Ted Budd is wrong about NC values, today’s young people | Opinion

Sen. Ted Budd

Regarding “Budd breaks silence with Senate speech on NC values,” (May 18):

Sen. Ted Budd does not speak for North Carolina values. Having attended a graduation at UNC-Chapel Hill earlier this month, I can assure Budd that our younger generation is not being indoctrinated with a sense of “victimhood,” as he says. They want to work to make this country better.

Like many in his party, Budd promotes lies about who won the last presidential election, supports a government that takes away freedoms from women to make their own decisions about their health care, and protects weapons that are killing our kids and grandkids. Budd’s words are meaningless, until he earns respect like his predecessors did.

Daryl Solomonson, Troutman

Controlling women

It’s obvious the Republicans who supported North Carolina’s abortion ban on May 16, did not read the Washington Post article that same day about abortion bans triggering serious health complications.

Nor did they listen to the hundreds of doctors and health-care workers who told them their bill would only hurt women.

They didn’t listen to women. Instead, they were focused on making women jump through hoops to access care all in the name of “life.”

Yet these same Republicans voted to loosen gun laws, even though guns are the leading cause of death of actual living breathing children.

Maybe I’m naive, but it seems to me Republicans are more interested in controlling women’s decisions rather than being concerned about “life.”

Laura Reich, Charlotte

Defending Cotham

Yes, Tricia Cotham changed parties. No, she should not be ashamed as The Observer’s May 18 editorial stated.

I am an unaffiliated voter because “Thank God” we live in a country that allows the freedom to change political parties if so desired.

Cotham has right to change parties and not to want abortions (except in certain circumstances) to be extended beyond 12 weeks. Where do we draw the line when it comes to a baby’s life? Cotham has served Charlotte very well for years, even if she did change parties.

Barbara Bell Kerr, Charlotte

A terrible example

I supported Rep. Patricia Cotham because for years she supported the right to safe abortions. Then, she stabbed voters in the back by switching parties and reneging on campaign promises. She has endangered the lives of many N.C. women. She’s infamous now — a terrible example for young women on how to lie in a campaign and then sell your soul to the devil.

Mary Murchison, Charlotte

NC school funding

I am ashamed of the N.C. General Assembly. Public schools are not failing; collectively, we are failing our children.

If you took all the children out of a “failing school” and sent them to a “successful” school, guess what? That school would be failing, too. Children are entering public schools with health deficits, food insecurity, housing instability, and from drug/crime-ridden environments, etc. Did your child start school with those burdens?

Public schools are doing a tremendous job of helping students make up for some of these deficits, but it’s not enough. These students are still not proficient — there is too much ground to make up. Schools should not be judged primarily on proficiency. Schools cannot make up for all of society’s ills. Public schools are woefully underfunded and students need more services.

Cheryl Milam, Concord

Gun laws

I am a mother of three in Gaston County. The number of families torn apart by gun violence just this year is mind boggling. I almost want to ignore it or grow numb to protect my sanity, but I refuse to remain silent. I urge my U.S. senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, to vote for universal background checks as a nationwide standard. I demand that they do not remain silent. Nobody is immune to the reign of terror guns have in our country. Not even my elected officials.

Caroline Ross, Mount Holly

The debt

As the debt ceiling draws near our fearless leaders cannot seem to quit bickering. They are holding the nation hostage and risking the economy for partisan legislative demands.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hopes for spending limits that will undoubtedly throw some of America’s most vulnerable citizens deeper into poverty and food insecurity.

Reducing the pay for members of Congress to $35,392 would save the taxpayer $74.2 million a year, a tiny fraction of the deficit but a promising gesture towards a shared goal.

Our lawmakers ran the government on a deficit since 2002, gave themselves several pay raises, and had 10 election cycles to share the financial burden of spending cuts with constituents.

The American people deserve lawmakers who are willing to walk alongside them to decrease the nation’s debt. But it feels as if Congress has one suggestion for the American public: “Let them eat cake!”

Bek Hartman, Boone