Tillis must pressure Trump to use the DPA to make life-saving equipment

Tillis and DPA

Sen. Thom Tillis needs to act now and pressure President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to compel companies to produce goods to fight the coronavirus.

There is a desperate need for life-saving equipment such as ventilators, gloves and face masks. So much so, that many leading N.C. hospitals are asking citizens for assistance acquiring equipment, some even willing to accept hand sewn masks.

By allowing the free market to resolve the problem, Trump is forcing states to bid against each other, bid against other countries, and in some cases, compete against the federal government for the same equipment.

Tillis’ failure to act and deliver for citizens and the more than 400,000 health care workers in North Carolina will not be forgotten in November.

Dean Riddick, Raleigh

Gun buying

I have taught firearms safety and marksmanship for over 40 years. Reading that people say that they are buying a gun because they fear getting in an argument in the supermarket makes me cringe. If I were selling guns and heard someone say that I would not sell them one because they are too unhinged.

There is plenty of merchandise in the supply chain, including toilet paper. The problem is with those who buy in quantities they won’t use in a year or more. Deliveries cannot keep up, so it appears the product is in short supply. It’s not.

What is in short supply is decency, fairness and common sense. Get a grip folks. Your stupidity is showing.

Robert Porreca, Hillsborough

Seniors and RMD

I want our lawmakers to address the serious financial problem that Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) regulations are causing for seniors during this time.

My retirement account has lost at least 30% of its value. Now, the RMD mandate requires that I take about 6% from the balance in the account before year’s end.. The withdrawal, amid the current stock market problems, would reduce my account value by almost 35% to about what I had 10 years ago.

Lawmakers must find a way to allow seniors not to take take an RMD in 2020 and eliminate the outrageous penalties the law imposes if seniors fail to take one.

Mario Duque, Oxford

Remove Trump

Can we all agree finally that this president is an imminent risk to this nation and its citizens? After suggesting we resume normal activities to restart the economy much sooner than experts say, he is by definition putting the lives of millions of Americans at risk. When will our elected representatives see what has been so obvious — Donald Trump should be removed from office to save this nation.

Robert Leadbetter, Pittsboro

Trump acted quickly

Regarding “President Trump,” (March 26 Forum):

It is simply not true that President Trump “considered (coronavirus) a hoax for two months.” On Jan. 17, the CDC was doing public health screening of passengers from China at three airports: San Francisco, JFK and LAX. On Jan. 20 Dr. Anthony Fauci announced efforts to develop a vaccine. On Jan. 31, the president declared a public health emergency, restricted travel from China, and suspended entry into the U.S. for foreign nationals at risk of transmitting the virus.

Tom Myers, Raleigh

Unnecessary delay

Regarding “Speaker Pelosi,” (March 26 Forum):

This letter made me wonder if the writer was also a fan of the TARP bailout of 2008. That initial Senate package gave billions in bailout relief to big corporations without transparency and oversight, and no reporting on how the money was distributed for six months.

And, where was the outrage at Mitch McConnell in mid-March when he sent the Senate home for the weekend before they could vote on a House-passed coronavirus bill? The majority leader’s actions caused an unnecessary delay in the passage of that bill.

Charlie Porter, Willow Spring

Gene Nichol

Regarding Gene Nichol “It’s time for all Democrats to embrace Joe Biden,” (March 23 Opinion):

During the 2016 election many Democrats proudly displayed lawn signs that said: “Hate has no home here.” It seems to me that hatred of President Donald Trump lies deep in some of their hearts.

Hillary Clinton’s defeat still cannot be accepted. Obviously many Americans were tired of politicians and elected a businessman to run the country. Trump has improved the economy and lowered the poverty rate, as promised during his campaign.

During the coronavirus pandemic the country needs bipartisanship and pulling together.

Wayne Cunningham, Emerald Isle

Presidential lies

I find Gene Nichol’s comment describing President Trump as a “compulsive liar” interesting, particularly since I clearly remember President Obama reassuring the American public by saying ”If you like your doctor, you’ll be able to keep your doctor.” How soon we forget.

Lesley E. Finnegan, Wake Forest