Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.22.16

GOP obstruction on court goes too far

A Democratic Senate did its job in 1988 when it considered and approved Ronald Reagan’s pick of Justice Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court.

The current Republican Congress has simply been far more partisan and obstructionist than anything even considered by Democrats.

The knee-jerk reaction to the current situation is simply one more step in the extreme right-wing direction of the Republican Party – where it’s all about maintaining their power, “we the people” be damned.

Chris Porier, Charlotte

Independents like me watching Senate

A large independent voting bloc will likely decide the presidential election. We are moderates who are not excited by Hillary or Bernie.

We will consider a GOP candidate not named Trump or Cruz.

However, if the GOP-run Senate refuses to consider any Supreme Court nominee out of hand and delays confirmation until the next president selects, then the moderates will speak loud and clear.

Bryan C. Adams, Charlotte

Pope, Reagan, walls and a poignant image

Just inside Mexico atop the platform memorializing border casualties, the image of Pope Francis blessing crowds last week separated by a fence topped with concertina wire was reminiscent of the challenge issued from West Germany by President Reagan: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Julie Gold wrote the haunting lyrics “from a distance, God is watching us.” I fear Pope Francis is right that God’s heart is broken by the current view.

Ed Hinson, Charlotte

Trump shouldn’t be Pope’s only target

Hey Pope Francis, you question Donald Trump’s Christianity because he wants to build a wall to protect our border from illegal immigrants.

Have you ever questioned Nancy Pelosi’s Christianity and all the other liberal members of Congress who profess to be devout Catholics who support abortion – murdering babies? I would like to know!

Tracy Strickland, Charlotte

Apple should comply with FBI request

In response to “For now, other tech giants aren’t joining Apple’s privacy fight” (Feb. 19):

Since 1789, law enforcement has been able to search and seize evidence so long as there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.

That’s what the FBI has done here.

Apple, not the FBI, should correct this, especially where the well-being of U.S. citizens is concerned.

Privacy is an ideal; sometimes we can’t have it both ways.

Rudy Nichols, Fort Mill, S.C.

Moynihan’s record doesn’t merit $16M

In response to “BofA’s Moynihan’s pay rises to $16M” (Feb. 16):

In theory, a corporate board of directors is to provide oversight so executive management acts in the shareholders’ interests.

The Bank of America board consistently proves this theory wrong in practice, as it enables crony capitalism at the expense of BofA’s shareholders.

Suggestions that CEO Brian Moynihan has performed well are ludicrous.

In 2014, a proposed stock buyback and dividend increase had to be suspended because BofA miscalculated its capital by $3.7 billion.

In 2015, the board promoted Moynihan to chairman, reversing a 2009 shareholder decision.

Now, the board grants Moynihan a 23 percent pay increase for 2015, when the bank’s shares lost about 6 percent. And in 2016, BofA shares are down about 29 percent.

Moynihan’s record of “creating shareholder value” is abysmal by any measure.

Robert F. Salvia, Charlotte

I-77 toll lanes plan is cronyism at its worst

In response to “I’m a Lake Norman resident, but think we need to keep the I-77 toll lanes” (Feb. 12 Opinion):

The writer is a WidenI77 volunteer.

Gov. Jim Martin, doesn’t it concern you at least a little that some politicians want this plan to go through no matter what?

Or that the toll lanes will not relieve congestion, but make it worse – and at four times the cost of building general purpose lanes that will actually relieve congestion?

No wonder when people hear about this scheme they want to know who is benefiting from it. Certainly not the taxpayers.

This toll project is corporate cronyism at its worst.

Gov. Pat McCrory, please do the right thing and cancel this contract – because an informed, organized electorate is a powerful thing and we are not going away.

Sharon Hudson, Davidson

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.22.16."