NC legislature failed again to expand Medicaid. Now even more people are hurting.

NC should have expanded Medicaid

There is a critical need for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, especially with COVID-19. Yet, the N.C. General Assembly ended its session yet again without expanding it. To add insult to injury, deep-red Oklahoma has joined the 37 other states that have adopted Medicaid expansion.

More than 600,000 North Carolinians do not have affordable options for health insurance. That number is steadily increasing due to the spike in unemployment. As the state rebuilds, health care needs to be a priority. Closing the coverage gap is no longer an option. It’s a necessity. We must expand Medicaid now.

J. Donté Prayer, Charlotte

Lt. Gov. Forest is wrong about schools

Unfortunately, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest can’t tell the difference between common sense caution and fear. He said: “Our schools should be full of students, not fear.” He fails to understand that schools shouldn’t be “full” of students until COVID is reduced in the community. I endeavor to be cautious regarding community health. It’s reckless wannabe leaders like Forest that I fear.

Kerry Hogan-Hamer, Charlotte

Walking back a vote? That’s worrisome.

Kudos to N.C. Rep Allison Dahle on casting the only “no” vote on the bill about death investigation records — after midnight a few days ago. She said “...it was one bill when it left the House, and when it came back it was totally different.” After reflection, many lawmakers want to “walk it back,” as it now appears to have unintended consequences. I believe the majority of “yes” voters lacked rationale or honest responsibility when voting on a bill presented after midnight in a different form than they first saw. It’s embarrassing to wonder if this action is not far removed from their typical performances.

Richard Quadrini, Charlotte

Acknowledge a variety of voices

Regarding “Youth activists bring experience to protests,” (June 28):

I enjoyed the story on youth activists. Their ideals are not so constrained by history. But let’s also acknowledge views that have the benefit of experience. Yes, we must fix the inequitable treatment of Black men by police while acknowledging that many studies show children of two-parent families are more likely to avoid crime.

And despite my previous misgivings, we must remove Confederate monuments and rename public buildings named for racists while ensuring that our zeal for removing hateful symbols and speech does not abridge our right to free speech. And for those so inclined, let’s pray more for the well-being of our fellow humans.

Robert Edmonds, Cornelius

Anti-Trump GOP groups baffle me

I understand there are so-called Republicans forming anti-Trump groups to oppose his re-election. What kind of person would prefer Joe Biden? Granted, Trump is an egoist and a lot of other bad things, but look at the alternative. In spite of fighting for his life from Day One, Trump has accomplished a lot for America and is well on his way to draining the swamp. There is no other choice. What is the lesser of two evils?

Arthur Selby, Mint Hill

I see irony in that anti-mask stance

I find it ironic that some of the very same people who rile against wearing a mask are the same people who vote for politicians who pass socially conservative legislation that tells people what they can and cannot do.

Mark Mazzoni, Mount Holly

Airport needs to step it up on masks

I was at Charlotte Douglas airport Tuesday. While most people were wearing masks, many were not. There were baggage handlers walking through the terminal with masks on their necks and more than one pilot strolling with no mask in sight. And my favorite: two police officers in the atrium having a jovial conversation less than 2 feet apart, no masks. If Charlotte Douglas wants to go forward, not backward, it needs to do more about masking. When employees and police aren’t abiding by necessary measures, it sends a terrible message to the traveling public and sets us all back with this virus.

Karen Webster, Charlotte

Store mask policies matter to me

I’ve been a loyal customer to a local grocery chain for 27 years. Now I have a choice to continue that relationship where masks are not enforced and some employees have had COVID-19, or go elsewhere. Other groceries do enforce the mask rule. I’m in my 80s. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to know where I’m going to shop next and where I may never shop again.

Larry Bennett, Matthews