NC teacher walkout would model how to speak up for what’s morally right

Strike would set good moral example

Some say that educators striking is not good for the students and sets a bad example by breaking the law. How can we not see that walking out is what is best for the kids and models how to stand up and speak up for what is morally right?

Providing decent wages, an equitable education, and mental health services for children isn’t a political issue. It speaks to the moral compass of a nation. When public education fails, who is going to shoulder the blame?

We already have the guardians of the public education system admitting their failure through the privatization of schools, vouchers, charter schools, and the appointment of an incompetent and out-of-touch U.S. Secretary of Education.

Ronny Reddig, Charlotte

Teachers are always asking for more

I am continually confused as to why teachers are always screaming for more money? No other profession gets that much time off with pay and with state benefits.

What about prison employees and road crews? They work nights, weekends, holidays, snow, sleet, every day they work. Most of them make no where near a teacher’s salary.

Good thing they don’t strike; they can’t afford to.

Mandy Smith, Albemarle

Board of Governors has diminished UNC

Regarding Gene Nichol “At UNC, the students are leading us. Thank the Lord.,” (Jan. 24 Opinion):

Co-opted by the right-wing N.C. legislature over the past 10 years, the UNC System Board of Governors has become an entity that protects the wrong ideas and the wrong people.

Sadly, that agenda has diminished the very essence of one of the oldest and best university systems in our country. As a UNC alumnae, it has been devastating to witness for those of us who appreciated the progressive, justice-seeking, horizon-expanding work led by and within that system.

The Board seeks to sidestep progressive open communication and ideas to maintain dominion of the things it and its ultra-conservative base hold dear — at the expense of justice and mercy for anyone it rolls over as it bulldozes its way along.

B.J. Butler, Cornelius

With Trump, I see nothing but success

Regarding “A worthy but flawed endeavor,” (Jan. 27 Opinion):

The irony of Edwin Yoder’s argument that the impeachment process is “prey to party sentiment” is obvious: The Democrats couldn’t get past party sentiment or they would not have impeached the president.

If one looks at his presidency through unbiased eyes, President Trump has been nothing shy of amazing. He has made other countries that have taken advantage of us pay for the benefits of that relationship. He continues to help the middle class succeed with tax incentives and breaks.

You may dislike the “R” in front of his name, you may dislike his use of Twitter and social media, you may even dislike him as a person, or question some of his personal decisions, but you can’t look at his presidency as anything but astounding success.

Trigg Cherry, Charlotte

Can’t pin Mueller probe on Democrats

Regarding “Democrats wasting taxpayer dollars” (Jan. 28 Forum):

How soon we forget. Republicans controlled all branches of the federal government during the initial two years of the Trump presidency. The Mueller probe was initiated by Trump appointees in the Justice Department and congressional investigations into Russian election meddling were chaired by Republicans.

The Mueller investigation resulted in 34 indictments and cited Trump for 10 instances of obstruction of justice. A standing policy concerning the indictment of presidents meant that Mueller could not charge Trump.

As for the cost, it appears the investigation may pull in enough fines and settlements to pay for itself.

Barry Jordan, Charlotte

Impeachment is no waste of time

To those who say the impeachment trial against Donald Trump is a waste of time when senators could be working on things the American people need, please know that the House prepared over 200 bills and sent them to the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring them up.

So, no, under McConnell’s leadership, the Senate has not been working for us.

For three years Democratic leadership has said to those crying for impeachment, “No. Impeachment is reserved for offenses against the Constitution.” And then, Trump went there.

We are seeing the Constitution being defended. That is noble and not a waste of time.

Suzanne Forbes, Charlotte