Telecommuting is here to stay. It’s time to rethink how NC highway money is spent.

Road spending

Regarding “COVID-19 pandemic reducing traffic in NC and the Triangle,” (Aug. 2):

It’s time to rethink the plan to widen 11.4 miles of I-40 between I-85 and the Durham County line. Telecommuting has expanded. Transportation funding has been cut because it depends largely on gas tax revenue. Many road construction plans are on hold.

Meanwhile, the planet continues to warm at an alarming rate. In addition, the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the least fortunate.

Governments at all levels should prioritize activities that slow global warming and address the needs of the less fortunate. This includes the state’s transportation budget.

It’s time to slow the building and widening of ever more highways for fossil fuel-driven vehicles to commute to work. Telecommuting is here to stay.

Al Howlett, Chapel Hill

Graham statue

It’s outrageous that North Carolina will be represented in the U.S. Capitol by a statue of evangelical pastor Billy Graham. Don’t forget his nasty anti-antisemitism shown most clearly a taped conversation with Richard Nixon.

Graham was an evangelical minster, but evangelical Christians comprise a minority of North Carolinians. What about the rest of us — the two-thirds of people who are not evangelicals and in many cases not Christian? Are we to be forced to be represented in the capitol by a statue representing a religious movement we are not part of and which at least some of us find odious? This is not right.

Peter Aitken, Chapel Hill

In-person schooling

As a retired teacher, I believe families should have a choice. Schools should be open for children in homes where parents work, where food is scarce, or where abuse and neglect are problems. These children need more individualized teaching.

Young students need to learn appropriate school behaviors and expectations. People are not giving credit to children for what they know and are capable of understanding. Children know to keep the mask on.

Schools should be open for the students who need individual teaching and perhaps needed therapies that are essential services. If a teacher has an underlying health issue they could be the ones responsible for online learning.

Lois Lindenfeld, Raleigh

Trump and Biden

Regarding “Counterpoint: Medical acuity – Biden vs. Trump,” (July 30):

I certainly agree with Marie Fischer’s suggestion that we need to know the full medical history of our candidates. Unfortunately we’re still waiting for Donald Trump’s. Aside from his bone spurs and ability to pass a dementia screening, we know nothing. Her description of him as “clear thinking, quick, sharp” with messages “always on point and not jumbled rambling,” makes me wonder who she’s talking about. Certainly not Trump.

Most of us are taking this election very seriously. That’s why Biden is ahead in the polls and why Trump is already calling it rigged. He did that in 2016 too, until he won. Then, it wasn’t rigged anymore.

Rosemary Harrell, Mebane

Sen. Thom Tillis

I read with amusement “Tillis, Cunningham attack each other’s records on taxes,” (Aug. 2 Forum). So lawmakers in 2001 raised taxes on the state’s highest earners. That was 19 years ago! Sen. Thom Tillis has only one line: “I’ll cut your taxes.” He projects his opponent will single-handedly raise taxes. That is the old, tired mantra Republicans have been intoning since I was eligible to vote, way back in ‘68. To use that tactic in this day and time is a worn out, substance-less excuse to vote for Tillis.

Ellen Canavan, Cary

Obama’s eulogy

For those who feel President Obama’s eulogy was despicable (Aug. 2 Forum), I know John Lewis was smiling. Obama’s remarks highlighted the upcoming struggles for voters in 2020. His remarks were “good trouble,” something Lewis advocated. Lewis believed our votes are precious and that voting is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.

So, though difficult for some to hear and accept, Obama’s remarks needed to be said. As Lewis said: “There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise.” This was the time!

Daphne Smith, Durham

Police officers

Regarding the Aug. 2 letter about police officers wearing ”bullet-proof vests, armed to the hilt.” In today’s world, it has become necessary for law enforcement to use the equipment that is provided for their safety. I don’t imagine officers enjoy having to wear these articles for protection since they are heavy and extremely hot. Perhaps those who question it would find it helpful to wear the equipment and ride with an officer for just one day. This may provide a better understanding of what law enforcement faces daily.

Georgie Brizendine, Raleigh