Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.20.15

Ex-Bush aide wrong choice for UNC

Besides the obvious political machinations and obfuscation of the process by Mr. Fennebresque and his allies, the fact remains that Margaret Spellings is woefully unqualified to lead the UNC campus system.

Ms. Spellings was one of the chief architects of former President George W. Bush’s failed policy of ‘No Child Left Behind’ that has burdened the educational system with needless testing while depleting precious resources. Why would our state embrace a failed leader?

Spellings’ disdain disqualifies her

Margaret Spellings has said that American universities are inefficient, unproductive, and incompetent, “living on the fumes of our reputation.” International comparisons of higher education, on the other hand, rate them as disproportionately excellent.

It's difficult to decide what’s more curious about the prospect that Spellings is in the running to be next president of the University of North Carolina system: the fact that her public statements demonstrate contempt for American higher education, or the fact that members of the Board of Governors perceive that contempt as promise.

Sad to see UNC Charlotte tower go

Establishing traditions at a young university is very hard. Removing the Belk Tower at UNC Charlotte, the central point of the campus for over 45 years, certainly seems to be a wrong way to go. The big question is why has the university failed to maintain this tower?

I love my university, but this should have been handled in a much better manner.

Rich get richer, poor get leftover crumbs

It should be no surprise that the wealthy get wealthier and the poor get poorer.

Who sets pay scales for workers? Management does and gets rewarded for keeping costs down and sales up. Who sets pay scales for management? Executives who use marketplace data to stay competitive for talent. Who sets pay scales for executives? Their buddies on the boards of directors.

The system is bent toward the results we have. Working poor get minimum wage, which is way below a living wage, while fired CEOs get tens of millions to just go away.

Why don’t we paint our lane markers?

Stop ignoring needs of senior citizens

As a senior citizen I am amazed at the treatment (or lack of) that we receive from our government. Whenever financial disaster is afoot the first suggestion is to cut Social Security. No one ever mentions cutting federal employees or reducing benefits to congressmen. We spend billions on illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, senior citizens are ignored. When the situation reaches the point where those elderly and helpless must make the choice between medication or food and shelter, something must be done.

Labor commissioner failing N.C. workers

There is no question that Cherie Berry is not upholding the responsibilities of her elected office. Employees are not the only ones she is hurting.

N.C. business advocates at every level, including the Chamber of Commerce and economic development organizations, should be at the top of the list of those wanting to stop this type of behavior.

Thanks for Hornets China coverage

Thank you for the excellent reporting and writing by Rick Bonnell on the Hornets’ China trip. Not only did we get the basketball sports report, we also received some wonderful writing on Michael Jordan’s popularity and the fan admiration for Jeremy Lin.

This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.20.15."