My Christian friends may vote for Trump, but here’s why he won’t be my pick

Why I won’t vote to reelect Trump

Unlike so many of my Christian friends, I cannot vote for President Trump for a second term. Frankly, every time he speaks, I cringe.

His words betray any ethical framework. I look for heart values. I heard more Christian-sourced values in the Democrat National Convention than from the president.

True, the “progressive” wing of the Democratic Party will bring increasing pressure against Christian values and institutions, but I cannot tolerate what Trump and the Republican Party are doing to woo Christians into the notion that the state is the primary source of enforcing biblical values and moral judgment.

It is largely up to the people who recognize God’s voice to live ethically and to express humbly what God has provided, and expects of those who cherish His name.

Stephen Lynip, Waxhaw

Berger, Forest aren’t what NC needs

Allegedly conservatives, N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest often sound more like tenured post-modernists. In one moment, they tell us, teachers are Leninist subversives; in the next, an essential refuge for our children.

Whether too ignorant or too cynical to suffer cognitive dissonance, Berger and Forest aren’t the leaders North Carolina needs.

Nicholas Holt, Charlotte

I get Cunningham’s vaccine hesitancy

In view of the recent hijacking of the trusted CDC by the Trump administration, I think Cal Cunningham’s hesitancy in taking a vaccine is understandable and commendable.

The president seems willing to put peoples’ lives at risk when it comes his interests.

If we can’t trust the CDC whose reports are manipulated by the White House, why would we put our lives at risk based on an “FDA approved” early vaccine after experts tell us it’ll be 2021 before we see a thoroughly-tested solution?

One would have to be a fool not to be hesitant. Glad to know Cunningham is no fool — and nobody’s fool.

With Sen. Thom Tillis not wearing a mask, not practicing social distancing at the Trump RNC speech, it’s hypocritical for him to call Cunningham “irresponsible.”

Martin Lindsay, Brevard

It’s time say a prayer for the GOP

In the span of three days, North Carolinians witnessed the following:

▪ CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield testified before Congress that a mask may provide more protection against coronavirus than a vaccine.

▪ Donald Trump suggested he is following the advice of waiters, not the CDC, in opposing the efficacy of masks.

▪ Lt. Gov. Dan Forest promised that, if elected governor, he would lift the mask mandate and allow individual freedom in whether we live or die.

▪ Sen. Phil Berger was pictured standing between two women who had on masks while he petulantly stared, mask in hand.

Cannot each of us pause, if only for a moment, and ask the almighty to save and protect the Republican leadership from itself?

Bill Sitton, Charlotte

Pick a real, ethical conservative

Regarding “What I’d tell that conservative teen,” (Sept. 18 Forum):

Please, don’t use Donald Trump as an example of a conservative who has a “good job and a wife.” There are huge numbers of real conservatives who are ethical people, and who have good jobs and a wife. Donald Trump is not one of them.

Mark Selleck, Waxhaw

I have confidence in NC ballot system

My recent experience ordering an absentee ballot by mail left me confident that the system does actually work. Here’s the story: I mailed in a request for my ballot in late August, along with my husband’s. When his came, and mine didn’t I suspected a problem, either with the post office or election office. A few days later, however, I received a letter explaining that I had forgotten to put my birth date on the application. Problem solved.

I’ve since resubmitted my request for a ballot online. The takeaway: No one should be discouraged from voting by mail because it seems difficult or unsafe. Furthermore, now you can track the progress of your ballot through the N.C. BallotTrax website.

So vote away — and do a happy dance!

Mary Love, Charlotte

From Tar Heel state, to ‘Trash State’

I completely concur with “Disturbed by what I saw on I-485,” (Sept. 16 Forum).

To strongly address this litter problem I would like to include the ongoing dumping grounds along our other streets and highways. Littering is an attack on this once beautiful part of the country and should be addressed by levying steep fines on every polluter.

I believe these fines could fund a much needed cleanup. The Tar Heel State has become the “Trash State” and we turn our heads.

Frank Harrington, Charlotte