To combat coronavirus, Americans must end the partisan rancor and come together.
Time for people to come together
I don’t really know what the future holds for our country, but I do know this: We must start identifying as Americans and not Democrats or Republicans. Partisanship will not help us combat coronavirus, terror attacks, economic uncertainty or opioid addiction.
The problems facing us are bigger than abortion or gun rights or whether you kneel during the national anthem. We need to bring back common sense. It didn’t make sense to give tax cuts to corporations, now we have a huge deficit. It doesn’t make sense to ignore Intelligence agencies when they inform us that countries outside the U.S. are trying to interfere in our elections. It doesn’t make sense to blame any person or agency for the spread of sickness. Get it together, America!
Kelley L. Walker, Charlotte
Financial turmoil? Can’t trust Trump
A quick refresher for those who might think that our president knows how to lead us through financial turmoil... This is the guy whose airline, casinos and real estate businesses went bankrupt or nearly bankrupt during the last financial crisis. In fact, he was the one who needed bailing out last time around. So don’t be looking to President Trump to save the day.
Leslie Goldfarb, Charlotte
Dems are thwarting Trump on economy
Back in 1996 I recall Bill Clinton advisers saying “it’s the economy, stupid” in advising him how to win re-election. Here we are in 2020 with Democrats concerned that Joe Biden may not be able to defeat Trump. Thus, the Democrats will try to block any attempt by Trump to pass legislation to stimulate the economy and instead continue to criticize his administration’s handling of this outbreak. It is a sad day in America when the two political parties would prefer to have a poor economy at election time to win back the White House and/or seats in Congress.
Craig Reutlinger, Charlotte
A better way to punish Wells execs
Forcing the Wells Fargo board chair to resign is too mild a penalty. Even jail is too light. The most appropriate way to penalize Wells executives for their crimes is to hit them where it hurts most - force them to use their time to make restitution to depositors and shareholders they victimized. Make them write, sign and mail checks to each victim and make them do this by hand. That’ll be far more effective than making them spend time in jail.
Stephen V. Gilmore, Charlotte
Capitalizing on student loan debt
Regarding “A dwindling defense against a fraudulent school, big loans,” (March 8 Opinion):
It appears op-ed writer Shaun Joyce has learned a valuable life lesson. There is risk in any investment. Student loans are another of the government’s privately-funded disastrous financial programs, aimed at entrapping individuals for political gain. Think back to the 2008 housing crisis where government-supported zero-down home loans created a financial crisis. Does anyone think for a minute that politicians promising student debt forgiveness are not capitalizing on this issue?
Ed Carlson, Charlotte
Zane’s commentary only divides more
Regarding “Conservatives muzzled at UNC-CH,” (March 9 Opinion):
J Peder Zane’s characterization of a survey conducted by two professors at UNC Chapel Hill on anti-conservative bias was laughable. We have a national divide in our country created by labeling everything liberal or conservative. Zane’s commentary only divides more by commending the authors for illuminating this “dark side of campus life.” I find Chapel Hill a place to celebrate higher education at its best, not a dog-bites-man story.
Daryl Solomonson, Troutman
Demand change on health insurance
Regarding “Dental care can leave patients vulnerable,” (March 8):
Kathy McCracken’s unfortunate story is now the norm: People believe their insurance will cover things, then sadly discover its shortcomings. How much longer will we tolerate this?
Her story contains a wealth of revealing terms: “maxed out,” “$3,000 out-of-pocket,” “major gap,” and worst of all, “extremely vulnerable.” Another example of insurance inadequacy is Medicare Advantage, for-profit privatized Medicare that is craftily marketed to appear preferable to original Medicare.
Americans, wake up and demand the only solution - Medicare for All - before these devastating terms apply to you.
Michael Knaebel, Charlotte
Coronavirus cases
Click or touch the map to see cases in the North Carolina area. Pan the map to see cases elsewhere in the world. The data for the map is maintained by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and automated by the Esri Living Atlas team. Data sources are WHO, US CDC, China NHC, ECDC, and DXY. Data is updated every hour. Note: Some cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are grouped in Japan on this map and do not show up in the US.
