Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.13.16
Pit bulls dangerous, make them illegal
In response to “Family: Young boy hospitalized after being attacked by neighbor’s pit bull” (April 12):
Another attack by a pit bull dog. A mother was killed recently, and now a child attacked.
Why are these dogs not illegal to possess like some other animals?
They are unpredictable and this needs to stop!
Steve Lamb, Charlotte
Expect job losses with wage hike
In response to “Give higher wages a chance to work” (April 11 Forum):
Forum writer Michelle Hargett made the case that losing 500,000 jobs, although not ideal, is acceptable if 16.5 million workers are better off with a higher wage.
The unintended consequence of raising the minimum wage is that pressure is then applied to raise wages at levels just above the minimum as well. Consistent with the Congressional Budget Office report, more job losses.
Lost in the discussion is that the minimum wage was never intended to be a “living wage” but an entry level point for all to start upward mobility in the economy.
Bob Brenk, Concord
Blown away by ‘Death by the River’
I just read the last segment in Elizabeth Leland’s excellent series “Death by the River,” (April 3-8).
I was blown away by the detail she included and the obvious time and talent it took to research and write this story, and I do so hope that Mark Carver will get a new trial.
When I saw the award winning movie “Spotlight” I realized the value of our print media investing in journalism and because of that, now appreciate Elizabeth’s work and the Observer’s commitment to it even more.
Adelaide Davis, Charlotte
Replicate Colo. model on teen pregnancy
Replicate Colo. model on teen pregnancy
In response to “Officials aim to curb teen pregnancy” (April 10):
The writer is chair of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.
Good to see Mecklenburg County leaders getting serious about reducing unintended pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood is celebrating its 100th anniversary since it began as a family planning organization distributing birth control information in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1916.
The motto of Sarah Bryant, founder of Planned Parenthood in Charlotte, is “Every child should be a wanted child.”
Last year, we provided 234 long-acting reversible contraceptives in Charlotte and 2,472 in the state.
Let’s figure out a way to replicate the model of Colorado and reduce our teen pregnancy rate by 45 percent across our state.
Jill Dinwiddie, Charlotte
Alarmed by GOP ridicule on HB2
The vigorous attacks by the N.C. Republican Party on PayPal and, by extension, every one of the more than 120 major corporations that have formally called for the repeal of HB2, is alarming.
Caustic ridicule normally reserved for political opponents has been heaped upon the businesses who spoke up for their beliefs.
These are businesses that provide our paychecks, pay taxes, and provide a livelihood for local small business owners and employees.
It’s a good thing that an election is near. I’m voting my own economic interest by voting against every N.C. Republican candidate.
Thomas Arrigo, Charlotte
Losing PayPal saves taxpayers money
I was astounded to read recent articles about the countless millions in taxpayer funded incentives North Carolina pays to companies, both existing and those moving here.
Who decides these amounts and who gets them? What oversight and justification is there for taxpayer money?
Moral issues aside, HB2 saved taxpayers $3 million with Paypal’s exit alone.
Steve Benson, Monroe
N.C. legislature is the bully, not PayPal
In response to “PayPal CEO chose a PR stunt to bully N.C.” (April 10 Forum):
A bully is defined as a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.
PayPal and others aren’t stronger than North Carolina; they simply changed their minds because the laws changed.
Speaking of bullies, the real bully of late is the N.C. legislature. They bullied their way into Charlotte-Douglas airport administration with no warning or provocation.
That unnecessary overreach, which has gone unsettled for several years, has cost taxpayers millions in legal fees. Meanwhile, the airport flourishes.
John Bowling, Charlotte
This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.13.16."