The Republicans in Raleigh passed some destructive legislation. You’d believe, after 100 years of not being in control, they would turn this state into a role model for other states (including New York). But, no, they’re making us a laughing stock nationally.
Take education. They’ve exhibited a blatant disregard for teachers. Although the Democrats kept education funding and teacher salaries at levels below most other states for years, the Republicans are knocking it down even further. Thousands of second- and third-grade teaching assistants are being fired. There will be no salary increases for teachers but the governor and Speaker of the House gave staffs huge raises.
They even voted to cancel sales tax holidays where some small savings can be achieved by teachers and parents buying school supplies. They cut the highest personal income tax to 5.75 percent. In 2015 it drops to 5 percent. This helps the wealthiest, not education.
The Republicans advocated some dumb legislation, like increasing speed limits to 75 mph. This would save lives, I guess. They wanted to tax Social security and eliminate all tax deductions. Those haven’t been passed, but it’s the thought that counts.
Another brilliant law allows hunters to use silencers. Apparently, shooting hurts hunters’ ears or perhaps PETA complained that the noise of gunfire hurts the hunted before they end up on someone’s dinner plate. They passed a law allowing guns in bars, parks and restaurants. For sure this will suppress disorderly conduct and prevent the intoxicated from killing each other. Just like it worked so well in the 1850s out West.
How about the voting changes? The voting laws were fine. It’s the way districts are established that need repair.
I shouldn’t be totally negative. They did do some good things, like increasing the standard tax deduction. There may be others. Oh, yes, the governor gave cookies to some protestors.
In my selfishness, I’d like to bribe someone (I mean, make a healthy contribution) to pass a requirement that civil war re-enactors use silencers on their rifles. They are really loud, and I’m certain someone is offended by the noise.
— Donald Schumacher

Salisbury

I saw President Obama being interviewed on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” Tuesday. When he was asked about the killing of young Trayvon Martin, I was really hoping to hear him mention that if Trayvon had dialed 911 and reported a strange man following him, the operator would’ve certainly calmed the situation and Trayvon would probably be alive today.
To me, that would have shown leadership on the part of our president. Instead, it seems that anyone suggesting that Trayvon could have reacted differently, even if it might help prevent future deaths, is suggesting that somehow Trayvon deserved it. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Last month President Obama said that “this could have been my son.” That got me to thinking, because Barack Obama spent most of his adult life living and working in Chicago. As a civil rights attorney, a college professor, and finally a state senator, his liberal policies only encouraged the existing cycle of poverty that’s led to the hundreds of black on black murders that occur each year in that city. So, yes, as a father in Chicago, he very well might have mourned the loss of a son. Not because of white Hispanics, though, but because of Chicago’s liberal policies.
And here’s something the mainstream media never reports while they’re fanning the flames of racism. According to FBI crime statistics for the year 2011 (2012 statistics haven’t been released yet), 2,695 blacks were murdered in the United States. Of these, 2,447 were murdered by other blacks, while 193 were murdered by whites. Only one of these 2,695 murders is listed as a hate-crime (meaning racism was involved).
So while the mainstream media is lecturing us that we need to have a conversation about racism, it’s obvious that they’re only trying to hide the real problem: liberalism.
— Steve Pender

Rockwell

Recently on I-85 south of Charlotte, I passed a moped with two adult males. It is time for Raleigh to wake up and outlaw this “form” of transportation.
— Keith Carter

Spencer

Obamacare can be stopped. But it needs to happen now, before it is fully implemented January 2014. Call, visit, write or e-mail your congressman and senators and urge them to defund Obamacare. Don’t fall for the scare tactic that to do so would result in a government shutdown. It would not. Congress would simply authorize payment of all of the government’s other bills, but not Obamacare. No more debate over repeal of Obamacare. No more debate over overhaul of Obamacare. Just defund it. No money, no program. But with only a few months remaining, the American people must get behind this: contact your representatives today and urge them to take all necessary action to defund Obamacare. Contact your friends on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Urge everybody you know to contact their U.S. representatives and insist that Obamacare be defunded. It isn’t too late.
— Jennifer Hudson

Salisbury