Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 09.28.15

Shutdown will kill hopes of GOP win

In response to “Government shutdown would have wide effect” (Sept. 24):

OK, Republicans. Go ahead and shut down the government and watch the EBT cards start to fail.

The EBT card is today what the bread lines were to the Great Depression. Millions of people are dependent upon them.

When the payments stop Oct. 1, there are not enough private charities to fill the gap. Who is going to be blamed for that? The Republicans, of course.

And what, exactly, does that do to the chances of a GOP White House win?

When it comes to stabbing themselves in the foot, none are better at it than the Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate.

Ronald McCraw, Salisbury

Sharia law at heart of Carson matter

In response to “Carson: Muslim shouldn’t be elected president” (Sept. 21) and related articles:

In relation to Ben Carson’s comments, I am so disappointed by the media’s failure – Charlotte Observer, I’m looking at you – to address the differences between Sharia law and democracy – and Sharia law’s discriminatory treatment of women.

If a committed Muslim can pick and choose how much of Sharia law to follow and uphold, there is no problem.

If not, the media which was so critical of Dr. Carson has let us down.

Ben W. Latimer, Charlotte

Voters can apply own religious test

Article 6 paragraph 3 of the U.S. Constitution says that there shall be no religious test to hold federal elected office in the United States.

So we, the people, must not require a person to be an adherent of a certain religion.

On the other hand, there is nothing prohibiting a person from applying their own religious test, or any other test, when they go to vote.

That’s not discrimination, it’s discriminating.

Bob Buch, Concord

Pope’s U.S. political impact will be limited

In response to “Pope calls for ‘renewal of spirit of cooperation’ before divided Congress” (Sept. 24 Charlotte Observer.com):

Pope Francis’ goals come across as very compassionate and sane, and his efforts to involve the Catholic Church in issues of the modern era have been quite successful.

But is Francis, as a religious leader, going to act as a catalyst for political change in a country where church and state are distinctly separate and Catholics make up less than a quarter of the American populace?

As a theologian, as an inspiration, Francis will undoubtedly have some degree of success in America.

But especially in America, the political changes brought about because of Francis’ papacy may be few and far between.

Daniel DeHority, Charlotte

Focus instead on big hospital bonuses

In response to “Patient load, complaints strain hospital’s staffers” (Sept. 22):

Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast president Phyllis Wingate had to walk back her controversial – and unprofessional – comments telling staff they were “not doing (their) best.”

Apparently, Ms. Wingate directed her words to the employees who are actually working under-staffed, instead of at CHS CEO Michael Tarwater who is all too anxious to cut headcount to save money, but not his or his executive staff’s excessive bonuses.

Floyd Prophet, Kannapolis

Trump has no real plan, don’t elect him

I implore supporters of Donald Trump to abandon the notion of electing him.

We do not need another smack-talking seventh grader in the White House.

Low information voters on the left already elected one in 2008 and 2012. Low information voters on the right must not do the same.

There are several far more qualified Republican candidates who will lead and represent our nation with dignity and honor.

President Obama has brought the country to its knees. Trump will deliver the knock-out blow.

Catherine Stout, Indian Trail

Here we go again with the liberal hysteria

As a former Volkswagen owner I have no love for VW’s reliability or poor customer service.

However, I get a kick out of the Obama crowd already screaming and looking for cash because of some little 2-liter diesels, while many of them run around in their guzzling V8 trucks and SUVs while tossing K-cups and empty water bottles into our landfills.

Nicholas Pasquine, Lancaster, S.C.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 09.28.15."