Canceling student loan debt is just bad policy

Student loans

Regarding “Biden taking ‘hard look’ at student loan forgiveness,” (April 29) and related articles:

Reports suggest that President Biden is considering canceling student debt. Large cancellation of student debt is inflationary, regressive, and not targeted.

According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, complete student debt cancellation would cost $1.6 trillion. Most of the benefits would go to top income earners, such as doctors and lawyers, acting as “tax cuts for the rich” for those with enormous student debt, not low-income families.

Cancellation would also increase inflationary pressures by acting like a tax cut and increasing aggregate demand because individuals will demand more goods and services.

Conservative concerns about personal responsibility are faulty; student debt cancellation is just a bad policy.

Gabriel Russ, Lincolnton

CMS board

The writer is a past board member of Mountain Island Charter School.

A suggestion: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board itself needs to be held accountable for putting Earnest Winston into a job for which he had virtually no qualifications. There was no job search and they somehow managed to get the state to waive its requirements for the superintendent’s position so they could get Winston into that job. From the very beginning, he was over his head. The school board was at fault and let CMS down.

Tom Blomquist, Charlotte

CMS leadership

It has been proven in other areas that the superintendent of schools does not have to be a former teacher to be successful — rather a very good manager and administrator, similar to a successful business manager with the ability to plan, organize, execute and control.

CMS should look for a strong leader like Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio. She’s a very strong manager and administrator, hands down.

Furthermore, maybe the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board needs to be overhauled as well. It seems to me they have spent and wasted a tremendous amount of taxpayer money needlessly over the years.

C.C. Ryder, Charlotte

Madison Cawthorn

Regarding “Rep. Madison Cawthorn found with a loaded gun at Charlotte airport, police say,” (April 27):

Congressman Madison Cawthorn is just out to get his name in the papers to try to stay relevant. It’s hard to believe this guy is an elected official of our state. He is either ignorant of the laws or simply ignoring the laws. Given the fact that he already had to surrender a firearm last year at the Asheville airport it’s seems to be the latter. Either way, he needs to get into another line of work — preferably doing something our taxes aren’t subsidizing.

Philip Solomon, Charlotte

Too much publicity

Haven’t we all heard enough of Madison Cawthorn’s antics and culture war publicity stunts. In the unlikely event he should actually accomplish something or have something serious to say about governing, policy or serving the needs of his constituents, that indeed would be news and worth a front-page mention.

Until then, please charge him an advertising fee before printing more about Cawthorn and his stunts.

Dave Lank, Charlotte

Political celebs

Regarding “There’s a rise in political celebrities. Weed them out in the primary” (April 25 Opinion):

Some media outlets focus on soundbites and clips conveniently scripted by politicians to promote clicks, likes and campaign donations. The pubic, eager for bumper-sticker outtakes, watches, reads, clicks and reposts.

Instead of covering these staged antics, let’s focus on politician’s actions. For incumbents we should focus on how many days were spent on the floor, how many town halls, their voting record, what bills did they sponsor, and did bills that passed improve the lives of their constituents.

For newcomers, focus on a common resume that can be compared across candidates — relevant experience, education, etc.

Let’s focus on facts, not facades.

Lee Fluke, Charlotte

The NC GOP

As a North Carolina Democrat I fear for the current state of our fellow party, the N.C. Republican Party, it’s leaders and members. They sincerely believe they are doing God’s work, but some of them call their opponents within the party RINOs — Republicans in name only. Such a designation does not include all the hardworking, God-fearing people in the party. Perhaps they will see the light and change their attitude toward these Republicans who also defend the republic, equality, liberty and justice for all.

I do not know the solution, but I believe it begins with prayer.

James Rogerson, Charlotte

Ukraine funding

I have submitted letters to the White House and my senator asking about the money being used for Ukraine. I want to know where it is coming from, but so far no one will give me an answer. Why not? I guess it will be paid for by future generations.

Diane Theriault, Charlotte

Needed uplift

Kathleen Parker’s April 28 op-ed regarding the young man from the car rental agency lifted my soul. We are bombarded daily with bad news, often filled with hate and disrespect for other people. Her piece reminded me there are many wonderful, helpful and smiling people in this world and we are blessed if they happen to be part of our day.

Betsy Leonard, Charlotte

This story was originally published May 1, 2022 at 4:30 AM.