mo Brooks, Justin Amash, Jeb Hensarling, Dave Brat, and Jim Jordan all supported or voted for the tax cut plan that will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt.
Now, they’re wailing about the Senate budget bill, which adds billions to the deficit and debt.
These so-called deficit hawks are hypocrites.
If they are complaining because they are concerned about costs, that horse has already left the barn and they are to blame.
Dewey Rochester, Charlotte
End the infighting, Trump bashing
Donald Trump did not have to collude with the Russians to defeat Hillary Clinton. Her corruption and extreme carelessness were self-evident.
The Democrats will not win over voters with their constant hatred toward President Trump. Even with the support of the FBI and the media, Hillary lost the election. Can’t they get over it?
Americans have the right to vote for the candidate they feel will best serve their interests. When will Congress decide to serve the American people, instead of all the infighting?
Patsy Reames, Charlotte
Is Trump impacting stock market slide?
In response to “Stocks again take a plunge” (Feb. 9) and related articles:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported continued job growth over the last several years under President Obama, with 227,000 jobs created in Jan. 2017.
During the last three months of the Bush administration, Americans were losing close to 700,000 jobs a month. Like Bernie Sanders said, Republicans seem to have amnesia when it comes to that bit of history.
This president – whom I voted for – better not screw up the economy like most Republicans do.
We are already seeing a large hit on Wall Street, which showed steady gains under Obama that continued until now. They call it a “correction.” I just hope the correction is not a realization that Donald Trump is now president.
Michael Mezquida, Cornelius
Yes, objectivity is needed on all sides
In response to “The media shouldn’t act like a court” (Feb. 8 Forum):
Thanks to Forum writer Kenneth Kyzer for his critique of the media for not being objective.
I’ve taken the liberty to copy and forward to Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and all the leading personalities on right-wing websites and hate radio.
Jerry Walden, Rock Hill
How to raise billions for Trump’s wall
My wife has come up with a solution to building that wall: Use a scheme similar to the Panthers’ highly successful PSL concept. Each avid wall builder would, in return for $100,000, receive a small replica of a section of the wall. Perfect outcome: billions raised and everybody happy.
Dan Laurent, Charlotte
This story was originally published February 10, 2018 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Seeing UNCC rail passes through the lens of race."