For a clue about 2024, Republicans might consider these Taylor Swift lyrics | Opinion

Taylor Swift

Republican consultant Matt Wylie opined in his Feb. 5 op-ed that “If Taylor Swift is the difference-maker in this election” maybe the problem is the the Republican message, tactics and vision. Bingo.

As Swift says in her song, Exile, “I think I’ve seen this film before and I didn’t like the ending.” This business of Republican operatives attacking her is a distraction from the issues, and worse, an implication that encouraging people to vote is subversive and shouldn’t be done by celebrities.

The Republican Party of 2024 intrudes into our bedrooms and schools, attacking personal choices of women and families. It is led by a former president who hatefully says that immigrants are poisoning our nation’s blood. Swift’s advice to “Shake it off” will translate into Republicans and independents voting for Democrats this time around.

Lawonna Daves, Charlotte

Biden, the border

Mitch McConnell and Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma were in favor of the bipartisan border package. Conservative Republicans like me were against giving President Biden money for Ukraine and Israel on his promise to address the border later. Let’s get the border shut down first and then give our allies money for their war efforts. Many of us just don’t trust our president on border issues. The GOP loses most of these bipartisan deals, and the RINOs’ famous saying is “We did the best we could.” Trump is the best fighter we have. Some of these Washington elites need to read his book, “The Art of the Deal.”

Jim Cherry, Charlotte

A blown deal

As an unaffiliated voter who has voted for Republican candidates over the years, it is mind-boggling that so many legislators, not just MAGA ones, but real politicians who want to get things done have allowed themselves to crawl down the rabbit hole of political foolishness and ineptitude that Trump leads supporters down. A decently crafted border bill, along with aid to our allies Ukraine and Israel, is blown. Self-serving politics has won. For now.

Philip Solomon, Charlotte

City ordinances

As a long-term resident of Fourth Ward, I do not support recriminalizing city ordinances around open containers of alcohol and public defecation. It is already a Class 3 misdemeanor to be drunk and disorderly. I would rather our City Council spend time and resources on public safety issues surrounding guns in our parks and providing services such as public restrooms and housing for our homeless population.

Soon, large corporations will come with their hands out for help with low occupancy rates in their office buildings. Before we dip into the public coffer to provide them with tax advantages, perhaps they should partner with Roof Above and OneMECK to subsidize building of public restrooms and better shelter for our most vulnerable citizens. These would be great places for naming rights.

Deb Park, Charlotte

Green space

The Observer’s Feb. 5 article about Charlotte’s office vacancy rates did not touch on one of the worst aspects of the Centene office debacle in the University City area. When construction began in 2020, two access points to the Mallard Creek Greenway were eliminated. A news release at the time stated that “improved” access to the greenway would be provided, and a massive concrete and composite elevated walkway from the complex to the greenway was eventually constructed, but this remains closed off to area residents use.

A vacant office building (and multi-level parking garage) has taken the place of acres of woodlands and green space. Our part of Charlotte is the poorer for it.

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

Dirty politics

Politics has become the nastiest business I’ve seen in my 75 years. Nikki Haley belittles Donald Trump’s age in ads instead of highlighting their policy differences, and N.C. congressional candidate Grey Mills shows President Biden tripping on steps, something I myself have done. I would still match my mental acuity against Mills’ any day of the week. Mills also wants to use military force against cartels located in other countries. Imagine how you would react if another country used military force against a perceived threat on our soil.

Thomas Strini, Spencer