Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.07.15
In response to “Garbage fee could convert to tax” (May 5):
City budget all smoke and mirrors
I fail to see how City Manager Ron Carlee’s proposal to eliminate a garbage fee and replace it with a higher property tax eliminates our budget crisis.
Sounds like smoke and mirrors to me.
He is trying to bundle city services like my cable company bundles my cable bill. I’m forced to pay for channels I never watch and never will. Why should I pay for city services I never use and never will?
I don’t mind paying full price for the services I use, but let others pay for the services they use too.
Jim Van Meerten
Charlotte
In response to “DOT to move forward with tolls” (May 6):
Let’s hear where governor stands on Cintra contract
N.C. DOT has entered into a contract with a foreign company to not only manage the toll lane about to be built, but also blocking the construction of any additional non-toll lanes for the next 50 years!
This awful precedent will affect future highway construction throughout the state.
It is time for Gov. Pat McCrory to step up to the plate and weigh in on the topic.
We know where he is on toll lanes. Where are you, Mr. Governor, on this additional restriction on non-toll lanes?
It happened on your watch.
Robert Beaven
Matthews
Raising DMV fees will result in unsafe roads; just raise gas tax
Raising DMV fees will result in unsafe roads; just raise gas tax
The Republican rocket scientists in Raleigh are either uninformed, or just plain stupid.
By upping license and inspection fees by 50 percent, the incidence of tags and inspections not renewed will skyrocket, at the same time further burdening the costs on drivers who do not drive a lot of miles.
Guys, just increase the gas tax! This will equalize the burden and keep our roads safer.
John Walsh
Charlotte
In response to “Segregation’s lingering legacy” (May 3 Opinion):
I blame excuse-making politicians and black culture
Eric Frazier wants the successful to get closer to the unsuccessful. The successful are successful because most came from two-parent homes, stayed in school, didn’t get pregnant until after marriage, and got jobs and kept them.
It’s obvious that the unsuccessful should get closer to the successful. Many have.
Culture, excuse-making politicians, and lack of tough love – except for Baltimore’s Toya Graham – hold down most.
Ed Mesko
Charlotte
Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society led to demise of black family
Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society led to demise of black family
I too was raised in South Carolina, in a mill village. I had black playmates with the same morals, values and dreams as me.
Without diminishing the effects of slavery and segregation, I would argue that Eric Frazier missed the major cause affecting blacks: Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society.”
It required the destruction of the black family; no family with an able body male as head of household could receive benefits.
Since then, we have witnessed the decline of the black family and increase in black children born out of wedlock.
Had Dr. King’s movement been allowed to achieve its natural fruition in the assimilation of blacks into the workplace and social environment without government intervention, we would not have the racial issues we have today. And black families would be three or four generations stronger.
Harry McPherson
Statesville
In response to “Rich hijacking politics in U.S., just like they have in Mexico” (May 5 Forum):
Don’t blame the billionaires, it’s the corrupt politicians
Don’t blame billionaires for hijacking democracy. They can’t do anything that isn’t enthusiastically encouraged by corrupt politicians. If some politicians weren’t for sale, all the money in the world would have no influence at all. So point the finger at the corrupt politicians you elected.
Dave Wilson
Matthews
In response to “Crack down on Providence Road drivers” (May 4 Forum):
Here’s another stretch of road that needs CMPD’s attention
When cracking down on speeders on Providence Road, please do not exclude the section of Queens Road outbound from uptown between Granville Road and the intersection of Queens and Providence.
Richard Heuser
Charlotte
This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.07.15."