Make Election Day a paid holiday this year to free up younger people to staff polls

Make Election Day a paid holiday

Regarding “Young people can help to fill our short-staffed polls,” (Aug. 5 Opinion):

Much has been said about how a significant majority of those who work at polling places on Election Day are older adults. Many are retired or can take the time off from work. These same people are at higher risk from COVID-19 exposure. They are sensible to opt out of working the polls.

The op-ed piece suggests that younger people could easily fill those roles, but omits that most of them are in the working population.

I see as an easy solution, one our president could “make points on.” Rather than fretting about mail-in voting, declare Election Day a national (paid) holiday, freeing up younger people to be poll workers. Making this adjustment soon would enable election boards to train them.

John Pinter, Charlotte

I thank businesses, applaud Cooper

Thanks to everyone who has sacrificed to keep us safe. Restaurants, bars and hundreds of small businesses have closed to prevent crowds gathering. I applaud the governor’s courage to order unpopular closures. The loss of income hurts, but is insignificant compared to illness or loss of life.

Watson Burts, Charlotte

NRA changed over the years. I quit.

Regarding “New York attorney general seeks to dissolve NRA,” (Aug. 6):

As a former NRA member and Federal Firearms License holder, I recognized back in the ‘90s that Wayne LaPierre, a former lobbyist turned NRA vice president, was not up to the task. Early on, I can remember African safaris that looked excessive. I let my membership lapse as an early form of quiet protest.

I had been a member for sometime before LaPierre converted the organization from a shooting sports-oriented group to a political action one, primarily concerned with disbursement of campaign donations and influencing votes.

It’s time to put an end to all political action slush funds and return to political equanimity.

George Garcia, Rolesville

Too many empty healthcare promises

I am appalled by the politicians’ promises during campaign time to lower healthcare costs. Living in the most prosperous country on earth it is unbelievable that people can lose their homes due to medical costs.

This is due to the power of the insurance and healthcare industries. The healthcare industry as a whole employs five, yes five, lobbyists for every member of the House and Senate, according to Princeton economist Anne Case. Someone must do something. Please.

Dorothy Booth, Huntersville

Panthers’ voting initiative irks me

The Panthers and the NFL have already done great damage to the league and the sport disrespecting our flag and our country, with the kneeling etc. in support of political movements like Black Lives Matter. Now, the Panthers are going a step further with what I see as a political initiative called “Your Vote Counts.”

Involvement in politics should disqualify them from the special tax and other benefits afforded them by federal and/or local government. PSL owners and fans should not be supporting activities that are even remotely involved with politics.

Don Reid, Charlotte

On masks, make sure workers comply

I read with interest the Aug. 5 article on Mecklenburg County’s efforts to help businesses enforce the mask mandate. My experience at a store operated by a cable and internet provider suggests that the first step should be getting salespeople to wear masks and to wear them properly.

I entered the store about 3 p.m. on July 31 and was directed to a young woman who was wearing her mask on her chin. When I asked her to mask up, she replied, “I can’t deal with it. If you don’t like it you can deal with another representative.” I left the store.

Businesses should do more to insure that sales people do not drive away customers, or more importantly, endanger their health.

David Collins, Pineville

Get global warming under control

We have invested heavily in climate-changing activities for years, pouring copious amounts of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Scientists have long warned that doing so could ultimately render our planet uninhabitable.

Well, our investment is now paying us back with interest. The worst of the warming takes place in the Arctic, releasing more copious amounts of methane from thawing permafrost and the shallow bottom of the Arctic Ocean. We are heading rapidly toward runaway global warming that we will be powerless to control.

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind,” says Hosea in the Bible. Fasten your seat belts.

Allen Hubbard, Lincolnton