Durham commissioner: Enough is enough from Mark Robinson. He must go.

Robinson must go

The writer is a Durham County commissioner.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s disgraceful hate speech never seems to let up. (Nov. 21) Enough is enough. These are unacceptable comments from the lieutenant governor. All in North Carolina should feel safe and supported living as their authentic selves, regardless of whom they love or how they identify. Republican and Democrat leaders should defend the rights of every North Carolinian.

We need to pass the Equality Act to end discrimination on the basis of sexual identity or gender expression. We need a nationwide ban on conversion therapy, to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ families in adoption and foster care, and to crack down on bullying and discrimination in schools. But first, we need our elected officials to show basic decency and respect to communities they represent. It’s time for Robinson to resign.

Nida Allam, Durham

Election workers

The Republican General Assembly members who joined colleagues in requesting an audit of 2020 presidential election results should be required to read the U.S. and N.C. constitutions and review the oath poll workers take.

The 186 legislators from 39 states who signed the letter are strongly intimidating and discouraging constituents from serving as Election Day workers. I’ve served as an election official in Durham and Wake counties for the past 13 years and have never been so disgusted with campaign tactics.

Apparently the signers are unaware that all cases brought by former President Trump’s attorneys have been dismissed for lack of evidence. Continuation of Trump campaign falsehoods and propaganda only leads to unwillingness of workers to administer elections in our democracy.

Mark G. Rodin, Morrisville

Stop the Steal

If we really want to “Stop the Steal,” then we need to fight to prevent Republican legislatures, like North Carolina’s, from gerrymandering our political maps and creating an electoral landscape that denies people of color and minorities, as well as good old-fashioned Democrats, from having their voices heard. We need nonpartisan, fair maps so everyone’s vote counts. Stop the Steal!

Patricia M. Walker, Raleigh

US borders

It’s possible international travelers will soon be banned from entering the U.S. once again. Yet, the former U.S. Border Patrol chief has reported that more than 400,000 people who illegally crossed the border in the past 12 months were able to get away without being arrested. Banning international travelers from entering the U.S. again with our southern border open is the height of stupidity.

Pat Goodrich, Mills River

Funding police

I watched the national news Nov. 26 and was shocked to see that one of the top stories was the shooting at Southpoint mall in Durham. Between this news and news about slow 911 response times, I suppose we won’t be winning the awards this year for best city to live in.

In May, some Durham City Council members voted to reduce the police force and transfer some funding to an unarmed Community Safety Department. I hope they will rethink their stance.

Barbara Jacobs, Durham

Citizens United

As companies rallied this year against restrictive new voting laws advanced by Republicans around the country, Sen. Mitch McConnell told chief executives to stay in their lane. “My warning, if you will, to corporate America is to stay out of politics,” McConnell said. “It’s not what you’re designed for.”

Is McConnell saying he doesn’t want corporations involved in political speech and in making political contributions? Can we expect the GOP to push for overturning Citizens United?

Douglas Johnston, Raleigh

COVID choices

COVID is not going away. It is clear that eventually everyone will get COVID antibodies either by vaccination or infection.

Smart people will get their antibodies by vaccination with a one in a million chance of bad side effects. Others will wait to get a first COVID infection with the much greater risk of bad long-term effects, including permanent chronic fatigue, lung and heart damage.

Everyone is going to get COVID antibodies. The only choice is how.

George Reeves, Raleigh