Tillis is one of the ‘good’ Republicans, but Capitol Hill isn’t a good place | Opinion

The writer is a former state senator and worked as chief of staff for NC governors and a U.S. senator

Nearly two years ago I heard Sen. Thom Tillis may not run for re-election for numerous reasons, one being threats to his life and family. The political world has gotten more dangerous and divisive since. I said many times — I am thankful I worked on Capitol Hill in the 70s and 80s when the climate was totally different.

I worked for Sen. Jim Broyhill, who was respected by both parties. I do not fault Tillis for his decision not to run again. The GOP primary would have been a nasty one, but I perhaps naively believe he could win. The general election would have been tough but winnable. But at what cost? And I am not talking about money.

Tillis is an honest public servant, and he will take that hard-earned reputation to the private sector. Thank you, Sen. Tillis. He is one of the “good” Republicans, and I am proud to be his friend.

Phil Kirk, Raleigh

Shrimping

It is unfortunate the legislature won’t consider the bill restricting shrimp trawling in NC inshore waters. Despite the efforts of the shrimpers, bycatch remains a serious problem, with 4 to 10 pounds of bycatch killed for each pound of shrimp. This is harmful for commercial and recreational fisheries and damages the ecosystem. The act of dragging the trawl causes physical damage to the sea floor and its habitat, damage that can take years to recover.

A major reason the proposed restrictions are needed is the past practices of lightly or unregulated shrimping. I love local shrimp as much as anyone, but if we continue on the current path we will soon have no shrimp except for the low quality imports from Southeast Asia.

Peter Aitken, Chapel Hill

Inhumane

I volunteer at the Food Bank garden, which grows more than 10,000 pounds of vegetables each year to feed hungry families. Every weekday morning, trucks and vans come to the warehouse from all over central and eastern NC to pick up food to thousands of NC families. Many of these vehicles come from churches, who see it as their Christian mission to address hunger.

Because of Trump’s budget cuts, the Food Bank has lost funding to staff the garden, leaving crops to die in the heat. Now, Trump’s “beautiful” bill will further hurts working families while making wealthy folks richer. These actions impacts communities — they are un-Christian, inhumane and unnecessary.

Scott Mouw, Raleigh

Democrat’s resolution

North Carolina Democrats’ resolution for an embargo on U.S. military support of Israel is a step in the right direction. The Israeli genocide of Palestinians is one of the gravest current human rights abuses. No U.S. funds should be used for wars and occupations abroad. Most of the U.S. funded wars currently are directed at Muslim-majority countries.

We at Muslims for Social Justice have witnessed heightened attacks on Muslims and Muslim-appearing people as a result of anti-Muslim bigotry. This includes the murder of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill in 2015. The roots of anti-Muslim bigotry are in the U.S. wars abroad and discriminatory polices at home. We should organize to end militarism and wars, and divert resources to education, healthcare, affordable housing and other needs of our people.

Manzoor Cheema, Raleigh

Billionaire bill

Trump and congressional Republicans teamed up on their corrupt Big Billionaire Bill to rip away resources from working families and fund tax handouts to the rich. This bill is a product of the corruption that defines the Republican Party. Republicans are threatening to gut Medicaid, Social Security and other important programs for working people. They steal from us to make billionaire donors happy.

Billionaires and corporations spent billions of dollars to elect a Republican trifecta in Washington. Now, Trump and Republicans are selling us out with legislation that will mark the biggest transfer of wealth away from working families to the hands of the wealthiest Americans. I hope more people join me in speaking out against GOP corruption like this from now until the 2026 election. We deserve a government that works for us, not the billionaires.

Melanie Aitken, Durham

This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Tillis is one of the ‘good’ Republicans, but Capitol Hill isn’t a good place | Opinion."