Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.07.16

Why fewer in N.C. choose to teach

It should be no surprise that the number of people choosing a career in education has decreased.

Since Gov. Jim Hunt left office, teachers have frequently gotten no raises or minuscule ones.

They have been given less flexibility as to how to deliver instruction and are asked to reach ever-changing accountability measures.

If you were a parent of a college-bound student, would you encourage your son or daughter to choose education as a career?

Can’t view degrees through blinders

Imagine our nation in 50 years if we invest solely in the STEM and business degrees that Forum writer George Burnett deems useful.

No one trained to preserve or interpret our history, no one to teach foreign language in this global society. A void of cultural understanding when cultures intertwine more closely than ever.

And psychology, a waste? Our country’s struggle with mental health has no end in sight.

Our progress into the future will be cut short if we don’t also continue to learn about humans.

Panthers deserve a parade regardless

I was very disappointed to hear there are contingency plans to have a parade downtown for the Panthers if they win.

From where I sit, ACA isn’t working

Health care should be affordable to all.

Our premiums have risen steadily; we are at $1,300 a month for a healthy family of four! That isn’t affordable.

While I’m very happy that Forum writer Flora Jean Busby and many others can afford insurance – including the employees I provide it for at my small business – isn’t there a way to do it without robbing us monthly?

We are weighing our options and trying to decide if it’s even worth having at this point.

For the many like us who do not qualify for ACA subsidies, it is an absolute nightmare with no end in sight.

Elect an adult in 2016, like Rubio

I agree with Kevin Siers’ cartoon depicting Donald Trump as an immature, whining bully.

We already have a petulant, arrogant, thin-skinned president who cannot accept criticism without striking back.

Let’s elect an adult this time – like Marco Rubio.

Young Sanders fans have much to learn

Most young voters who rally around Bernie Sanders do so for one primary reason: it is easy!

Most of their political education is based upon vitriol from teachers and professors who live in a liberal bubble separate from the corporate world where most of us live and work. They don’t educate themselves on how our economy and government actually operate, nor about the Constitution it is based upon.

America is the greatest country in the world. I hope they will research what got us there and vote to keep it that way.

Give Confederate soldiers their due

Confederate soldiers have gotten some bad press of late.

As a Vietnam vet who had the honor 50 years ago to serve with U.S. Marine brothers I call heroes, it was my observation then, as it is now regarding critics of Confederate soldiers, that those who denigrate Americans who’ve worn the uniform of their country in whatever time and place are themselves nothing more than cowards.

The majority never wore the uniform and would run like a scared rabbit at the first crack of a rifle in their country’s defense.

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.07.16."