12/15 Letters: North Carolina Republican leaders mislead on education spending

WestEd report

Regarding “Consultant says NC didn’t provide enough education funding. How big is the price tag?,” (Dec. 10):

“Money doesn’t buy outcomes” stated Pat Ryan, spokesperson for Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger.

As usual, Ryan and Berger are off the mark. Money buys teachers, teacher assistants, guidance counselors, support staff, literacy coaches, with direct and meaningful impact on students and their performance.

These professionals cost money — money that has been drained from our public schools since 2010 when Republicans took control of the General Assembly.

Ryan misses the mark yet again comparing North Carolina and New York spending vs outcomes The WestEd Report proves that NCAE and public school advocates have been right all along. Education spending is an investment, not an expense.

It is time to elect a General Assembly that understands the difference.

Anne Sherron, Raleigh

Education funding

The teaching profession has been denigrated and disrespected on several fronts. The pay is too low to attract and retain the best and the brightest.

If the average pay for 10 months of employment is just over $50,000 it needs to be increased $75,000. Couple this dramatic increase with action to lengthen the school year to 11 months and condition it with higher expectations of teacher performance.

Finally, funding for renovating school buildings needs to resemble the Marshall Plan implemented in Europe after World War II.

We are a state with a growing population, in a strong economic position, and viewed as among the best places to live, work and start a business. It is time for action.

Jack R. Stone, Zebulon

Impeachment

Who would have believed only a few short years ago that the self-described uber-patriots making up the leadership of the Republican Party would now be spouting Russian propaganda?

Who would have believed the Bible-thumping Republicans, who have for so long claimed the family values based moral high ground, would now be slavishly defending a president who has violated so much of their professed moral code?

Nobody would have! But here we have it. Republican elected officials across this country have backed this corrupt, lawless administration as it attacks the very foundations of our republic.

I guess their agenda all long really was just a thirst for power. At least now we know.

Eric Thomas, Durham

Donald Trump

Everything comes down to motive. James Comey said that Hillary broke the law but she didn’t mean to. Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Comey broke the law but he didn’t mean to. Nancy Pelosi said that Trump broke the law and he meant to.

The charge is that Trump knows what he’s doing. That’s what makes those who don’t support him so mad.

Alan Culton, Chapel Hill

GOP statesmen?

Several of the 22 Republican senators up for re-election in 2020 are in swing states and face uncertain prospects. They will soon face a difficult choice which will define them as statesmen-like, or as political party hacks.

Should they vote against impeaching President Trump they will surely lose the votes of many independent voters. But should they vote to impeach him they will instead lose many votes from the Republican Party base. Either way, their re-election is far from certain.

Recent statements solidly supporting Trump indicates that our Sen. Thom Tillis is intent on being remembered, or perhaps forgotten, as just another hack.

Thomas McKee, Cary

House Democrats

Regarding “Trump’s record,” (Dec. 1 Forum):

I disagree with this Forum writer’s statement about President Trump. First of all, anyone who is able to work can work due to the economy doing well under Trump’s leadership. In addition, the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico was announced this week.

It appears the only thing the 233 Democrats in the U.S. House are interested in doing is bringing up ridiculous charges against the president from day one. I urge them to quit wasting millions of dollars and start working for all taxpayers.

Marshall Matthews, Garner

Wasted war efforts

Regarding “Documents reveal misleading public statement on war in Afghanistan,” (Dec. 9)

I would like to add the cost of this 18-year war, which has reached $1.5 trillion.

This never-ending war has been funded with borrowed money. By 2023 we will have paid $600 billion in interest. What have we or the Afghans received for $1.5 trillion? More violence every month.

We have many urgent needs here in the United States. Bridge replacement and road maintenance have been delayed for lack of federal funds. Young people are struggling to pay off crushing student loans. Rents are sky-high in many cities. The need for affordable housing is urgent.

Kurt Becker, Durham