President Donald Trump has made a mockery of pardons

Time to ditch the presidential pardons

Donald Trump made a mockery of the pardon. Why is the chief executive even given such a power? The pardon is probably the most subject to abuse, favoritism and corruption of any power granted by the Constitution.

We have a judiciary system with ample levels of appeal to correct unjust or excessive sentences. Why allow a president or governor to undo judgments of the court system on a whim?

The Constitution is a masterful document, but it was not divinely inspired. We have seen the benefit of amending it many times. It should be amended again to remove the power of the pardon and eliminate another source of rank corruption.

Joel B. Miller, Hickory

Are NC senators paying attention?

Donald Trump’s pardoning of convicted, high-profile white-collar criminals shows he wants to decriminalize the elite type of corruption Trump himself has repeatedly profited from. Are North Carolina’s senators paying attention? Are Thom Tillis and Richard Burr oblivious to Trump’s rampant abuse of his office for personal and political gain? Or, do they feel that this is the new normal and that coddling an angry, vengeful Potemkin president is the best way to further their political careers?

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

Boy Scouts should’ve contacted police

Regarding “Boy Scouts’ future uncertain after bankruptcy filling,” (Feb. 18):

Thirty-plus years ago when my children were in Boy Scouts, I became an assistant scout master. During training, I do not recall anything being said about protecting the children in our care. I asked why none of us had criminal background checks and was told the national organization relied on sponsors of local troops to select adult leaders.

I admired and respected the adult leaders I worked with. But Boy Scouts of America was remiss in not notifying police whenever an allegation of sexual abuse was made. The “perversion files” are an admission of guilt.

Though I have fond memories of being a scout and have a son who is an Eagle Scout, I would not recommend my grandson join.

Augie Beasley, Charlotte

Limbaugh is a worthy recipient

The writer of “Limbaugh isn’t worthy of the medal” (Feb. 19 Forum) does not have to agree with Rush Limbaugh, just as I have not agreed with others awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom in the past. But please don’t take away from his merit.

Rush Limbaugh contributes, on a public, national level, to political, social and cultural issues that interest him and many Americans. He is the epitome of free speech. He is the epitome of the American dream, and is considered a talk radio icon. To me, these contributions, and many more, are praiseworthy.

Traci Cockerham, Charlotte

On capitalism, I see a skewed view

It amazes me that people fear aspects of socialism but ignore the obvious drawbacks of capitalism. Presently, we have a president who is pardoning criminals so they can contribute millions to his re-election campaign. We have a billionaire who buys his way onto a debate stage so he can foil a candidate who scares the rich and is supported by the people. And we have a Democratic socialist who thinks people shouldn’t die because they can’t afford their medications due to Big Pharma’s greed. Yeah capitalism, boo socialism, right?

Timothy Weeks, Fort Mill

Rents too high for retirees like me

The affordable housing crisis is a nationwide crisis. It used to be that a quarter of your pay went for housing. Now it’s often three-quarters. When I retired, I had to leave Charlotte as I could no longer afford my rent. I have good retirement income, but it wasn’t enough. It is sad when two members of a household work and still cannot afford to rent or buy a place to live. It comes down to greed. Come on people, this is America. It should not be this way. Something definitely needs to change.

Linda Clark, Albemarle

Key to education lies with families

J. Peder Zane hit the nail on the head in his op-ed “4 Myths About Education” (Feb. 18 Opinion).

It isn’t about more money, more diversity among teachers, or universal pre-K. Let’s not forget that we’ve long had free education for the first 12 years for every student in the United States and what has that produced. We rank low in the world in our education standing.

Zane is correct; the real key to better education rests with the family structure. Sending a student to class unprepared and uninterested is not corrected with free breakfast or free lunch. It’s the family interest and involvement that is the starting point.

Jake Bussolini, Mooresville