With new maps, NC GOP just canceled democracy in NC

Unfair GOP maps

Of the registered voters in North Carolina, 31% are registered Republican. Thursday, the Republican members of the N.C. House and Senate overwhelmingly approved three highly gerrymandered redistricting maps created by the Republican committee members. How does a political party turn 31% of registered voters into a landslide in their favor? It had little to do with math, logic or fair division. It was like magic — and like magic, the relevance of your vote has just disappeared. Democracy has been canceled in North Carolina.

Jane E. Kraemer, High Point

Infrastructure

Eight N.C. Republicans in the U.S. House have lined up on the wrong side of history again. This time, they voted “no” on the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed in the House after months of deliberation. Even N.C. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis realized the value of this bill when the Senate approved it in August.

The bill will bring nearly $9 billion in federal funds to North Carolina over the next five years for critical infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transportation, broadband internet, ports, airports, and climate resiliency (including flood mitigation).

Some of the Republican representatives who voted against it also voted not to certify the 2020 election results and voted “no” on the American Rescue Plan. The scorecard for this group is not looking good. Voters in their districts should pay close attention to who is really looking out for them.

Laura Stillman, Raleigh

Madison Cawthorn

Right before the House vote on the infrastructure bill N.C. Rep. Madison Cawthorn tweeted, “Vote for this infrastructure bill and I will primary the hell out of you.” I’ve had it with Cawthorn’s threats and inflammatory rhetoric. He does not speak for N.C. voters, and now more than ever voters need to speak out against how Cawthorn is representing constituents in our state. He is up for re-election in November 2022.

Stephen Berg, Chapel Hill

Durham, guns

Regarding “O’Neal says gun violence, community safety are priorities,” (Nov. 4):

The incoming Durham mayor plans to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. That seems unlikely to address the problem of illegal guns. But here’s something the mayor and City Council can do about illegal guns: Hire more police and support them. I am not optimistic they will take this commonsense approach — and that means more people will be shot with illegal guns.

Prayson Pate, Durham

Wealth, taxes

Regarding “Taxing the rich,” (Nov. 7 Forum):

We taxed people of great wealth heavily in the 1950s, under a Republican president, and had a far more vibrant economy.

Business is the engine that drives the economy. Conservatives want to detach the locomotive and let it speed away while the rest of us stagnate. As a practical socialist, I merely wish to keep the locomotive hitched to the train as Republicans did when I was born.

We have to attack this intolerable deficit from both ends with new revenue and humane cuts in spending before we sink into default. Instead, Republicans continue to countenance concentrations of private wealth while Democrats borrow and spend like lunatics. When the chickens come home the Strategic Air Command won’t have the firepower to stop them.

Jonathan C. Halperen, Raleigh

Public transit

I completely agree with the Editorial Board on “The case for free bus fares in North Carolina cities,” (Nov. 5 Editorial).

As an experiment early this year I took GoRaleigh to get to work. While I loved it, unfortunately using public transit made my commute six times as long, which was unfeasible. Now that my lease is almost up, I am looking to move downtown where I hope to eschew my car and utilize public transit.

Not only will it save me money, but it will get my blood flowing with a walk or bike ride to and from the bus stop, and — the best part — not having to deal with traffic.

Greater transit access will not only benefit those who are lower income, but also those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, those looking to build exercise into their day, and those who just hate traffic!

Liam Youngblood, Raleigh