Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.11.16

Obama displayed integrity? Far from it

In response to David Brooks “I am a Republican, and I’m going to miss Obama” (Feb. 10 Opinion):

In what way can you say President Obama offered basic integrity?

Where were you when the Fast and Furious gun scandal happened, or when the IRS’ Lois Lerner lied and then took the Fifth only to be supported by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen?

Now, Hillary Clinton’s email scandal is being downplayed by Obama!

Where is all this integrity you speak of?

Peter J. Augusta, Charlotte

Democrats fueled Sanders’ revolution

In response to “Trump, Sanders wins jolt establishment” (Feb. 10):

The frustration with the Democratic Party is happening because, just like Republicans, they have been bought out by corporate money and are now beholden to business, rather than to the electorate.

Bernie Sanders is surging because he eschews this philosophy and appeals to a new generation turning its back on business as usual that seems only to benefit the wealthiest.

Maybe there is a revolution taking place, and it will make America a better country.

Alan Burns, Charlotte

Sanders socialist ideas are delusional

Republican candidate Donald Trump may have a few rough edges, but Democrat Bernie Sanders is delusional. Freebies for everybody, tax anything that moves, and add trillions to the national debt.

Bernie buys into a system that has failed in countries around the world.

To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher: The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.

Jim Cherry, Charlotte

Harris can’t impose his belief on others

In response “Marriage fight is worth the cost” (Feb. 9 Opinion):

Rev. Mark Harris repeats the same fallacious position of the religious right-wing.

It was not 61 percent of the electorate that voted for the marriage amendment; it was 61 percent of those who bothered to show up and vote, which was a very small number.

Approximately 21 percent of registered voters approved that unconstitutional amendment.

Second, no church is obligated in any legal way to marry same-sex couples. You can deny same-sex marriage within the confines of your church.

But that works the other way too – your beliefs cannot be imposed on those outside your church!

Michael L. Ham, Charlotte

LGBT ordinance will put city at risk

In response to “Leaders set vote on LGBT ordinance for Feb. 22” (Feb. 9):

Does the LGBT gender-neutral bathroom ordinance to be voted on by Charlotte City Council also include a corresponding cap increase for the City’s general liability insurance policy?

Rest assured that child molestation cases attributed to the new ordinance will test the insurance policy limits, as well they should.

One might also want to revisit that City Council absolute immunity provision as well.

William DeVore, Matthews

Cam Newton misses the larger truth

I get that Cam Newton doesn’t think others’ expectations of him should change his persona. It’s naive, but I understand.

There’s just one unfortunate truth he needs to recognize: He no longer represents only himself.

He represents his teammates, the Panthers’ name, Panthers’ fans, the city of Charlotte, and North and South Carolina.

When he accepts the salary he gets from the franchise, he accepts that responsibility as well.

He may not mind looking like a sore loser. Perhaps, though, we do.

B.J. Butler, Cornelius

We’re proud of you still, Cam

What says more about the measure of the man? The way he fumbled the post-game interview under impossible circumstances, or the gracious way he congratulated Peyton Manning post-game?

Let’s not forget the invention of the post-touchdown football giveaway to children.

We are proud of you still, Cam Newton, and look forward to next season when “we’ll be back!”

Laura Rogers, Charlotte

Be careful putting athletes on a pedestal

I enjoyed the Panthers’ season and Cam’s smile and antics.

There is another sportsman I have enjoyed, and they have something in common – being sore losers. That other sportsman is Tiger Woods.

Be careful of the pedestal we put them on because you will surely be disappointed.

Steve Lamb, Charlotte

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 8:47 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.11.16."