When mapping districts, leave party, race out of it

Time for unity, nonpartisan maps

Yes, gerrymandering by Republicans to create districts favoring their party is wrong. But both parties have been guilty of manipulating voting maps to their own advantage.

North Carolina’s 12th congressional district comically wove through the Piedmont like a snake, originally designed by Democrats along racial lines.

It is time to have nonpartisan systems to create geographically sensible districts without considerations of party, race or other dividing factors.

By such an approach we might elect less partisan leaders to help us live into our national motto: E pluribus unum (Out of many, one!)

Elect leaders who seek compromise

Other examples include the Obama administration’s over-reaching limits on carbon emissions in the Clean Power Plan and the Trump administration’s efforts to constrain immigration.

If we don’t want the courts constantly moderating extreme actions, we should start electing competent, open-minded leaders who are truly willing to consider different viewpoints while crafting durable and workable laws.

Fifty-one percent (or less) of the people dictating to everyone is not a recipe for good, stable, sustainable governance.

Trump is a disgrace and should resign

So now we have “shithole” countries from you, Mr. President.

Sir, with these and many other remarks, you have degraded the national conversation and cheapened the office of the president. While these may not qualify as the “high crimes and misdemeanors” necessary for an impeachment, nevertheless I would support your removal from office based on just these offenses.

You are a disgrace to the office and should resign immediately.

But he’s making the U.S. a lot of money

So, sure, President Trump should not say some of the things he has in the manner he has said them. Certainly, he voices his opinion at the wrong time and in the wrong place, whereas others before him have been more careful to say it in a more restrictive/acceptable atmosphere.

But here is the bottom line: He is a business man. He is making a lot of companies, people, and the USA a lot of money with changes to various regulations, domestic and abroad.

Now then, no one seems to be complaining about that!

Remember, you’re lucky to be born here

I live in this country because I was lucky enough to be born here. I had no input into that blessing. I could just as easily have been born in Haiti, Somalia or many other struggling countries.

Many of those trying to come here are trying to escape terrible abuses in their birth countries.

Each time I think or read about our immigration system, I pray for those who were not as fortunate as I to be born here and I look for ways to try to alleviate the suffering of those who through no fault of their own weren’t born here.

I’m with Cooper; say no to offshore drilling

Please support Gov. Roy Cooper and his efforts to get North Carolina exempt from offshore drilling. (“Cooper to ‘pursue every option’ against offshore drilling,” Jan. 4)

There is no 100-percent safe way to drill offshore. I have no interest in our beautiful Carolina coastlines and ecosystems being destroyed in the interest of big oil.

North Carolina is ranked second when it comes to solar capacity. Let’s build on that and lead the way!

Keep the oil in the ground and our coastlines safe and beautiful.

This story was originally published January 13, 2018 at 12:00 PM with the headline "When mapping districts, leave party, race out of it."