Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles’ endorsement of Michael Bloomberg is troubling
Lyles’ endorsement is troubling
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles’ endorsement of Michael Bloomberg for president undermines 50% of Charlotte’s population — the combined percentage of black and Latino residents.
Being the first black female mayor of a city that ranks 50th in economic mobility for poor, mostly black people and three years after the Keith Scott shooting, endorsing Bloomberg, despite his consistent, harmful racism is an insult to communities of color in Charlotte. His $2 million prize to the city doesn’t change that.
Blaine Winford, Charlotte
With change, ASC can play vital role
Regarding “ASC to ask county, city for $12M for the arts,” (Feb. 12):
The arts are vital to a flourishing community. The Arts & Science Council? Not so much. The voters spoke unambiguously last fall.
According to its 2017 Form 990, the ASC spent a third of its $15-million income on salaries and fundraising. Barely half went to organizations doing the real work of artists in our community.
To the ASC I say: You can play an important role in the arts ecosystem of Charlotte, but you have failed to do so for many years. Fulfill your mission. Prove your value to the community. Until then, don’t come asking for money for salaries and fundraising.
Warren Smith, Charlotte
President Trump was rightfully outraged
Regarding Gene Nichol “Trump’s sermon: Bash your enemies,” (Feb. 11 Opinion):
President Trump’s prayer breakfast remarks were directed at actions which have hurt others, actions that have damaged the entire country. He is rightfully outraged at the waste and damage done to decent people like Brent Kavanaugh.
He is rightfully sick and tired of investigations of his supporters. Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler have recklessly hurt people. President Trump called them out for their transgressions, and rightfully so.
J. Spratt White, Fort Mill
A disheartening prayer breakfast
Kudos to Gene Nichol for his op-ed. For the last three years I have watched and listened with both sadness and anger as well-known Christian leaders have shamefully refused to take a stand for Christian values and common decency.
President Trump’s comments at the prayer breakfast were blatantly anti-Christian. We’ve come to expect this from a man who one evangelical leader sadly tried to defend as a “baby” Christian.
But what was most disheartening at the breakfast were the “religious folks” present who laughed when Trump mocked the words of Jesus, “Love your enemies.” I am not advocating that our next president needs to be a Christian, but I pray for one who exhibits common decency.
Gervase Hitch, Statesville
Limbaugh deserved Medal of Freedom
I take great exception to the Steve Sack cartoon reprinted in Thursday’s paper regarding Rush Limbaugh’s Medal of Freedom. Where was the outrage when President Obama awarded the medal to Ellen DeGeneres? What did she do to deserve it other than being a Hollywood entertainer? Limbaugh has been a leading voice for conservatism for most of my adult life. This cartoon is just another example of liberal media bias.
John Reeher, York, S.C.
What Barr should’ve said about tweets
Poor Attorney General William Barr worries that President Trump’s tweets about intervening in cases make it impossible for him to do his job. Could he not just finish his sentence and say it makes it impossible for him to do his job without looking totally corrupt and servile?
William D. Charnock, Charlotte
Medicare for All is the realistic solution
The writer is a health studies professor and former hospital administrator.
Regarding Chicago Tribune “Let states try innovation on Medicaid.” (Feb. 12 Opinion):
I doubt the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board really believes state-level innovation in the Medicaid program will lead to better health care for the poor.
Block grants are conservative schemes to further deprive the poor in the name of reducing federal spending. The only innovation Medicaid needs is to be absorbed into a single national health care plan like Medicare for All. That’s a program that will save both the states and federal government billions every year while providing comprehensive lifetime medical coverage to all of us.
We’re in this together. Improved Medicare for All is the only realistic and just solution.
Susan Rucker, Charlotte
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This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 2:14 PM.