Has Congress forgotten what the Bible says about the hungry? | Opinion

Hunger and poverty are not Democratic or Republican issues. They don’t care how you vote, what church you attend, or what side of the aisle you sit on. No one should live in the richest country in the world and face not being able to feed themselves or their children.

The most vulnerable deserve protection and compassion, not cruelty. Have we as a society lost our capacity for empathy? Have we become so morally numb we no longer care about suffering? Matthew 25:35 reminds us: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink.” That is the moral standard we must uphold.

What we are witnessing in government today threatens us, chipping away at hope and eroding resilience in our communities. People deserve better than to be treated as political pawns in decisions that deepen suffering. It’s time to rise above political identity, and call on Congress members to put people before party. Feeding our neighbors is not charity, it’s community.

Yolanda Gordon, Fort Mill

Tax distaste

I want leaders in Mecklenburg County to understand why I voted against the transportation tax. I am sick of watching my tax money go to build much needed lanes on our city’s interstates but have them operated as toll lanes managed by non-Mecklenburg businesses.

If my tax money is already paying for construction of these lanes, then I should not have to pay even more to use them. Period. Money for bus and rail lines wasn’t a consideration for me. As a senior, the distaste I have for this transportation tax is beyond description.

Kenneth Buchholz, Charlotte

Devastating effects

A 16oz cereal box sells for $4 versus $3.50 last year. The manufacturer downsizes it to 14oz, and it still sells for $4. It now costs 30% more to buy the same amount of cereal. Inflation is bringing price increases and size decreases. Americans are feeling the devastating effects on groceries and other products and services.

The current administration has not only ignored bringing prices down, it has increased them with tariffs. Despite promising to bring prices down on day one, they’re focused on golden ballrooms, bailouts for Argentina and extravagance for billionaires.

Lee Fluke, Charlotte

Pathetic turnout

Mecklenburg County voter turnout in this week’s election was higher than previous off-year races. Nonetheless, 22% of registered voters casting ballots is pathetic. It would be interesting to see that broken down by individual precincts. It could provide insight into ways to increase turnout. With so much at stake in elections in today’s environment, it’s hard to understand the apathy.

Kent Rhodes, Charlotte

Heed the voice?

The comment period for the EPA’s proposed rollback of key pollution regulations, including industry reporting requirements, recently ended. Over 140 environmental organizations opposed rollbacks, joining other groups and thousands of individuals who see the value of these protections. Will the EPA heed the voice of citizens? Or will they go along with the administration’s efforts to make it easy for corporations to pollute our environment without any penalty?

The U.S. is not partaking in the COP30 climate summit despite being one of the world’s largest polluter. A recent U.N. climate report shows a slight decrease in temperature projections. With the regulation rollbacks and removal of oil drilling limitations in Alaska, that improvement is likely to be erased. I’m not seeing greatness on the horizon.

Lynn Dransoff, Charlotte

Darker months

I’ve organized UNC-Charlotte students around a campaign to fund wildlife crossings in the state. We urge NC legislators to pass $10 million of funding for wildlife crossings. As the General Assembly still works to pass a comprehensive budget, the end of daylight saving time highlights the dangers of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Collisions increase 16% after daylight saving time because drivers are commuting during an earlier sunset while wildlife is at peak activity. Wildlife crossings are the solution to keeping North Carolinians and wildlife safe in these darker months.

Emma Bernbaum, Charlotte