Judge Blake’s win shows the NC system of electing judges is seriously flawed

NC must change how it elects judges

Regarding “Incumbent Judge Aretha Blake keeps District Court seat despite contentious campaign,“ (March 3):

Mothers of young children waiting for child support complained to the media about District Court Judge Aretha Blake taking years to issue court orders. Blake has been in the news for the past three weeks. She retaliated by suing a Charlotte TV station for libel and slander.

Wednesday morning Blake rode into the courthouse on her white stallion, having won re-election with 67.8% of the vote. Our system of electing judges is seriously flawed.

In Germany, judges are generally appointed through an apolitical, merit-oriented process in which academic performance plays a dominant role. The same is true in many other states and foreign countries. Where did we go wrong?

J. Jerome Miller, Charlotte

Here’s the Tillis ad that I imagine

Regarding “Sanders is the focus of Tillis ad on Day 1 of general election,” (March 3):

So, it’s not hard to imagine this ad: a groveling Sen. Thom Tillis as he loyally licks the boots of President Trump. Perhaps we will see a few heartfelt shots of Tillis as he prepares for another tough day of trashing democracy. Maybe him at a yoga class, so all that bowing down gets easier?

For now, all we can do is gaze enviously westward to Utah, where Sen. Mitt Romney reminds us it really is possible to elect a U.S. senator with a spine. Perhaps one day North Carolina, too, will pick a senator with actual backbone.

Terry Taylor-Allen, Charlotte

A gas mask? Sanction that congressman

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida showing up on the House floor in a gas mask to vote on coronavirus funding allocations can be likened to yelling fire in a crowded room. At a time when the world is on edge as this virus spreads to pandemic proportions, any U.S. elected official who behaves so flippantly should be sanctioned by his colleagues. I look forward to the response from the Republican leadership in Washington to this outrageous behavior.

Mary Gaertner, Charlotte

A housing plan that’ll aid low wage workers

Regarding “Rift over affordable housing stalls uptown Charlotte plan,” (March 1):

Affordable house continues to be a pressing need in our community, yet Inlivian and Charlotte leaders can’t agree on what to do with Hall House, an old hotel with 200 apartments in the center city that is on the historic registry. My idea? Get the hotels, restaurants, and businesses uptown to chip in and renovate Hall House and turn it into housing for the hundreds of close-to-minimum wage workers they employ in the center city. Think of the worker loyalty they would create, which would ultimately save them money on turnover.

Deb Park, Charlotte

Find a fix for this inhumane situation

Kudos to the writer of “Enough talk. Act on affordable housing” (March 3 Forum). He clearly expressed the views of many citizens about Charlotte’s lack of affordable housing.

Were Mecklenburg officials, especially the county manager, so naive or uninformed to ever think affordable housing would be “economically feasible“ on North Tryon Street?

That’s not the point. Surely there is enough talent in Charlotte to find a solution to this inhumane situation. Perhaps fewer huge incentives to sports teams owned by billionaires?

Mary Murchison, Charlotte

Get real; budget deficit is already $1T

Regarding “Democratic socialism is nothing radical,” (March 2 Opinion):

Joseph E. Kennedy’s position that our government should keep three basic promises had my head spinning. Nowhere in our Constitution did the founders state that the government promises to provide health care for all, free education after high school, or a base level of income.

Let’s be realistic. We’re running a budget deficit of $1 trillion a year - and that’s with a Republican president and Republican-controlled Senate generally believed to be fiscally responsible. If our government provided the benefits Kennedy suggests, then what would the budget deficit be?

Charles Conner, Charlotte

This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 2:33 PM.