Congressman Dan Bishop needs to learn the art of compromise | Opinion

Rep. Dan Bishop

Republican Congressman Dan Bishop of Charlotte, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, has declared that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy should be removed from his post for supporting a bipartisan measure to prevent our government from defaulting on our debt and crashing our economy. Bishop’s ideological constituents make up a tiny fraction of our electorate. Instead of grandstanding on the Capitol steps with kindred true believers, I suggest that Bishop devote his time and attention to the art of compromise, without which our country cannot move forward.

William L. Sitton Jr., Charlotte

Patrick McHenry

A great note of thanks to Congressman Patrick McHenry for being one of the true adults in the room in getting our national government to do what it was elected to do. He was instrumental in getting the debt ceiling extension passed and did not cave to the extremist from the fringes of either party. McHenry showed leadership in rising above the partisan stench that pervades Capitol Hill and was able to shepherd a mutually beneficial piece of legislation.

Tim McCulla, Matthews

School vouchers

I am dismayed at the N.C. General Assembly’s poor showing towards public education. While North Carolina has the means to fund the Leandro decision’s dictates for basic education, political will is missing. The business community and all tax-paying voters need to insist that our public schools are well supported and successful. For those attending schools that don’t teach to state standards or aren’t held accountable for how taxpayer money is spent, vouchers are a waste. A bill that allows the rich to benefit from vouchers amounts to Robin Hood’s slogan in reverse: steal from the poor to give to the rich.

Margaret Howe-Soper, Charlotte

Teacher pay

That the N.C. Senate’s budget offers only a $5 a week pay increase for teachers with 14 years of experience or more shows that state legislators do not value teachers. That money would not even be enough to purchase a Big Mac Meal from McDonald’s, which costs about $9 in Charlotte. There are three ways teachers can remedy the situation: vote with their feet and leave the state, vote the legislators out of office in the next election, or form a collective bargaining unit.

James Jay Dunn, Charlotte

Charlotte leaders

Regarding “Charlotte can’t move forward if leaders are afraid to do so,” (June 2 Editorial):

I support building duplexes and triplexes in neighborhoods, but I oppose letting developers build high-rise market rate apartments in residential areas that destroy tree canopies, increase traffic on overburdened streets, overtax public utilities and ignore affordable housing.

Until Charlotteans are less wedded to cars, building massive apartments in the hopes public transportation will be used is folly. Strong leadership is thoughtful leadership, willing to rethink what’s best for a vibrant livable city. If being responsive to the concerns of residents is an obstacle to “progress,” I seriously question the editorial board’s definition of the word.

Patricia Busch, Charlotte

Sports betting?

North Carolina could soon allow sports betting, but any hope of medical marijuana is likely to go up in smoke.

Gambling on sports in our state is projected to provide about $80 million in annual tax revenue. In Illinois, nearly $40 million in legal marijuana was sold the first month it was available for recreational use.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, compulsive gambling addiction is severe for 2 million Americans and moderate for 4-6 million.

Legal cannabis sales provides opioid alternative programs and pain relief for millions who otherwise can’t find beneficial medical help, while severely addicted gamblers often contemplate suicide or turn to crime to support their habit. And according to a recent federal study, states with legalized cannabis sales have seen little to no impact on crime.

Logic and common sense apparently are not tools N.C. legislators use to make their decisions.

Robin Drechsel, Charlotte

Welcome migrants

The writer is a CMS board member.

In May 2022, Welcoming America designated Charlotte a “Certified Welcoming” city. Over 17% of our community’s residents are foreign-born. I’m proud that the Queen City has received this recognition. With the Title 42 public health order expiring at the border, Charlotte’s policies around infrastructure will be tested. Have we done the work to prepare our community for a possible spike in migrant arrivals?

Guiding principle No. 4 in the Welcoming America toolkit addresses the need for crafting messaging that inspires local support. The county, city, CMS and other community partners have been meeting to prepare. As Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents, let’s all do our part to join them in supporting the infrastructure and positive rhetoric needed to be a city worthy of being called “welcoming.”

Jennifer De La Jara, Charlotte