Why Johnston County was right to put limits on how race is taught

Teaching CRT

Regarding “Johnston County school showdown is blackmail with a $7.9 million price tag,” (Oct. 7 Editorial):

Isn’t teaching critical race theory putting politics in the classroom by emphasizing race and power over the values Americans have fought and died for since the nation’s founding? Yes, students should be taught about the effects of racism and the flaws of our leaders, but to make that the basis for understanding the country’s beginnings and direction is misleading and sounds politically-driven.

Phil Clutts, Harrisburg

A ‘leftish’ view

The Oct. 7 editorial criticized the Johnston County Board of Commissioners for slow-walking their payment of almost $8 million to the school board — concluding that, “Their only job is to bankroll it, no strings attached.” That simplistic conclusion speaks volumes about the Observer’s “leftish” view of government generally, and I would be ashamed of saying it. You should be.

Richard A. Vinroot, Charlotte

Olympic High

Regarding “Olympic High suspension of volleyball players was tone deaf,” (Oct. 7):

Bless Scott Fowler for his commentary regarding the injustice of two volleyball players from Olympic High being suspended for participating in a walkout as a protest to the fact that a football player who has been criminally charged for sexual assault was allowed to play in a football game — and credit to the Observer for putting it on the front page where more readers will see it.

It is a sad situation when our children have to demonstrate to adults what the right course of action should be.

Donald T. Meyer, Denver

Buying lies

As Congress battles over President Biden’s agenda, Republicans and a few conservative Democrats express concern over the impact on the debt, yet argue against raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations to mitigate that impact. Conservatives claim that raising taxes discourages investment by corporations and individuals.

According to the Federal Reserve, from 1946 through 1963, when the highest marginal individual tax rate was over 90% and the corporate tax rate was 50%, capital expenditures increased 8% annually, far higher than the 5.5%, 1.1% and 3.5% after the Reagan, Bush and Trump tax cuts respectively.

Why do so many people insist on blindly buying the lies that politicians tell when the facts are readily available and clear as day?

Thomas J. Strini, Spencer

Biden’s plan

The media is doing Americans a disservice by focusing on the 10-year price tag of President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, rather than reporting on the benefits it will fund.

Critical infrastructure, climate change, natural disaster prevention and family support programs are being buried by simplistic coverage on overall costs.

This registered Republican voter strongly supports the Biden plan. We had four years of the Trump administration doing little for our nation’s future. It’s past time to make a change.

I hope Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are listening.

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

Nobody listens

Our forefathers listened in-person as others debated. Today, members of Congress don’t listen to the other side. Listening on a speaker or to a recording later isn’t the same. We can’t understand or compromise if we don’t give our full attention to the other side’s words.

Citizens have also gotten to the point where if the other party is talking, we don’t listen. We only criticize.

Both parties have great ideas, and compromising makes them better. The words we speak prove what’s in our heart. Let’s hold our members of Congress accountable for the words they use and their actions on Capitol Hill.

Buddy Lemmons, Charlotte

Abortion

We can send men to the moon, and we still can’t settle the abortion issue. It just doesn’t make sense. Women’s needs for an abortion have not changed. Yet, the struggle goes on. How many more years and marches will it take for women to have their personal choice about abortion not be subject to a court decision or religious institution?

Lorraine Stark, Matthews

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 4:47 PM.