Former NC Congressman: PGA players who joined Saudi league represent worst of America

Welcome to NC Voices, where leaders, readers and experts from across North Carolina can speak on issues affecting our communities. Send submissions of 350 words or fewer to opinion@charlotteobserver.com.

Saudis shamelessly bought PGA stars

The writer represented North Carolina’s 9th District in Congress from 2013 to 2019.

As I meet with parliamentarians throughout the globe organizing security/technology briefings with noted experts from industry, governments and think tanks, I find mixed feelings about America today.

While most leaders respect us, they often voice concerns about our commitments and values. Those concerns often focus on our misguided abdication of promises made to our allies in the precipitous withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan with their disastrous outcomes. They also focus on our “look the other way” attitude on egregious violations of human rights and religious freedoms in China — as U.S. private equity groups Invest hundreds of billions in China.

China is not our competitor. It is our adversary. President Xi has made clear the objective of China is to have world dominance and superiority in the economy, military power and technology.

Now, the world watches the over-eager financial pursuit of some self-serving golf stars being bought by the Saudis to start the new LIV golf league. In joining the league, the golfers are giving the Saudis cover for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the lack of freedom for women, and persecution of non-Sunni Muslims.

While it’s evident that Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and the other golf stars are shamelessly being bought — the deeper and more compelling concern is their lack of gratitude for the PGA platform that launched their careers.

From my native state of Texas, our commitment was “you dance with the one that brung you.” That is not so for the big-time golfers, self-absorbed and leaving in the dust the PGA, an organization that skyrocketed their brand and their fortunes.

From what I see, they represent the worst of America. I hope the international stages where they have represented our country have the good judgment to wave goodbye to them. They don’t raise the high flag of America and should not have the honor to represent us.

Robert Pittenger, Charlotte

NC Republican: Expand Medicaid

The writer is a former N.C. GOP senator.

Now, not next year, is the time to implement Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.

I served twice as secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the Medicaid program, during the final year of the Gov. Jim Holshouser’s administration and during the first two and half years of Gov. Jim Martin’s administration before becoming Martin’s chief of staff.

At various points after we left office, the Medicaid program became inefficient and riddled with waste, fraud and abuse.

I initially opposed expansion for at least two reasons: N.C. was unable to effectively administer its growing Medicaid program, and I could not justify expansion under the federal government’s $20 trillion debt at the time.

At least two issues have changed my opinion. I believe that North Carolina’s Medicaid program is now being operated efficiently. Second, I don’t believe that the leaders of the Republican or Democratic parties in Washington care about the growing national debt, which has now surpassed $30 trillion.

The N.C. Senate is to be commended, especially Senate Leader Phil Berger for his superb leadership for passing Medicaid expansion. Now the N.C. House must show similar enlightened leadership and place this item in the budget, without the other controversial issues.

How many more of our state’s most vulnerable citizens will die without needed health care if we wait seven or more months until the next session?

We also need Medicaid expansion to address the many mental health needs and substance abuse needs of the state’s citizens, in addition to primary care needs.

No lives should be lost to inadequate health care in our state. No one wants to explain to the parents of a deceased child why we delayed action on Medicaid.

I admit my change of opinion on expanding Medicaid in North Carolina. It is my hope that others will be willing to change their opinions too.

Phil Kirk, Raleigh