Even Ronald Reagan would call out Republicans like Cawthorn and Robinson

2 NC Republicans

Regarding “Madison Cawthorn and Mark Robinson are the new faces of the NC GOP. Are they its future?” (March 20):

If Congressman Madison Cawthorn and N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson are the future of the Republican Party, then democracy is doomed.

The purpose of the American two-party system is to present a thesis countered by an antithesis to eventually reach a synthesis. But one cannot have a legitimate debate about real issues when one party lives in an alternate reality. “Alternative facts” are lies.

Ronald Reagan may have proclaimed his 11th Commandment to not criticize fellow Republicans, but even he knew the difference between the fictional roles he played as an actor and his real life role as president.

Until Republicans get their whole party to embrace reality, democracy cannot function.

Martha Catt, Charlotte

Political noise

Mark Robinson and Madison Cawthorn are a new brand of Republican. How can that be? It was true when I was a child many years ago and is still so today: Empty barrels make the most noise.

Jay Brosnan, Mint Hill

Congress

Some Republicans continue to follow a man who praises a Russian president who invades a country because he can. They are mostly the same people who believe the Big Lie.

The latest Gallup poll puts the approval rating for Congress at 20%. The needs of local, regional, state, or even citizens across the nation are not being met. Everything is along party lines and neither side is willing to join the other side.

We need term limits in Congress. The problem is our leaders control that option so it won’t happen. “We the people” need to find a way around that, such as appealing directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hopefully, some lawyer or civic group will take this on to save us all.

Mike Shinder, Charlotte

US Supreme Court

Regarding “History-making Jackson set for Senate hearing for high court,” (March 21) and related articles:

I don’t care what color the skin is, or what the gender is, I care about the person’s record and stand on abortion, gun rights, parental control for their own children, and justice for all. I’m so tired of politics and everything being about race. We need a government that will uphold the U.S. Constitution and stay out of our lives and a Supreme Court that rules on the Constitution and doesn’t legislate.

Rita Rasmussen, Denver N.C.

Race theory

It has become apparent that one party has decided to use anti-critical race theory as its new bumper-sticker slogan, akin to Build That Wall.

So, should we not talk about the Birmingham church bombing, Greensboro Four, Edmund Pettus bridge, Wilmington coup, Emmett Till’s horrible murder, Tulsa massacre, slavery, red-lining, voter suppression, genocide of Native Americans, and more?

If we do not teach and learn from our history, especially the bad parts, we are destined to repeat them. Our history is one of imperfect people sometimes failing to live up to our ideals. We should know what, when and why things happened, especially if it is ugly.

Keith Wilson, Charlotte

Meck gun permit

In 1988, it took six months to receive a New York state concealed carry permit. In 2015, it took me three days to secure a permit in Alabama.

I completed the N.C. mandatory concealed carry course on June 13, 2021 and immediately filed with Mecklenburg’s sheriff for a permit. I received an appointment for November to complete paperwork and fingerprinting. At the appointment I was told it would take six more months. After carrying a concealed handgun for 34 years, l now had to rely on two permits from other states to allow me to legally conceal in North Carolina.

This is not a reasonable amount of time to have to wait for a background check. We pay for these permits and that money should be dedicated to issuing the permits in a reasonable amount of time — because a year is not reasonable.

Steven B. Jacobson, Charlotte