Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

There’s one thing Charlotte surely needs more than a soccer team

Here’s how I’d like to see $110M spent

What would benefit the Charlotte community more ? Spending $110 million on a soccer team or the David Tepper School of Medicine? We are the largest city in the United States without a medical school. Seems like a no-brainer.

Dr. Nicholas A. Cerimele, Cornelius

Mitch McConnell shuns impartiality

Senators who take part in an impeachment trial swear an oath that they “will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.”

Just last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that “Everything I do during this I’m coordinating with the White House counsel.” He also said “I’m going to take my cues from the president’s lawyers.”

There’s the impartiality from the foreman of the jury.

Arnie Grieves, Charlotte

Arnie Grieves
Arnie Grieves


So tired of this impeachment sham

Barry Marshall
Barry Marshall

I would not be surprised if President Trump has a small statue of Pinocchio hidden in the White House that he often worships. Having said that, as much as I hate politicians lying, I am so tired of the lack of due process in this congressional impeachment sham.

Barry Marshall, Charlotte

I’m skeptical about the Electoral College

A recent Forum writer mentioned that Donald Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by about 3 million votes, which is accurate. What is often overlooked, however, is that when the votes of third-party candidates are included Trump lost the total popular vote by more than 10 million.

This makes me somewhat skeptical about the Electoral College, which puts a premium on land mass instead of people.

Jim J. Williams, Valdese

My plea to Tillis, Burr, and Bishop

It’s time for Sen. Richard Burr, Sen. Thom Tillis and Rep. Dan Bishop to stand up for our democracy and stand against President Trump and Putin.

The Republicans are looking the other way as Trump betrays our national security, Constitution, and the people of Ukraine, for personal gain.

He is a threat to our democratic existence. He abused his power and obstructed Congress.

The GOP would not have tolerated the same behavior from a Democrat. They can be free of Trump and his threats to their careers by impeaching him.

Where is the dedication to the oath they took to uphold our constitution? Impeach now — nobody is above the law.

Claudia Abbott, Charlotte

A country with no backbone?

Sam Roberson
Sam Roberson

I grew up in the 1950s in a small Southern town when racism was still assumed and the Russians were our clear enemy. Not so, today.

Now, race, immigrants, Muslims, and to a lesser extent women and gay people, are the targets for Donald Trump’s base.

Russians are mostly white Europeans, and we no longer fear their threat to our national security. China provides everything we want to buy, so why not get along with China? Prejudice and economies drive current politics.

Can a country with no constitutional backbone counter the forces of prejudice and economics? It does not appear to be likely.

Sam Roberson, Fort Mill

We must change the way we elect people

Our representatives often spend everything they have to get elected. They enter office with little net worth and amass an astonishing net worth after several terms.

It’s time the American people demand a change in the way our representatives are elected.

I endorse a plan presented years ago by Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes: Give every legitimate candidate from each party $1 million and require the media to provide free air time for their presentations to the voters. Once elected, if a representative is found receiving “a penny” from anyone, he/she would be guaranteed prison time.

Perhaps with such a system, representatives would be willing to vote for term limits.

Cliff Rhodes, Indian Land, SC

Trump is green with envy over Greta

All I wanted for Christmas was for Greta Thunberg to win Time magazine person of the year — and the supposed adult in the room turns green with envy and tweet/rant jealous things about her. And Greta to respond like the mature person she is.

Wow — my wish came true! Not only did she win the award, but she showed President Trump that she really doesn’t care about him or his immature tweets.

Thank you, Santa.

Holly Saftner, Charlotte

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The Charlotte Observer publishes letters to the editor on Sunday most weeks. Letters must be 150 words or less, and they will be edited for brevity, clarity, civility, grammar and accuracy. To submit a letter, write to opinion@charlotteobserver.com or visit our letters submission page.

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What must I include?

You must include your first and last name, city or town where you live, email and phone number. We never print anonymous letters. If you’d like for us to consider publishing your photo, please include one.

How often can I have a letter published?

Every 30 days. But you can write as often as you’d like.

This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 5:00 AM.

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