Student loans: Don’t forgive them. It’s an insult to responsible Americans.

Loan forgiveness

Regarding “Congress needs to ease the pain of student loans,” (April 19 Opinion):

The fantasy that our federal government should just write off or forgive student loan debts condones an undeserved handout of the worst order. It corrodes the sense of personal responsibility in our country and society.

Even worse, how fair would forgiving billions or trillions of dollars in student loan debt be to the millions of honest and hard-working Americans who helped out their families to pay their way through college, and who faithfully paid back every single dime of loan obligations to their lenders? It is an insult to those responsible and decent Americans.

Curtis Elliott, Charlotte

Meredith College

There is no denying that James Yadkin Joyner had an accomplished career, but the decision by Meredith College to remove his name is more to atone for his missteps.

The April 12 op-ed, “In removing names, NC colleges like Meredith are making a rush judgment,” argues that judging people outside the context of their times distorts reality. However, society must use the knowledge gained overtime to compensate for past mistakes.

As a college student, I’ve experienced how important it is to feel accepted at your university. Joyner’s outdated beliefs about women and African American students don’t align with Meredith’s views, and by removing his name the school isn’t only making its stance clear, it is advocating for its students.

It’s not a rush judgment, it’s a necessary one.

Emma Ralls, High Point

Charter schools

The writer is a former Charlotte mayor and charter school co-founder who has litigated cases on behalf of charter schools.

Regarding “Proposed changes for charter schools will help NC’s traditional public schools, (April 14 Opinion):

Associate Opinion Editor Ned Barnett posits that it’s a good idea to require that local public school systems “consent” before new charter schools are permitted to operate in their districts. Sure, just like asking local newspapers if we should permit new TV stations to operate in their communities (or existing law firms whether new lawyers may be licensed to compete with them). Better yet, like asking foxes to guard hen houses.

Richard A. Vinroot, Charlotte

Uniter or divider?

In a TV campaign ad Pat McCrory says there’s a lot of “crap” in politics. That’s true and most, not all, is coming from Republicans. I’ve not seen nor heard Republican policies to solve climate change, healthcare issues like insurance for all and pharmaceutical prices, or the increase in gun violence.

I want to elect people who’ll work to solve problems, not simply stand on some divisive policy issue to the point of obstruction. We have serious problems as a nation that need solving by cooperation, not grandstanding.

Will your vote support a uniter or a divider?

Kent Rhodes, Charlotte

Individual rights?

I find it incredibly hypocritical that conservatives find mask mandates a violation of individual rights while they pass laws in some states that require a 14-year-old girl who has been raped to have the rapist’s child. What is wrong with this society?

Jack Hankins, Charlotte

Panthers’ HQ

Regarding “Panthers end agreement with Rock Hill over practice facility,” (April 20):

The Panthers headquarters debacle in Rock Hill should be an indictment of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and its business practices. We are seeing the results of a local government that offered the best it could for this organization only to be pushed toward issuing bonds it knew it could not afford. I applaud Rock Hill leaders for being faithful to constituents, rather than the whims of a billionaire whose appetite for the largess of public coffers seems to know no end.

Tom Pontecorvo, Charlotte

Heed lessons

The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and State of North Carolina should take lessons from what’s going on in Rock Hill with the Panthers headquarters. These groups need to learn from this so that they can negotiate when Panthers’ owner David Tepper comes-a-calling for a new stadium.

Bill Lane, Polkville