Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.15.15
N.C. in need of bold leadership
Wednesday’s editorial blog regarding the N.C. legislature’s stand on incentives for new jobs was spot on. They would rather get ideological back slaps from party leaders than win the growth game.
It’s that simple.
Tom Ross’ comments pointing out the state’s declining support for higher education could be extended to K-12 and to infrastructure as well.
David Brooks’ column explained this on the global scale: To change our state’s direction we need bold leadership.
Who are they in our state?
Carroll Gray
Charlotte
In response to Peter St. Onge “Is Jennifer Roberts really a long shot for mayor” (May 14 Opinion):
Will be hard for Roberts or anyone to unseat Clodfelter
The writer is a Republican political consultant.
Jennifer Roberts is a long shot for mayor for the simple fact that she has never served on City Council.
She may have a loud, vocal minority supporting her but elections are won by the silent everyday people who never attend party functions, rallies or festivals, yet still care enough to vote. The average voter age in a primary is 60 to 65, and these folks care about one thing more than anything else: experience and common sense!
Any candidate seeking to displace Mayor Dan Clodfelter will have to give a good reason not to re-elect him. So far, none of them have given a good enough reason.
Larry Shaheen
Charlotte
In response to “Who should save man’s sight?” (May 13):
Lang and others hurt by GOP efforts to misrepresent ACA
As a lawyer I regularly meet people like Luis Lang who are devastated by unpaid medical expenses or unable to obtain care.
They say they declined to buy insurance because they “are not fans of Obamacare.” Many believe the insurance is called “Obamacare,” literally. They’re surprised to learn it’s a mandate to purchase coverage from a regular insurance company.
The irony is that their own cognitive dissonance fueled by the right’s continued mischaracterization of the law means a high number of GOP voters are suffering without coverage.
When I meet them it’s already too late to help, as they have fallen below the subsidy threshold and are past the enrollment period, like Mr. Lang.
Richard Peniston
Mint Hill
In response to “Those Obamacare subsidies aren’t free; people like me pay” (May 13 Forum):
Glad to pay for ACA rather than pay for emergency room care
In response to Forum writer Michael Nellenbach: Neither he, as a retiree, nor the debt are paying for the ACA subsidies.
I am paying for the subsidies, and I’m glad to. Better to help pay for insurance than to help pay for emergency care.
Matt Robertson
Charlotte
Come Sunday to help heal, discuss local racial divide
The writer is pastor of Nations Ford Community Church.
Like most of America, Charlotte is facing a major anxiety: racial tension and unrest.
The faith community seems oblivious to the anxiety in the hearts of those who are feeling marginalized, underserved, and left out of the American dream.
In the wake of Ferguson, North Charleston, and Baltimore – and as Charlotte awaits the July 20 Kerrick-Ferrell trial – I am turning my Sunday morning message into a Sunday Morning Town Hall.
As the Church, we have a moral obligation to bring people together to get to know and understand each other and have a genuine dialogue about race and the realities of life.
Come Sunday at 11 a.m. to listen, learn, and voice your concerns.
The Rev. Phillip Davis
Charlotte
In response to “911 operator takes groceries to man who had no food” (May 14):
Kudos to 911 dispatcher who took food to cancer patient
What Fayetteville 911 operator Marilyn Hinson did is the type of act that shapes whether we live in communities that are happy and supportive places to live.
Though she was not seeking a reward when she took food to a newly released cancer patient who had no food in his refrigerator, the community needs to reward her – and others like her.
Hooray for Hinson and hooray for us for having her in our midst!
Ralph W. Milligan
Charlotte
This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 05.15.15."