NC Dems criticize their own for crossing the aisle. That’s rich. | Opinion
Brockman’s critics
Regarding “Democrat hits back at critics for his support of budget,” (Sept. 27):
The Democratic Party claims to be the party of compromise and to be reaching across the aisle. However, they eviscerate state Rep. Cecil Brockman and four other Democrats for voting to pass the Republican-led state budget. As part of that compromise, some received money for the districts they represent. That would seem to be following Democratic talking points. What hypocrites.
David Ramsey, Mooresville
Fair election maps
District maps will soon be redrawn in North Carolina. Do we really trust power-hungry politicians to draw fair election maps? New maps will determine whether public schools are fully funded and commonsense gun laws enacted, two issues North Carolinians want addressed. We need an independent redistricting commission. Mecklenburg will be in the crosshairs again and should not be split more than once.
We need fairly drawn maps that keep communities together and protect and prioritize the voices that have been marginalized in this state for centuries. I want to live in a state where every vote matters. Don’t you?
Lori Downey, Huntersville
Striking workers
Regarding “Auto workers strike spreads to Charlotte,” (Sept. 28):
While I understand the optics behind the UAW’s decision to strike — CEOs earning hundreds of times the average worker’s pay — their logic is flawed. The assembly line worker who tightens lug nuts on the left rear wheel for eight hours a day cannot reasonably expect the same compensation trajectory as the executive who makes industry-defining decisions, navigates state, federal and global labor regulations, lobbies legislatures for policy change and establishes the culture for tens of thousands of employees.
Instead, they should be comparing their work environment and compensation to what they could expect from another company/occupation in the community they’ve chosen to call home. If they can find something better, they should take it. If not, they should be grateful to have the job they voluntarily accepted.
Brian Buckley, Cornelius
Banned books
The writer is moderator of The Best Exotic Book Club of Fourth Ward.
After reading “banned” books this month, our book club agreed that controversial books should not be banned from public or school libraries. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recently removed “Red: A Crayon’s Story” from shelves for grades K-4. The U.S. Department of Education suggested CMS use it for lessons on Title IX. The book doesn’t mention gender or sexuality.
Banning books squelches a parent’s opportunity to have meaningful discussions with their children. This is how children learn our values. Banning books is a slippery slope to government censorship and the erosion of freedom of expression.
Deb Park, Charlotte
Climate disasters
Regarding “How climate change is making it harder than ever to own a home” (Sept. 28):
Insurance companies are ending coverage in areas of increasingly high risk, due to climate change: more intense and frequent floods, wildfires and hurricanes. Forget that place by the water or that cabin in the woods. But you’ll be able to afford Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, home to a plethora of grains and urea fertilizer. A blown VW engine stranded me there decades ago. Think Iowa, but colder and less exciting.
With global warming, it’s “Go north, old man, go north!” You say the planet isn’t heating up faster than ever? Tell that to your insurance company — if you can find one.
Jean Ritok, Charlotte
Presidential race
Where has politics gone? It’s about four months to the start of the primaries and eight months to the conventions. One party is trying to discourage competition while it props up a competent, but aging, incumbent. Another is trying to keep a former president from getting close to their ballot. Once a week for a month I’d like to see each party put a dozen people on a stage and tell me why they should be the next president. I welcome crackpots, those with novel ideas, serious newcomers and respected office holders.
William C. Barnes, Charlotte
