It’s time politicians face consequences for failing to do their jobs | Opinion

Once again, under both parties, the North Carolina General Assembly has failed in its primary duty: pass a full state budget by the start of the state fiscal year. Also yet again, Congress has failed to pass the federal budget by the start of the federal fiscal year.

Both state legislators and Congress members cite various reasons for these failures. State and federal employees would face consequences if they failed to do their jobs.

The time has come for lawmakers, who continue to receive pay even when they fail to pass budgets on time, to face consequences. I propose that lawmakers’s pay be docked when they fail to pass budgets on time, beginning with a small amount but growing with each passing day. Why should the rest of us suffer but not lawmakers

Robert Dalton, Chapel Hill

Shootings

The tragic shootings in Southport, NC and the Mormon Church in Michigan are linked by similar circumstances. Both shooters were veterans believed to be suffering from PTSD. Both used assault weapons, which were purchased legally. Much of the blame can be placed on state and national lawmakers, who are unwilling to address gun violence and provide adequate funding for veterans’s healthcare.

American healthcare is being mismanaged by Robert Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, a Donald Trump appointee approved by Republicans, is incompetent. Many state legislatures, including North Carolina’s, have been slow in responding to gun violence, refusing to enact red flag laws and adequate background checks, while allowing the purchase of assault weapons, which have no purpose in our society.

American voters continue to vote for lawmakers who bear much of the responsibility for this carnage, and the neglect of healthcare of veterans who were wounded in the defense of freedom.

Thomas K. Spence Jr., Sanford

American socialism

In response to “Make America capitalist again,” socialism is as American as apple pie. The Constitution directs government to “promote the general Welfare “ in the Preamble and in the Tax and Spending Clause that Republicans prefer us to forget.

Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman were attacked as “socialist, “ yet their programs reflected the ideas of economist John Maynard Keynes, who argued for public spending to stabilize economies. The U. S., like Scandinavia, has always blended markets with public service — mixed economies that produce not tyranny, but prosperity and, in Scandinavia’s case, some of the world’s happiest citizens.

M.B. Hardy, Raleigh

Gerrymandering beef

According to Common Cause, 84% of North Carolina Voters find that gerrymandering is never acceptable. This includes 78% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats and 85% of Independent voters. And, 70% of voters support the establishment of a bipartisan citizens commission to draw fair voting maps for North Carolina.

So, how can Sen. Phil Berger and state Republicans insist on undemocratic gerrymandering? It’s deeply unpopular. Voters want fair maps, drawn by a bipartisan citizens commission. Berger and Republicans better get their act together before we voters show them “the beef” at the ballot box.

Jim Saranteas, Raleigh

Children lose

For the second week, my therapist’s office canceled my appointment, not because of scheduling, but reimbursement issues tied to NC’s Medicaid rate cuts. As a mother, I feel the impact deeply.

My son is autistic and receives specific therapy, which faces up to 10% cuts in Medicaid reimbursement. Families like mine depend on these therapies to help our children. If providers cannot continue accepting Medicaid patients, many children will lose essential care.

These state-level cuts come as federal lawmakers remain locked in a funding standoff over healthcare programs and insurance subsidies. While Washington debates budgets and Raleigh implements reductions, families like mine are left waiting. This isn’t about politics; it’s about canceled appointments, interrupted therapy,and children losing support they need.

Mental healthcare and autism services are not luxuries; they are lifelines. Behind every statistic is a child, a parent, a family. I urge federal and state leaders to stop treating healthcare as a bargaining chip. North Carolina families deserve stability, not uncertainty.

Elizabeth Brown, Winston Salem

Beards, weight?

With the Donald Trump and Peter Hegseth military meeting, we paid to bring more than 800 military personnel from all over the world to tell them to shave their beards and lose weight?

Jane Hunt, Raleigh

This story was originally published October 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "It’s time politicians face consequences for failing to do their jobs | Opinion."