Expiring benefits in Farm Bill will worsen hunger in North Carolina | Opinion

The expiration of SNAP benefits, a food assistance program, in the Farm Bill threatens to worsen the hunger crisis in Charlotte, particularly for low-income families and communities of color.

Although a recent bill extension provided temporary relief, millions of Americans will face food insecurity without a permanent solution.

SNAP is vital for over 40 million people, including children, the elderly and disabled individuals. Its expiration will leave many unable to afford basic necessities.

SNAP has effectively reduced hunger and boosted local economies. I urge our community to contact our Congress members to advocate for passing SNAP benefits in the new Farm Bill.

Mustapha Mahmud, Charlotte

Come clean, Harris

With the US elections around the corner, I am surprised why the polls remain tight. The contest must have been over when Vice President Harris uttered the words that her presidency will not be a continuation of the Biden presidency.

For all I know, we are living in the Biden-Harris administration and for the vice president to try to distance herself from the Biden administration is like trying to run away from her shadow.

My advice to the vice president is for her to come clean with the American people. She claims to represent the future. To represent the future one must take responsibility for their actions. The economic mess we are in today in America is a Biden-Harris mess.

Denford Madenyika, Charlotte

With friends like these

We hear what Donald Trump says in ads and rallies, but we don’t know who he really is. It is striking, though, how many people who do know him personally are opposed to his election.

Republicans who oppose Trump’s re-election include his former Vice President Mike Pence, five former cabinet members, including former defense and homeland security secretaries, a former chief of staff and two former security advisors, and several other former White House officials.

Even Republican and former Vice President Dick Cheney is voting for Kamala Harris!

Scott Paxon, Asheville

Existential threat

What one issue should matter to every voter? How about the ability to safely exist? What could threaten our existence, destroy our family or town? It’s not the economy, abortion or transgender people. The existential threat that nearly every scientist agrees on is human-made climate change.

In North Carolina, that includes homes being swallowed by the sea on our coast and towns being wiped away by the floods in our mountains. One presidential candidate agrees with the scientists. The other candidate calls climate change a “hoax.”

With record heat, floods, wildfires, etc worsening, few issues will unavoidably affect our children with more tragedy. Keep it simple this election. Vote for existence.

Mark Taylor, Charlotte

Lawn service safety

Now that political chaos is subsiding, perhaps we can focus on real life issues. We all love our hard working and dedicated lawn service personnel, but they do create a safety issue in narrow suburban streets.

Perhaps a city-wide ordinance requiring all trucks and trailers to keep their flashers on while parked and place large safety cones in front and behind their equipment. This inexpensive recommendation will make our streets much safer.

Ed Carlson, Charlotte

Protect democracy

Anyone skipping this year’s election because you don’t like either candidate should remember that voting isn’t marriage, and it’s not a taxi. Voting is public transportation.

You don’t need to hold out for a candidate you love. You choose the one that’s going to get you closest to where you want to be in four years. You don’t blow off your next class or appointment because you can’t find a bus that will drop you off at the door of your destination. You take the bus that will get you nearest.

Protect our democracy. There is still time. Get out and vote for your future.

Suzanne Villar, Huntersville