Unemployment insurance changes hurt families
The Republican-controlled General Assembly recently changed the rules on unemployment insurance, cutting availability from 26 weeks to 20 weeks and capping payments at $350 per week. Their reason for doing this was to repay the Unemployment Fund’s loan from the federal government of $2 billion-plus earlier, thus saving interest payments of around $20 million a year for a couple of years.
There are two ways to look at this, from a financial viewpoint or from a compassionate one.
From a strictly financial perspective, this is a no-brainer. Financial advisers and managers will typically advise reducing or even eliminating debt. This saves on interest payments while improving the balance sheet.
From the viewpoint of those losing their jobs through no fault of their own, things look a little different. For a middle class family going from a monthly income of $5,000 ($60,000 annual salary) to $1,400 per month, the question becomes how to pay the mortgage, utilities, food and job-search expenses. How does this affect the rest of us?
When asked what was the next most important commandment after “Love thy God,” Jesus Christ answered “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He explained this with the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing that everyone, even the most despised and lowly, is our neighbor. In other words, Christians especially are called on to show compassion and practical help for those in need. And yes, compassion usually does cost money. The Samaritan pledged his personal credit for the injured man’s recovery. Would we do the same?
It all boils down to following Christ or following financial advisers. The GOP legislators choose to follow the money, as they seem to do so often. None of that Good Samaritan stuff for them.
This Nov. 4, I hope voters will look at candidates and check how they really behave, and who they follow — God or Mammon.
— Jack Burke
Salisbury
Common sense needed
So sad, the responses of Aug. 19 to my “common sense suggestions” (Letters, Sept. 14). Some espouse absolutely ridiculous suggestions, diverting and avoiding my suggestions of dropping from 170 state representatives in North Carolina to one per county or 100 — stopping them from getting elected simply because they were the only ones running — having one U.S. senator and one U.S. House rep per state and, finally, common sense term limits for all elected officers, federal, state and county.
Alas, it is their type of nonsensical diversion tactics/ideas that will keep “common sense” reform from happening and being brought to the forefront and enacted.
The forefathers never envisioned a few dozen billionaires being able to advertise and try and sway/buy an election and buy candidates and favors. So an amendment to the Constitution to put in place a one-term limit on all elected offices is a must. Don’t be flippant; stick to the issues at hand. You’re not elected by the people and for the people when you have no one running against you and you win by default.
— Ed Miller
China Grove

Beware of balloons
Along with Whitey Harwood’s excellent suggestions for alternatives to balloons, I’d recommend the website www.balloonsblow.org. There are numerous alternatives to balloons, which pollute the environment and harm wildlife.
— Joanne Bryla
China Grove