Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.27.15
Elect moderates to reclaim N.C. political process
Extreme right-wing Republicans have gained control of our state’s government.
They have passed laws resulting in lowering taxes on big businesses and the ultra-wealthy while increasing taxes on the vast majority of our citizens. At the same time, legislation has been passed which compels local governments to use regressive sales and property taxes to balance their budgets.
The election of these extremists has been facilitated by moneyed individuals and political PACs which have co-opted and corrupted our political process.
The citizens of North Carolina must reclaim the political process.
Electing moderate, fair-minded members of both the Republican and Democratic parties to guide our legislative and executive branches would achieve that goal.
Will Graves
Charlotte
In response to “Driver costs on the rise?” (April 21):
Transportation bill would hurt consumers and auto dealers
Rep. John Torbett’s transportation bill is insulting and makes absolutely no sense.
Adding a new 6.5 percent tax on auto insurance premiums is beyond comprehension.
Raising the highway use tax on new vehicles from 3 percent to 4 percent will significantly hurt both consumers and dealerships.
Leave the gas tax where it is.
John D. Shaw
Charlotte
In response to “Schaffer walks point on conservative social issues” (April 20):
North Carolinians should be troubled by Schaffer’s educational background
It is cause for alarm that Rep. Jacqueline Schaffer emerged from Regent University.
The previous White House loaded up on Regent grads, who were rated true believers, particularly on Guantanamo and “extraordinary rendition.”
The thing to note is that according to Regent’s website a “regent” is someone pursuing the king’s interests until the king returns.
Not all of us are comfortable with a person or faction claiming to know how a king, secular or divine, would order a government.
Steve Craig
Charlotte
Building so many low-quality homes not good for this beautiful city
This beautiful city is starting to look like a mining town.
Tract builders are running amok, constructing low-quality, overpriced homes.
This is not sustainable economic development.
These homes don’t appreciate, they depreciate. Yet, the owners pay the same property tax rate.
Now, our elected officials are considering raising the property tax. If the city wants to increase property tax proceeds, raise the rate on homes over $500,000.
Randal Phillips
Charlotte
In response to “Outerbelt to open by July 20” (April 23):
Delays on outerbelt’s last segment an indictment of incompetent NCDOT
In addition to the scandal of why it is taking the state 25 years to complete the outerbelt around its largest city in the first place, the N.C. Department of Transportation has totally bungled the completion of the outerbelt’s last segment.
Last fall state officials were predicting completion by the end of 2014. Then it was March 2015. Now, it’s July 20.
If DOT had competent personnel conducting effective oversight of the companies receiving millions of dollars of state money, we would get realistic estimates, not ridiculous delays.
Steven P. Nesbit
Charlotte
In response to “Bill would expand wait for abortions” (April 23):
72-hour abortion wait accomplishes little and won’t change minds
Once again our representatives in Raleigh are pondering the acorn while needing the sheltering oak.
They are addressing issues more social than practical, more personally prejudicial than consensus building.
A decision firmly made by a woman in consultation with her physician isn’t going to change with two days of stress-filled delay.
But we can expect no more from a populace that elects them and considers facts less than self-serving opinions.
William J. Wortman Jr.
Statesville
This story was originally published April 26, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.27.15."