Next step after Lyles’ apology? Remove all Confederate monuments on city property.

After apology, here’s what mayor can do

I commend Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles for her recent comments in “Charlotte’s mayor apologized for the city’s role in systemic racism. What comes next?” (Aug. 15).

What comes next? One effective way to display commitment to “...our city’s role to address our own systemic racism” is to quickly and efficiently remove any remaining Confederate States of America (CSA) Civil War monuments on city-owned property.

Kathleen Johnson, Charlotte

House relief bill would grow debt

Regarding “We need a coronavirus relief bill now,” (Aug. 18 Forum):

The U.S. does not have the money needed to pay for the proposed House relief bill. We already face a record budget deficit and can’t afford more spending. If we continue to print and borrow money, we will get trillions more in debt, runaway inflation, and the end of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Is that the legacy we want to leave for my 4-year-old daughter?

Charles Held, Charlotte

USPS shenanigans should anger all

What a great civics lesson for our young people. If you can’t win an election on the basis of your ideas, policies and record, then cheat.

Cheating is what removing mailboxes, eliminating sorting machines, limiting funding, understaffing offices, and otherwise sabotaging the U.S. Postal Service is.

Every American, regardless of party, should be outraged at these shenanigans.

Voting by mail is a necessary and safe option during the current pandemic. Jeopardizing that option to exercise the right to vote is simply anti-democratic. It is un-American.

This November don’t let the cheaters win.

Tim Sisson, Matthews

NC senators, fight for a fair election

I want to know what Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are doing to ensure that the 2020 general election will be a full and fair one.

Please don’t bore us with self-serving drivel; answer the question. I’m a voter (unaffiliated) and a lawyer. I know how to read the law, and I have owned a copy of the U.S. Constitution since law school in 1977.

As a nation, we’re in the midst of a constitutional crisis brought on by our president. He is doing is utmost to steal, or at the very least, undermine public confidence in-the upcoming election.

How do Burr and Tillis want history to remember them — as a champion of the Constitution and rule of law, or as one of the many GOP co-conspirators who put party before country? The choice is theirs.

Richard Benson, Brevard

Grateful to NC senators Tillis, Burr

On July 23 Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, along with several other Republican senators, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to consider investment to bolster the clean energy economy and innovation and include it in the next COVID-19 relief package.

As a young Republican from Concord who cares deeply about climate change, as well as U.S. energy independence, I applaud our senators for speaking out on these issues.

North Carolina has an important role to play in developing and deploying clean energy. Its important that our elected officials continue to be outspoken on developing clean energy as North Carolina will benefit greatly from the increased jobs and economic activity it will bring.

Jacob Abel, Concord

On telemedicine and abortion pills

The writer is Reproductive Rights Coalition president.

Regarding “Doctors can’t virtually prescribe abortion pill in NC. Should COVID-19 change that?,” (Aug. 10)... The answer is yes. Mifepristone/Misoprostol is a very safe medication combination that has a safety record better than that of penicillin, Viagra or aspirin.

The suggestion by Tami Fitzgerald of N.C. Values Coalition that medication abortion may be unsafe is absurd. The patient could be referred to a local ultrasound center, if necessary, to confirm the length of the pregnancy.

Moreover, medication abortion has been safely used for second trimester abortions for years. In the exceedingly rare event of a complication, a patient could seek care at a local hospital.

In short, the ban on telemedicine abortion has no medical justification.

Brooke Adams, Charlotte

Awed by heroism Garcia displayed

Regarding “Woman killed after saving boy by pushing him out of the street,” (Aug. 15)

Thank God there are still unselfish people like Lydia Morales Garcia who pushed a boy out of harm’s way, giving her life in the process. How many of us are willing to give our lives without even thinking of ourselves? Thank you, reporter Joe Marusak, for showing us the heroic Hispanic woman who gave it all to save a life.

Maria De Mayo, Charlotte