NC senators Tillis, Burr must be voices of reason. Call Bolton, Mulvaney to testify.

Burr, Tillis must be voices of reason

We are at a crossroads. Constituents of Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are watching, the world is watching, and future generations will watch how this plays out — who had courage and who failed to stand up to the bully-in-chief.

We need a fair trial in the Senate. We need witnesses. We need to hear from John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney.

I urge our senators to be a voice of reason and ethics. We have an amoral president who lies and belittles and has ruined the Republican party. Our Senators should take back their dignity. Together we can take back our country.

I beg them to put country over party and self interest. America is counting on them.

Julie Crandall, Mooresville

Case against Trump is weak. End it.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said that if the Republican senators did not vote to impeach they were going against their oath. Yet, it appears all 47 Democrats have already decided to vote to impeach no matter what transpires in the trial.

Should the four senators running for president not recuse themselves since they have something to gain? Nancy Pelosi was supposed to be an impartial leader of the House. Obviously, that is not the case.

The two articles of Impeachment do not define a crime, nor do they justify this proceeding. Now after rushing to judgment, the House wants to add more to its charges. This case is so weak, it should be thrown out.

Thurman Linker, Cramerton

US senators, don’t break your oath

President Trump, like any other citizen, must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Senators who declare allegations against Trump are baseless while justifying his actions before all evidence is presented, break their oaths of office. They also demonstrate their disdain for due process and the Constitution. And, they forget those wounded and killed in defense of our rule of law.

They wear their patriotism on flag pins, but put their jobs, party, and ideology above their country. Is this “making America great again”? An impartial trial is the sworn Constitutional duty of every senator, not re-election.

Robert P. Klein, Charlotte

Past tax incentives haven’t paid off

Regarding “Charlotte might pay more than $110M on MLS deal,” (Jan. 16):

If Charlotte CFO Kelly Flannery is so sure the city can afford to invest $110M on a tourism-related project such as an MLS team, then someone is selling a pig in a poke. Past tax-based incentives awarded to private businesses have yet to have the economic impact touted by local politicians.

If past incentives have paid off, why are we not seeing a decrease in property and sales taxes from the projected benefits?

Ed Carlson, Charlotte

Why CMPD has so many vacancies

Regarding “CMPD struggles to fill almost 200 open spots,” (Jan. 15):

I wonder why there is such a shortage of CMPD officers? Could it be because their hands are frequently tied? Or, because they arrest people day after day who are put back on the street the next day? Could it be because the courts are way too lenient? Judges make officers’ jobs thankless.

No matter what happens, the citizens here love and appreciate CMPD officers. Keep up the good work and know that not everyone is against you.

Debbie Ferreira, Charlotte

What about buses on Independence?

Regarding “Faster I-77 North bus routes coming to Charlotte,” (Jan. 15):

So glad to see that buses will use the new I-77 toll lanes, as they should. But what about the bus lanes on Independence Boulevard? When in the world will these be used again?

As a former bus rider, we were told three years LOL. Last I heard the bus lanes will be converted to toll lanes, but there is confusion and not much transparency around this.

Can someone please shed some light on this project? As the people paying for it, we deserve some information.

Lane Angell, Mint Hill

US health care is no longer the best

At a town hall years ago I heard then-Congressman Robert Pittenger claim the USA had the best health care in the world. Amid so much Democratic debate on Medicare for All, I didn’t expect to hear it again. Last Sunday, I did hear it again from a local cardiologist at a church panel on health care.

Eight countries rate higher than the United States for national health care measures and the U.S. is the only country with shrinking longevity, while longevity is increasing in other countries.

Tom E. Bowers, Charlotte

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.