Mitch McConnell reminds me of my son when he was 5. Changing the rules to win.

Mitch McConnell

When my older son was 5, he invented a game to play with his younger brother — a game he never lost. He simply changed the rules each time they played so he would win. That might be cute when you’re 5, but it’s downright treacherous when played by Mitch McConnell, the majority leader of the U.S. Senate.

There is no explicit rule requiring the Senate to wait until after an election to hold confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominations. But in 2016, McConnell asserted he was following the “Biden Rule” when he refused to hold hearings on President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland, a moderate, to the Court.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s final wish was that she not be replaced until a new president is installed. Not only is it clear that McConnell changes the Senate rules to suit his party, but it is equally clear that he has not a shred of common decency.

Vicki Ryder, Durham

A compromise

I am suggesting a compromise on the selection of the next Supreme Court justice. As in 2016, let the next president make the nomination. Then, since both parties will have been victim to this ad hoc and specious precedent, they can call it even.

And, since neither party can be trusted to take the right, fair or consistent course of action in the future, the next Congress should be charged with formulating bipartisan legislation that defines rules and regulations addressing this issue.

Just because one party can force a nomination down the other party’s throat, doesn’t mean it should.

The costs of proceeding down this present road will be very high and the ramifications felt for years. You may gain a justice, but definitely splinter and possibly lose the democracy.

Michael Tomalski, Raleigh

The court’s role

I was concerned with Sen. Thom Tillis’ erroneous Twitter statement that any jurist nominated by Joe Biden would “legislate … policies.” It’s been quite some time since I took a civics class, but I do recall that the courts — on any level — do not legislate anything. They interpret the laws that state legislators and federal representatives and senators enact. I hope this was merely an oversight and not a deliberate attempt to mislead constituents.

Lois Boynton, Chapel Hill

The CARES Act

So now the No. 1 agenda item for the U.S. Senate is to quickly confirm the next Supreme Court justice. This immediately takes precedence over passing the second CARES package, which has been waiting for Senate approval for a least four months.

So once again, the politics of power takes precedence over the politics of providing financial relief for thousands of struggling small businesses and millions of citizens whose family budgets have taken a big hit for over six months.

Bob Williams, Fuquay-Varina

Southern states

Regarding “COVID-19 positive test rates vary greatly among Southern states. Here’s how they rank,” (Sept. 17):

I was pleased to read last week that North Carolina was tied with Louisiana at a 5% positive COVID-19 test rate, the lowest in the Southeast. While it’s too soon for a victory lap, it does offer some assurance that Dr. Mandy Cohen and Gov. Roy Cooper have us on the right path.

It is also interesting to note that the three states with the lowest rates all have Democratic governors. The other seven governors are Republicans. This is not a coincidence.

I’m not suggesting that states with a Democratic governor are less affected by the virus, or suffer fewer deaths. COVID-19 is nonpartisan. But it does suggest that governors who take their guidance from Donald Trump can’t manage the pandemic as effectively as those who trust science and doctors. Take a look at our southern neighbor, or Georgia, or Florida. That’s where Dan Forest’s policies would have us.

Yes, masks, social distancing, rules about group assemblies, and phased school openings are all burdensome, but they save lives and will ultimately restore our jobs, economy and lifestyle more quickly.

Allan K. Green, Hillsborough

Andy Banks

Regarding “Body believed to be missing Raleigh man found in Virginia,” (Sept. 18):

Where is the outrage for the senseless murder of Andy Banks? He was an extraordinary, exceptional young man who had many friends, was accepting of everyone and was the kind of young man any parent would be proud to call son. He mattered. Where are the accolades for the men and women from law enforcement officers who solved this case quickly and arrested the man suspected of committing this unspeakable act. Don’t they deserve to be praised or is this not PC enough these days? What has happened to human compassion in this world?

Mary L. Moore, Raleigh