2/5 Letters: To sustain democracy, electorate must find a way to end party polarization

Polarization

It seems there is no longer room for a moderate Republican or moderate Democrat. The major problem with this is that it leads to both sides becoming resistant to compromise, and compromise is the very premise upon which our entire government functions.

Unfortunately, the parties thrive on polarization. Pushing people to the extremes ensures that each party has a hardcore group of supporters who are vocal and financially generous, allowing the parties to stay in power even though a majority of the population is dissatisfied with our government.

The electorate needs to make a conscious effort to promote cooperation and compromise. Partisanship is the most dangerous force that contributes to the inability of this country to resolve major issues. Whether we can overcome it may be an indicator of long-term success.

Eli D. Elk, Chapel Hill

Republican senators

I was surprised to see that some Republican senators had accepted the fact that President Trump had indeed done what was charged in the impeachment. I am sad to observe that they smelled the smoke but did not have the courage to look for the fire. No profiles in courage there and a dangerous negligence for us all.

Jon Larson, Chocowinity

Infant deaths

Regarding “What can NC do to reduce the death rate for black babies?” (Feb. 3):

What can the state do to cut black infants’ death rate? Partner with President Trump and repeal Roe v. Wade.

Mike Wenger, Raleigh

Duke rebates

Regarding “Glitch causes Duke Energy customers to lose solar rebates,” (Feb. 1):

Thanks for pointing out the significant flaws in the Duke Energy solar rebate program. I submitted a rebate application on Jan. 2, 2019. By October I had not heard a word from Duke so I called about the status of my rebate, calculated to be $3,850.

I was told that I was No. 302 on the wait list and that the list would be “zeroed out” at the end of the year with no opportunity to reapply.

The website was inadequate then, and based on the N&O report it still is. The process is a bit like buying a lottery ticket and for those who need the rebate to go solar the uncertainty of the program likely dissuades them. It’s counterproductive of the expressed intent of the program.

William Delamar, Durham

Reading scores

Regarding “As reading scores slip, Wake changes teaching methods. But that’s led to backlash,” (Jan. 31):

I can’t believe that there is still a debate regarding how to teach reading.

If you want all children to read on grade level spend more money for more intensive teaching for the students who are falling behind, starting in kindergarten or better yet preschool.

While teaching fifth grade I was blessed with a good teaching assistant and together we taught five students who were non-readers. They wanted to learn to read and worked hard achieving three years in one year. Their classmates cheered them each step of the way.

Train the teachers, give them a variety of materials, and support their ability to individualize.

Janis Ramquist, Raleigh

STEM learning gap

The search for affordable summer camps decreases when these programs focus on STEM and environment-based enrichment programs. As a single mother who makes a bit more than $70,000 a year, I can barely afford camps on the lower end of $269 a week— about a months’ rent in this area for a two-bedroom townhome.

I can only imagine the financial burden these rates could have on families and parents who make less than that.

At a time when there is a need to diversify the STEM workforce, the cost for summer camp at the Museum of Life and Science is about $300 a week for nonmembers. Camps that focus on nature/the environment can be about $400 a week or higher.

If we really want to address the learning gap that exist between black children and their peers, the answer may not be in their traditional schools, but rather in what happens during the summer. Programs and area universities contribute to such inequality, particularly when learning to code can cost about $929 a week.

In the end, STEM continues to be more about what you can afford rather than a child’s ability.

Dawn Henderson, Chapel Hill

NC road money

Having operated boats for over 60 years on our coast I have delivered many boats up and down the inland waterway. In neighboring coastal states I have noticed that many bridges that have been replaced, even portions of bridges, have been preserved for public use as fishing piers rather than spending millions to tear them down.

In North Carolina, that money could be used to repair our roadways instead of lining the pockets of the “construction/destruction “ companies.

Ben Day Sr., Beaufort, N.C.