Retired banking exec: I don’t often agree with Elizabeth Warren, but I do on this | Opinion
Bank collapse
Having spent the bulk of my working days in the banking industry, I am amazed that Silicon Valley Bank could egregiously violate one of the most basic principles of banking. Interest rate risk is part and parcel of banking; managing that risk is not rocket science, but failure to do so is playing with rocket fuel.
Silicon Valley Bank knowingly took a moonshot on risk and left its mess for the regulators to rectify. The Biden administration did what is logical to address the need by using the banking industry’s insurance pool to protect all depositors. That the Fed needs to dampen its program of fighting inflation because of inept bank managers makes no sense.
I don’t often agree with Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s positions, but this time I think she’s correct.
Ross Annable, Harrisburg
NC gun law
As a mom and longtime employee of organizations serving children, I am concerned about firearm-related deaths of children. Data from the NC Child Fatality Task Force’s 2021 annual report show that firearm-related death rates for N.C. children were 1.5 times higher than the national average. And, 2021 was the most violent year of the 21st century, with 1,839 gun-related deaths in NC.
In spite of this, some legislators recently voted in favor of repealing the N.C. pistol permit purchase system. Due to gaps in federal law, having a state background check system is critical and can save lives. I thank those who voted to keep the state system in place and I urge Gov. Roy Cooper to veto this bill. I want N.C. lawmakers to vote to reduce, not increase, the risk of gun deaths.
Terri Eberle Katz, Davidson
Too much traffic
“Calming” described the traffic flow improvement project on Scaleybark Road in 2016. Now, seven years later, developers want to build high density, high-rise rental housing on the old Collinswood school property, effectively clogging Scaleybark once again.
Increased traffic will cause more car-idling, more toxic gas fumes, and greater safety concerns for children, walkers, cyclists and joggers. So will proposed new “cut throughs” to the back of the development. Naivete aside, could developers dig deeper, show restraint and understand what it feels like to thrive in a caring neighborhood of modest single family homes? When will we value people over profits?
Dan Busch, Charlotte
Book bans
Our society is remarkably diverse, and that is the source of its strength and vitality. Our children deserve the opportunity to learn about the multiplicity of the country where they live and will make their adult lives. Book banning deprives students of this opportunity and can only lead to intolerance and narrow-mindedness born of ignorance. A look at totalitarian regimes shows that book banning is a tool used to control the populace. As citizens fortunate enough to live in a democracy, we must reject such measures and affirm the essential value of knowledge.
Mary Vásquez, Davidson
Equal pay
Women had to work until March 14 this year to receive the same pay as a man did in 2022. We are still talking about the gender pay gap because it has barely changed since 2002 and pay inequity got worse with COVID. Over the past three years, women, especially women of color and caregivers, were pushed into part-time or seasonal work, or out of work altogether. Women earn earned 83% of the median hourly earnings of men. Include all workers in that comparison and the number drops to 77%. Women and their families deserve fair pay to help them achieve economic security. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act would protect and empower women as they re-enter the workforce.
Catherine Stadelman, Charlotte
Debt ceiling
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry is demanding $131 billion in spending cuts to “shrink” Washington and restore fiscal responsibility. And with a straight face! These poseurs pedaled the Big Lie of trickle-down economics and gutted our future with a reckless, greedy $1.9 trillion giveaway to the top 1% in 2017 when the economy was doing great. Every Republican president from Reagan through Trump added trillions to the national debt. And now these hypocrites want to talk about making cuts to Medicare and Social Security.
Robert Dulin, Charlotte
NCHSAA board
Regarding poor judgments and decisions made by the N.C. High School Athletic Association board during this year’s basketball tournament... One thing is clear, the NCHSAA needs new, competent, caring board members who won’t oversell tickets for a gym with poorly-marked exits, antiquated bleachers without railings, and a poor PA system. Venues should be chosen wisely and locations and times set, not changed after announced or after the tournament begins. These responsibilities are minimal, and the very least our dedicated players, students, school personnel, families and fans deserve. Apologies and refunds do not suffice. It’s time for a board that will earn its pay and serve the well-being of those it serves.
Sandy Bryant, Hoffman
