I won’t vote for candidates who sow fear the way many NC lawmakers do | Opinion

Sowing fear

When I read Paige Masten’s July 15 Opinion column, I was disappointed that some members of Congress and our state legislatures are wasting time trying to pass laws that are not necessary. They know that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in state and federal elections. Instead of working on legislation that would positively impact constituents, such as passing a budget, N.C. legislators spend time misleading voters. Either they want to create fear and have voters believe that problems exist when they don’t, or maybe they really don’t know much about civics. Regardless of the reason, voters need to educate themselves so they vote for candidates who are problem-solvers, rather than those who mislead and sow fear.

Tara Bissette, Fuquay-Varina

Biden must go

The writer is active in the Durham Democratic Party, but not speaking for it.

The Democratic National Committee is trying to railroad Joe Biden’s nomination through. The party I’ve supported all my life is refusing to listen to a large swath of members.

The president continues to repeat that millions of voters elected him in the primary — where there was no opposition, no opportunity to debate. What we realize now is that we were voting for someone whose cognitive and physical decline were withheld from us. We were deceived.

The party runs the risk of losing the presidency and both houses of Congress — and also an energetic, passionate base. Party leaders must tell Biden that he no longer commands the confidence of ordinary Democrats. This isn’t a rebellion of “elites,” Hollywood or the press. This is widespread frustration with Biden, his small circle of advisers and the DNC. Never have I ever... felt so betrayed by the myopic misuse of political power and by the utter disregard for the power of the people.

Marjorie George, Durham

Mark Robinson

Interviewees in the July 15 article about Mark Robinson described him as “hilarious.” A man who’s said “some folks need killing,” tells women “it’s not your body anymore” and “you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down” is not in any way amusing. History has shown that when we don’t take politicians at their word, when we think they’re “just kidding,” we regret it. Robinson has shown us clearly who he is — and he’s not someone who should ever be governor.

Jennifer Tlusty, Raleigh

Hungry kids

The writer is program manager of School Meals for All NC.

Hungry children cannot learn. That’s why our coalition of educators, parents, faith and community leaders couldn’t agree more with Wake school board member Toshiba Rice, who said June 25: “Feed these babies so they can learn and not be hungry during the day.”

One in six N.C. children go hungry every day. In some rural parts of the state, it’s one in three. It’s important that school districts stop creating obstacles that prevent students from accessing meals at school. Instead, let’s find a way to remove the costs, shame and other barriers that prevent every public school student from getting a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Maybe that means changing policies. Maybe it means requesting more funding to expand meal programs. If we truly care about the health and well-being of our students, we’ll do whatever it takes.

Marianne Weant, Cary

‘Climate hell’

The writer is professor emeritus of Earth Sciences at Duke University and co-author of “Escaping Nature.”

As climate change milestones go, the past few weeks of extreme heat have been historic. More than 1,300 worshipers died in the heat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Heat is killing howler monkeys in Mexico, who fall dead from trees due to dehydration. Closer to home, new heat records were set again in June. Globally, last year was the hottest in 120,000 years, triggering coral bleaching in Australia, record drought in Brazil’s Amazon.

Climatologists predict this is just the beginning unless we take serious steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the UN Secretary General said: we are heading for “climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.” What science tells us about climate change is irrefutable, but it also tells us that it’s not too late to stem the tide and reduce emissions.

Orrin H. Pilkey, Durham

This story was originally published July 21, 2024 at 5:30 AM with the headline "I won’t vote for candidates who sow fear the way many NC lawmakers do | Opinion."