On Paris accord, Trump was looking out for the U.S.
Trump made right call on Paris accord
In response to “Trump: U.S. will leave global climate accord” (June 2):
If all the countries in the world want to go along with the Paris climate accord then why do they need the United States – other than they want our money and they know it would hurt our economy?
If people would actually read the accord they would see it is not only non-binding, but would put a much bigger burden on the U.S. than other countries.
The U.S. is already a world leader in improving the environment.
President Trump made the right call.
Dick Meyer, Charlotte
On climate change don’t put politics first
On climate change don’t put politics first
Are humans responsible for global warming? The vast majority of climate scientists say we are.
For those who say we’re not, I say: “What if you’re wrong?”
Virtually everyone reading this will be long gone when that climate change bird comes home to roost. If the climate scientists are wrong, what will it have cost us? We may have lost some jobs, it may have cost consumers some money, and maybe we ended up with a better planet Earth.
If the climate deniers are wrong? God help us. If they’re alive 100 years from now, what could they possibly say to their progeny to justify dooming our planet? That they didn’t know? They knew. They just put politics first – an eternal shame.
George Evanoff, Midland
Keep mimosa law just the way it is
In response to “You could be closer to ordering that mimosa on Sunday mornings” (June 1):
Folks move to North Carolina to enjoy what is offered here. Now some of those folks want things to change – the mimosa law – so that it’s more like where they came from.
Do we really want to change things to the way it was “back there”? I really don’t think so.
Bill Lane, Polkville
Obamacare is unsustainable, for all
In response to “Health care Congress gets shouldn’t differ” (June 2 Forum):
It’s true that since 2014 members of Congress have had to purchase insurance from the Obamacare exchanges.
However, they’re required to choose from the Gold tier and the federal government subsidizes 72 percent of the premium cost. In essence, almost 75 cents of every dollar paid for their coverage is paid by our taxes.
When the subsidies are so high it is simply unsustainable.
MIT professor Jonathan Gruber was right when he said Obamacare passed because of “the stupidity of the American voter.”
Sydney A. Odell, Charlotte
That Chevy Bolt tax credit benefits all
In response to “St. Onge’s Chevy Bolt column infuriating” (June 2 Forum):
Regarding Peter St. Onge’s Chevy Bolt tax credit… The point of tax deductions, be they mortgage, charitable gifts, or business deductions, such as those given routinely to Exxon et al, is to further the common good.
Since we all breathe and drink water, I don’t see how encouraging clean energy isn’t good for us all.
New renewable energy opportunities also create needed jobs.
Joan Gardner, Sherrills Ford
Leaks are a powerful tool for the public
In response to “Leakers deserve harsh punishment” (May 31 Forum):
Some leaks may indeed cause harm, but leaks are also a crucial part of our system of free speech and free press, holding government accountable to the people for incompetence and wrongdoing.
Secrecy is pervasive; without leaks, we would often be deprived of essential information.
Officials reflexively condemn leaking by others while hypocritically resorting to it themselves when they see fit.
High-level officials do so with impunity, while lower-ranking, patriotic whistle-blowers risk having their lives ruined.
Leaking should not be a criminal offense, let alone a capital offense, and it does not meet the constitutional definition of treason.
Daniel Hoffman, Charlotte
Hot dogs and a side of ‘big government’
For eight years my church has presented “Hot Dog Friday.”
A hot dog, drink and bag of chips is $3. Donations are accepted for desserts, which are homemade and wrapped.
Proceeds are used for special church projects.
We’ve probably served close to 80,000 hot-dog meals and desserts without incident.
The problem? Health department inspectors will no longer allow us to offer homemade desserts.
Is this government overreach? I like to decide what and where I eat. How about you?
Richard Lynch, Charlotte
This story was originally published June 4, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "On Paris accord, Trump was looking out for the U.S.."