NC Republican Party can - and should - do better than Madison Cawthorn

Madison Cawthorn

Madison Cawthorn, who lied about his acceptance to the Naval Academy, supported the overthrow of our government, and has never been lead sponsor on legislation to help N.C. citizens is now asking the 13th District to vote him into office. I think all residents of the 13th, not just Republicans, should be concerned. Republicans can do better, and should.

Daryl Solomonson, Troutman

Budget confusion

The writer is a teacher in Gaston County.

After examining the state budget and listening to news media sources, there is a problem I can’t seem to figure out. How much of a bonus are teachers actually getting through the new budget?

In less than 24 hours, I read the bill to say an “average 2.5% raise” a year for two years and a $300 bonus for each teacher, with qualifiers for other bonuses (huge insult). The state superintendent’s email says $2,800 for “most teachers” (respectable). The governor said $1,000 (mediocre). The News & Observer published $1,500 (getting there).

Which is it?

If the state is ever going to win back the trust of teachers (lost long ago), how about informing us with clear, concise information before it gets to the mass media?

Scott Yamanashi, Gastonia

Infrastructure

Regarding Steve Sack’s Nov. 15 editorial cartoon.

Democrats kept former President Trump’s hands tied with bogus impeachment trials, making certain he could not carry out his infrastructure plans, which were basically the same as the Democrats — which Republicans have now helped pass. I guess that is why Biden is smiling in Sacks’ cartoon.

Bill Herrington, Charlotte

Protesting parents

In “Classroom lessons (Nov. 14 Forum) the writer said correctly that we need students to spend more time learning the three Rs and less time on other things. So why aren’t these concerned parents demanding better pay for teachers instead of worrying about racial and gender equity? If we want better education, we need to treat our teachers like the valuable resource they are.

Gautam Bose, Charlotte

Speed cameras

I thank the N&O and Charlotte Observer for coverage of extreme speeding.

The Nov. 16 article quoted a state senator questioning whether speed cameras slow people down. They do. Research shows the cameras slow people down and reduce injury and fatal crashes. The Federal Highway Administration recently classified speed safety cameras as a “proven safety countermeasure” worthy of widespread implementation.

Reducing travel speeds and speeding is one of the most important things transportation agencies, elected officials, and the public can do to protect people traveling by foot, bike and vehicle.

Kristen Brookshire, Chapel Hill

‘Red Raiders’

Here’s a suggestion for a compromise solution to the South Point High School mascot controversy. Why not keep the name “Red Raiders” but change the mascot to that of the Army Air Force’s 22nd Bombardment Group “Red Raiders”? Their logo honored Erik the Red, a Norse explorer and father of Leif Erikson. My dad’s combat unit had Erik’s headshot wearing a Viking winged helmet.

South Point could keep the nickname without the Native American disparagement. I’m sure today’s Norwegians would not take offense.

Will Robin, Hickory

Santa or Biden?

Arriving in Hilton Head after dark and staring out at the Atlantic my eyes beheld an eerie site; a string of orangish lights stretching for miles on horizon. Aliens? Foreign Invaders? Unidentified Floating Objects? Morning brought an answer. It was a long line of container ships waiting to enter the Port of Savannah.

Time to call in the greatest supply chain guru of all time — Santa Claus. He’ll need to expand his elfdom to include longshoreman and truck drivers. Good luck finding those extra large elf suits though. They are stuck in cargo bin 12-25. And while “All hands are on deck” they are forced to twiddle their thumbs until Santa or President Biden work their magic. I’m betting on Santa!

Ken May, Charlotte