Lt. Gov. Robinson is bullying others and playing the victim

Mark Robinson

I have to wonder if Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson cares about kids. His recent comments actively hurt kids, including mine.

He’s wrong to claim he speaks for N.C. parents. He absolutely does not.

He is not being “bullied.” He is receiving valid criticism for his hurtful, ignorant remarks.

I realize it has become common in politics to bully others while playing the victim, but history will not look kindly on this behavior. Robinson is using the old playbook of demonizing a vulnerable group of people to further his political career. He’s keeping some very ugly company.

My kids have enough knowledge and support to know that his comments reflect poorly on him, not them. It’s the kids without strong support or good information that I worry about.

Beth Sliauzis, Waxhaw

Redistricting

Regarding “NC 2021 redistricting: maps, timelines and politics,” (Oct. 9):

Two draft Congressional maps prepared by N.C. state Senate Republicans divide Mecklenburg and Wake Counties into three or four different districts. All their work is done substantially behind closed doors, with little opportunity for public input. Divide and conquer seems to be their sole criterion.

Jonathan Heaslet, Charlotte

Medicaid

In opening remarks for the 2021 legislative session, N.C. Speaker Tim Moore said, “Above all, we are committed to a system of government that represents justice for all North Carolinians.”

Medicaid expansion is healthcare justice.

Now that Senate leader Phil Berger has signaled a willingness to consider Medicaid expansion, perhaps there’s hope that North Carolina will join the enlightened 38 states that have done so.

Contrary to Berger’s regular rhetoric, Medicaid expansion is not bad policy, and we can afford it. It’s actually great policy, using mainly federal dollars to improve the health of hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. Almost every state that has done it has seen net economic benefit. There’s no need to tie expansion to any corporate tax cuts. That’s just an excuse for those cuts.

Dr. George Bohmfalk, Charlotte

Phil Berger Jr.

Regarding “Forcing 2 Republican NC justices to recuse themselves would be a power grab by Dems,” (Oct. 13 Opinion):

Op-ed writer Donald Bryson believes the average citizen can’t think clearly about what appears to be a situation that many people believe calls for N.C. Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. to voluntarily recuse himself.

We’re not talking about “forcing” him to recuse himself, but we are talking about a situation that opens the door for someone to possibly be influenced by a powerful family member’s public position supporting a case coming before the N.C. Supreme Court.

Historically, even the appearance of influence would suggest the step that should be taken by the justice. If the GOP-controlled legislature hadn’t forced Supreme Court justice candidates to have their party listed on the ballot, perhaps people would have more trust in the idea that the election of justices was nonpartisan, as it should be.

Mark Selleck, Waxhaw

Fraud bandwagon

Kudos to the editorial board for calling out the N.C. Republican legislators who are jumping on the fake “election integrity“ bandwagon. It seems all Republicans in every state including ours have to pledge fealty to the Former Guy which includes spreading voter disinformation. This is killing our democracy in every sense, and yet the Republican Party doesn’t care. They would rather follow a man who clearly only cares about himself, not the country and certainly not them in the quest for power. We cannot have only one of two political parties who believe in democracy. It won’t work.

Laura Reich, Matthews

Suspended licenses

Regarding “Too many in NC have lost the right to drive. Change the law,” (Oct. 11 Opinion)... Stop signs and speed limits are not suggested. They are set to protect all. How about following the rules, and then tickets that cause driver’s license suspensions would be eliminated.

Bill Reames, Charlotte