For homeless people like me the barriers to renting seem insurmountable

Finding housing

People ask, Why are there so many homeless people? I know why. I am homeless and the qualifications to rent are crazy.

Some landlords want your income to be three times your rent. For example: Rent is $800 a month and 800 x 3 equals $2,400. So now you have to get two or three jobs to meet that, especially if you are single.

Try looking for a place to rent and see all the nonsense they are asking for — plus, application fees that are nonrefundable. It’s not right.

Wendy Morgan, Concord

GOP blame

I literally dread opening emails from U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry and Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis each week and reading how they slam the Democrats. While this may score points with their Republican base, it is annoying and rude to the Democrats, left-leaning independents and any reasonable person who can clearly see through this partisan BS.

The inflation we are experiencing is not being caused by reckless Democrats and no, Republicans are not the only ones who care or are trying to do something about it.

Republicans should try reaching across the aisle, making an effort to solve problems collaboratively. We are all Americans and are all supposed to be on the same team. I am sick of people like McHenry, Burr and Tillis weakening our country with their partisan jabs.

Julie Crandall, Mooresville

Nursing homes

Regarding “Staffing shortages endanger NC nursing home residents,” (March 27-29):

Since 2005, I have volunteered weekly at a Charlotte nursing home. Since the start of the pandemic and even now, volunteers at this and other nursing facilities have been barred from visiting. With such worker shortages, perhaps doors should re-open to those who freely want to serve the elderly of our city.

Elizabeth Nervegna, Midland

Jan. 6 Commission

Kevin Seirs’ March 30 cartoon reminded me there is an “investigation” going on about the Capitol break-in. What is lost in this investigating is the lack of credibility of the panel. Only two Republicans are on it. However, they are not the two the Republican Party submitted for the panel. Nancy Pelosi handpicked the two “Republicans” herself. In effect, what you have is a kangaroo court with no interest in evaluating the facts but only reaching a predetermined outcome. This is a farce of the highest order.

Bill Wallace, Charlotte

A jolting reminder

Aleta Payne’s claim that “charity is not justice” deserves underlining in all caps. (March 29 Opinion)

The fact that one characteristic that non-Christians observe in Christians is hypocrisy demands a wake up call. Handing a dollar to a person in need at a busy intersection does not equate to uncovering and attending to the root causes of poverty.

We must move from easy charitable gifting or simply serving on a committee to becoming uncomfortable with our complacent comfort. We must be insistent in loving those different from us, working on the root cause of injustice, and actively advocating systemic change.

This is call to a jolting transformation. A call to a more authentic definition of Christianity, of which we need to be reminded.

Dan Busch, Charlotte

Biden’s economy

The Federal Reserve has voted to raise the Fed funds rate, which will assist in slowing our record 40-year high inflation rate. However, we must not ignore the irresponsible macroeconomic policy of President Biden’s fiscal package during 2021 that contributed to an increase in the price level.

While the Federal Reserve can offset overzealous fiscal policy, it makes the Fed’s job more challenging because it requires a more hawkish monetary policy that could significantly lower economic output and increases unemployment. The American Rescue Plan is another example of the Keynesian playbook failing as a tool for macroeconomic stability.

Gabriel Russ, Lincolnton

Biden and Putin

You may not like what President Biden says about Putin, but I believe he is speaking the unvarnished truth. I think people should once again read “The Emperor’s New Clothes“ by Hans Christian Andersen.

Andy Kearney, Rock Hill