Trump has proven beyond all doubt that he cannot lead. He should drop out of the race.

Trump must give up his bid for re-election

After all the hyperbole from Bob Woodward’s taped interviews with President Trump has been exhausted, we are left with a stark fact. The president of the United States knew how bad coronavirus could get, and made a willful decision to downplay it.

This is easily the worst peacetime crisis our nation has faced in recent memory — and the president made a willful decision to downplay its magnitude. And he did so in order to prevent panic? Words fail me.

In so doing, Trump has proven not just beyond reasonable doubt, but beyond all doubt, that he cannot lead.

There is only one way he can even begin to make this right. At a minimum, he must give up his bid for re-election.

Darrell Lucus, Charlotte

If only Trump had been truthful

How eerily fitting that Bob Woodward might take down a second president based on taped conversations.

President Trump knew of the potential impact to U.S. citizens on his watch in late January and downplayed it into April. And he basically still is!

We’re approaching 200,000 lost lives, with unfortunately many more to come and tens of thousands of infections, mostly asymptomatic, with who knows what lasting repercussions.

If only Trump had been truthful to the American people, one must believe we would be better off than we are now, with fewer deaths, fewer lost jobs, and an economy that wasn’t failing.

And my Republican friends still don’t care...

God help us.

Mike Shinder, Charlotte

On abortion, heed Graham’s words

If the Democrats gain control of the presidency and legislature, do you think God will bless an administration that condones abortion?

Evangelist Franklin Graham has warned “God cannot bless a nation that embraces the murder of innocent children” and expressed the importance of electing political leaders who will “stand up for the most vulnerable and voiceless among us.”

The unborn have rights and those rights need to be protected. They should never be denied the right to exist.

Ronald Stack, Leland

If you’re pro-life, Trump’s not your man

Regarding Justin Perry “What a pro-life president looks like,” (Sept. 8 Opinion):

Contributing columnist Justin Perry clearly spelled out the difference between being pro-mandatory birth and pro-life.

His column is a must read for those among us who think that President Trump is pro-life.

If being pro-life is your only reason for supporting this president, think again.

Perry shows why Trump’s actions over the past four years prove unequivocally that he is anything but pro-life, and, for that reason alone, is unworthy of the support of true pro-lifers.

Gene Kavadlo, Charlotte

NC GOP’s public school money drain

Regarding “NC lawmakers use pandemic to expand school choice,” (Sept. 9)

T. Keung Hui’s excellent article was another important reveal about the North Carolina Republican legislature’s continuing money drain that could certainly affect public school students’ constitutional right to a sound basic education.

Further, the Republican legislature went against the State Board of Education’s recommendation and allowed increased enrollment in North Carolina’s two under-performing virtual schools.

That’s an important reveal as well.

Doug Bennett, Charlotte

Cooper should let parents attend games

Regarding “NC governor’s office rejects bid to allow parents to attend UNC’s football opener,” (Sept. 10):

Gov. Roy Cooper needs to get some common sense and allow parents to attend UNC games. An exception needs to be made to allow the 400 or so parents the opportunity to see their kids play and experience a little joy in this messed up time we live in.

The stadium holds 50,000-plus so social distancing isn’t the issue. I challenge Cooper to man-up and do the right thing. Make smart decisions.

Charles Caudle, Charlotte

Don’t ban bills; encourage coin use

My 2 cents worth... I’ve seen numerous displays in stores stating “no coins” and “exact amount only.”

Rather than banning bills and coins, what businesses should be doing is accepting payment for small amounts (less than $2) in all coins and giving shoppers who do this a 25% discount.

That would not only help shoppers, but ease the coin shortage as well.

Stephen V. Gilmore, Charlotte