Not increasing NC unemployment benefits at this time was the right move

The right move on jobless benefits

I believe the N.C. legislature was correct in refusing to increase unemployment benefits at this time. Many unemployment recipients are making more money by not working. For example, an employee earning $20 per hour will make $800 per week while working, but receive $950 in state/federal unemployment benefits. What’s his incentive to return to work?

The basic premise of unemployment is to subsidize lost wages, not to fully replace wages. The N.C. legislature should revisit this issue in early July, shortly before the $600 weekly federal unemployment supplement is set to expire.

Kenny Colbert, Cornelius

GOP policies hurt the poor in NC

North Carolina GOP leaders unapologetically gutted unemployment compensation, making it the stingiest plan in the country. Now, we have a pandemic which has put more than a million people out of work. Many were likely living paycheck-to-paycheck and have no savings to fall back on.

In addition, N.C. Republican leaders have rejected Medicaid expansion. Because of this many of citizens are left with no health coverage - in the midst of this pandemic.

There have been repeated calls for the Republican-led legislature to rethink these policies, to no avail. How do these people sleep at night knowing their policies are costing people’s lives?

We are all in this together. You have a choice on how you will respond. Will you share hope or punish those less fortunate?

Lucy Grasty, Charlotte

Protesters ‘won,’ but at what price?

Regarding “Gov. Cooper allows for start of lifting coronavirus orders,” (May 6):

You can stop protesting now. You’ve “won.” North Carolina is joining state after state in reopening, and as a result nationwide coronavirus deaths are expected to double. Is it worth it? Only time will tell.

Steve Benkosky, Boone

Trump should lead the reopening

The president and national government should have a larger role in reopening the country. A strong, unified response by the federal government is important not only to public health but accountability. In times of national crisis, the American people look to the president for direction and strong response. This pandemic is a national security threat and most states reopening are ignoring White House guidelines. It’s time for the president to step in.

Gabriel Russ, Lincolnton

Barr brings bias to nonpartisan post

When President Donald Trump is rebuked by the judicial system for trying to institute a policy that violates federal law or when one his cronies is convicted, it can’t be that they are at fault so blame is placed on an “Obama judge” or the “deep state” or the FBI.

But Paul Manafort was convicted by a jury and some of those “Obama judges” were appointed by Republicans. Michael Flynn plead guilty twice under oath and was fired by Trump for lying to Mike Pence.

If anyone is guilty of appointing political hacks who bring bias into what should be a nonpartisan position, it’s Trump himself. Attorney General William Barr is exhibit “A.”

Arnie Grieves, Charlotte

Only certain racism seems to outrage

I wish someone could help me reconcile something. There seems to be ongoing outrage against a Mecklenburg County principal regarding his usage of a racially insensitive comment made in a public setting several months ago. While the remarks were both distasteful and clearly inappropriate, the principal subsequently apologized for this error in judgment.

I wonder if Dan Snyder, majority owner of the Washington Redskins, would ever take it upon himself to apologize to the larger American Indian community for the racist name he has blatantly used to demean our people for so many decades? More importantly, where is the public outrage here?

Ray Brayboy, Myrtle Beach

Let’s keep enjoying bluer skies

So it’s really true: the air is clearer, the skies bluer. One aspect of resuming “normal” life will surely not be welcome - or healthful - and that is traffic pollution. In addition, our regular, year-round use of small combustible engines such as mowers and blowers seems to increase yearly. According to University of Delaware professor Douglas Tallamy in his book “Bringing Nature Home,” running a mower for one hour is equivalent to driving 650 miles. Think on these things and ponder them in your lungs.

Leslie C. Tompkins, Charlotte