Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.10.15
In response to “Projections show $400M surplus for state budget” (May 7) and related articles:
Middle class paying the price for surplus
Due to this $400 million surplus further corporate tax cuts are being considered by the N.C. legislature.
Yet, the surplus is the result of deductions and exemptions being eliminated for the middle class and small businesses.
Once again our elected officials are suppressing the middle class while lining the pockets of the wealthy.
Our state is being destroyed by the economic and social policy this legislature has adopted. Please remember this at election time.
Chris Turner
Charlotte
In response to Our View “Refunds vanish, budget rebounds” (May 7 Editorial):
Editorial on surplus smackedof poor sportsmanship
When I played sports we were taught to be “good sports.”
Having railed against Gov. Pat McCrory and the Republican administration’s state tax reduction policies – which they argued would ultimately create a surplus and help our state’s ailing economy – it seems that the Observer should be sufficiently “good sports” to now say that they were right, and you were wrong.
But apparently, that is not your editorial style; I regret that.
Richard A. Vinroot
Charlotte
Many under age 65 hurt by loss of medical deductions
It’s a common misconception that extraordinary medical expenses affect only those 65 and older.
My wife Catherine is 63, has Alzheimer’s, and resides in a memory care home. Her 2014 out of pocket medical expenses were $66,000.
According to the CDC, in 2012 one in five (21.6 percent) nursing home and other long-term care facility residents were under 65.
I am a moderate Republican working for reinstatement of medical deductions in House Bill 46, with two amendments: (1.) Eliminate any age requirement; (2.) Effective date: Jan. 1, 2014.
Now is the time for House Bill 46 to be brought before the Finance Committee, amendments added, and expedited through the House and Senate.
Moe Smith
Charlotte
In response to “Feeling homicidal? Have a gun” (May 6 Viewpoint):
There is no easy access to silencers, not even for hunters
Tim White says allowing hunters to use silencers would allow “any would-be assassin or mass murderer…easy access to silencers.”
To purchase a silencer in North Carolina you first find the one you want at a local Class III dealer. You pay for it, although you won’t be allowed to take possession right away.
You fill out an ATF Form 4 which must be approved by the chief local law enforcement official, who may say no.
If approved, you send the paperwork, passport photos, fingerprint cards, and $200 to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a background check. You wait nine months to a year, and if you pass you can pick up your silencer.
So no, Mr. White, Amazon will not be selling them any time soon.
Dave Richardson
Denver, N.C.
In response to “Garbage fee could convert to tax” (May 5):
Shifting tax burden to them will drive businesses away
Why does City Manager Ron Carlee want to rejigger the property tax to get businesses to pay for a service we don’t even get – garbage collection? We have to pay a third-party contractor to provide this service.
Also, we paid a $50 annual business privilege license tax before it was repealed. No doubt with his property tax increase we’ll end up paying 10 times that.
I suggest Mr. Carlee take a long look down I-77 at all the business development occurring outside the city/county and ask himself, why is that?
William C. Scullin
Charlotte
In response to “Lines of N.Y. police honor slain officer” (May 6):
Officer’s death deserved same play as victims shot by police
Question: A man in Ferguson, Mo. is killed by police, front-page news. A man in New York City is killed, front-page news. A man in Baltimore is killed, front-page news. A police officer is killed, page 3A. Why?
Joe Dougherty
Charlotte
This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.10.15."