Thanks for nothing on teacher pay increase

Thanks for nothing on teacher pay

Well, the Republican boost to teacher pay has hit. I want to personally thank Phil Berger and Tim Moore for leading the charge to show teachers what our legislators think of them and education in general.

My wife – with 25 years of teaching experience, a master’s degree, and national board certification as an outstanding educator – just got her pay under the new structure. She gets $3 extra every month.

She plans to save that extra money and treat me to lunch at McDonald’s twice a year. Thanks again, Mr. Speaker and Mr. President Pro Tem.

Dennis Smith, Mooresville

Roberts’ campaign expenditure vexing

In response to “Roberts’ campaign paid $1,000 for comedian Kathy Griffin’s hair, makeup” (Aug. 1):

The article revealing the $1,000 Mayor Jennifer Roberts’ campaign gave to comedian Kathy Griffin for hair and makeup for an L.A. fundraiser because “That’s just what they requested” makes one wonder if that’s typical of campaign spending – to aid already wealthy Hollywood celebrities.

What’s next for Mayor Roberts’ campaign? O.J. Simpson could “request” a limo upon his departure from prison this fall!

Brenda McCain, Hickory

A message for Tillis, Burr and Trump

I am a member of a group of N.C. constituents in Charlotte who’ve met with Sen. Thom Tillis’ staff about once a month since the beginning of the year to discuss issues near and dear to us.

We have always had a respectful conversation. Lately, our emails and calls are left unanswered. Sen. Tillis won’t hold town halls and his staff is now ignoring our requests.

Sen. Richard Burr has no Charlotte office and no constituent representative here.

When did it become common practice to represent only the people who voted for you?

This question goes to Tillis and Burr, and of course President Trump.

Laura Meier, Charlotte

Reagan made a big move, Trump can too

When Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, one of his first acts was submitting his tax cut proposal to Congress, which passed later that year – no small feat, considering Republicans were a minority in the House and a slim majority in the Senate.

President Trump needs to do something similar to counter all the distractions. Instead of personnel shakeups that accomplish nothing, he should perform a universally popular act on par with the Reagan tax cuts.

Let me suggest ending U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and bringing the troops home immediately. Not only would it be popular, more importantly it will get us out of messes we have no business being in.

Stephen V. Gilmore, Charlotte

Mental health exams for all candidates

Since the Trump entourage entered the White House it has become increasingly clear there needs to be a thorough vetting process to ensure candidates running for any office are qualified.

We must insist that all future candidates are subjected to a security investigation and a rigorous mental health examination.

If these basic procedures were active during the last election we would not be subjected to the inane, adolescent and embarrassing behavior of the current administration and its leader.

Larry Vogt, Mooresville

My 3-step plan to improve Congress

Want real change in Congress?

1. Cap service for congressmen and senators at 12 years.

2. Lobbyists pay an annual license fee of $100,000 or 20 percent of their gross income, whichever is higher.

3. Finally, ban coats, ties and starched shirts in Congress.

Russ Wood, Charlotte

Newcomers who can’t stop complaining

In response to “The four words that hold Charlotte back,” (July 31 Opinion):

Amy Chiou’s column is a wonderful summary of a fascinating social phenomenon in Charlotte: People who just moved here who can’t seem to stop complaining about it.

Apparently, she is grieved by the old-fashioned notion that people might be proud of their hometown. Would she tell us if other cities where she has lived do not have “problems seemingly calcified in a system of inequity,” or is this unique to us?

Welcome to Charlotte, we are glad to have you, now please stop complaining

Mark Valenti, Charlotte

This story was originally published August 6, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "My wife’s teacher pay increase gets me lunch at McDonald’s twice a year."