The best government money can buy
In response to “SC’s Mulvaney says he only talked to lobbyists who paid up while in US House” (April 25):
Mick Mulvaney, the Trump administration consumer watchdog, recently told a gathering of the American Bankers Association that as the 5th District South Carolina congressman he only listened to lobbyists who gave him money.
The message to bankers seemed clear, but least he was truthful about how Washington works.
We have the best government money can buy. And the foxes are now in charge of the chicken house.
Ed Hinson, Charlotte
Taxpayer wallets will take another hit
In response to “Mark Richardson has favorite potential buyer” (April 26):
Considering outright gifts of tax money, land, infrastructure, PSL cash, plus security and traffic control for each game, by my estimate the taxpayers have contributed at least $250 million to the elite, wealthiest folks in our area. And my guess is that no one will purchase the Panthers without some assurance from the uptown crowd of money for a new or improved stadium.
Little wonder, we have sewage spills, lack of sidewalks, and face tax increases for public housing. What a shame!
Don Reid, Charlotte
That’s not spreading affordable housing
In response to “Vote reveals deep divide on affordable housing” (April 25):
Monday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said: “I am beginning to wonder if we believe in upward mobility.” I wonder that, too.
That night, City Council approved the third affordable housing project for Mountain Island Lake. All are within a couple of miles of each other. Nearby are overcrowded Title 1 schools, empty storefronts and horrible roads.
Exactly how are we helping upward mobility? I thought the city policy was to “scatter” affordable housing?
Steve Swicegood, Charlotte
What some really fear? Loss of power
In response to Keith Larson “On immigration, what are we afraid of?” (April 25 Opinion):
With regard to immigration, op-ed columnist Keith Larson asks “What is it we’re really afraid of?” I suggest one answer is that fear of a browning of the American population is causing certain segments of the majority to fear the possible loss of power.
Karl Adkins, Charlotte
Three ways to fix immigration issue
We will never solve the illegal immigration problem until we elect politicians who are more concerned about the country than about getting re-elected. We must also prosecute employers who hire illegal immigrants to make more profits, and we must get PAC money out of elections.
“Career politician” is an oxymoron that the Founding Fathers would have found unacceptable.
Rosalie Spaniel, Charlotte
Sen. McConnell, get out of the way
Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bipartisan bill to give Robert Mueller a fair hearing should he be fired by the president. I admire their political courage to protect the rule of law.
Special kudos to Sens. Thom Tillis, Lindsey Graham, Christopher Coons and Cory Booker for pushing this bill forward. Their efforts deserve a full hearing and vote on the Senate floor, yet Sen. Mitch McConnell is refusing to let this happen.
As an independent and former Republican voter, I feel it is extremely important to let Mueller and his team finish their work.
I find it highly offensive that some legislators, including the president, are denigrating honorable and hard-working law enforcement professionals who are pursuing the truth.
Keith Wilson, Charlotte
How to create real student-athletes
In response to “NCAA begins work on complex reforms” (April 26):
Division I athletic programs are the product of an unholy alliance between money and education. The solution is simple: eliminate them.
At the same time, let colleges maintain athletic programs on a Division II or III level. Let them be sources of both entertainment and scholarship, just as music and theater programs are.
Let student athletes major in the sports they play and earn degrees in the field, provided they take the same general studies courses as other students.
Then we’ll see college athletes be true student-athletes and an end to the corruption that has poisoned college athletics.
Stephen V. Gilmore, Charlotte