8/31 Letters: Trump must ‘put his money where his mouth is’ on NAFTA

Reform NAFTA

Regarding “NAFTA talks begin with US pledging major changes in trade pact” (Aug. 16): President Trump promised to be the “greatest jobs producing president in history.” With NAFTA negotiations underway, it’s time he puts his money where his mouth is. A new trade plan should push corporations to foster good, family-sustaining workplaces and higher pay for working people across North America.

As trade representatives and congressional leaders come together to rework this treaty, Americans can’t hold their breath and hope for the best. They know what life has looked like living under NAFTA for nearly 25 years. A revised NAFTA must provide working families the opportunity to build better futures for themselves and our region. Anything less is a deal not worth taking.

Speak up, senators

Both Burr and Tillis have been woefully silent about both the Charlottesville tragedy and the pardon of Joe Arpaio, both acts related to white supremacy as well as racial bigotry. I would like to believe that Burr and Tillis are as outraged as most of the residents in North Carolina and are concerned and care about the direction and competency of this administration and the president. I would like to see some real emotion around these issues instead of glib statements.

Map hearing ‘outrage’

Regarding “Public pans GOP maps proposed for redistricting” (Aug. 23): I went to Raleigh to one of the seven statewide hearings on the redrawn district maps. All seven began at 4 p.m., ran as one meeting. The hearings allowed three speakers from Wake, then three from Caldwell, three from Guilford, etc., so every speaker spoke to the entire state. Staffers explained this was to allow legislators to hear every speaker.

There were more than 160 speakers signed up in packed hearing rooms in each location. It took an hour to cycle through all seven sites once, with three speakers at each site. That’s 21 speakers an hour at best.

If legislators were serious about wanting public opinion, they would have held hearings separately. The argument that there isn’t time doesn’t hold since they have had months to redraw maps.

This story was originally published August 30, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "8/31 Letters: Trump must ‘put his money where his mouth is’ on NAFTA."