Sen. Ted Budd stood up to Trump for WNC? It’s too little, too late | Opinion
Regarding Paige Masten’s opinion article “Ted Budd finally stood up to the Trump administration. . .,” I have thanked Budd for this small step toward long-awaited Article I leadership, but assuming his story is complete, it falls far short.
A total of $44 million was received, while NC needs $13.5 billion. That equates to 0.325%! Due to Budd’s “uncharacteristically bold move,” this portion comes eight months late on Republican’s promises. Moreover, are Tarheels to believe this minuscule proportion of what Congress approved is truly a win for a senator? His victory lap makes me wonder: was this an orchestrated gaslighting game that Trumpism is well-known for?
Our western neighbors are still in crisis, and they deserve better from our powerful swing state senators now as do all Tar Heels.
Derek Efird, Cary
Real causes
Children, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, were killed by gun violence weeks before Charlie Kirk’s shooting. While Republicans voice outrage at Kirk’s killing, they ignored the children’s deaths, as they do with many shootings. Republicans continue to prevent reasonable gun control, ensuring violent felons, gang members, domestic violence perpetrators, the mentally unstable and children all have easy access.
Murder is never justified, and Kirk’s killing was a senseless tragedy. Sadly, instead of addressing gun violence, the MAGA crowd is using Kirk’s shooting to persecute people who disagree with their hate filled view.
A president with a long history of calling for violence against his critics now blames everyone but himself for this heated rhetoric. We’re not focused on real causes.
Ben Edwards, Chapel Hill
Typical Barnett
Ned Barnett is wrong, as usual, in his Sept. 10 column. He accuses Republicans of politicizing the killing of Iryna Zarustska in Charlotte. He takes issue with Republicans contending the killing was the result of Democrats’ soft crime policies.
How else can you explain why the accused, with prior convictions, was still walking the streets. His last brush with the law resulted in him being released from jail on a written promise to appear in court.
Barnett needs to read Andrew Dunn’s Sept. 10 column. Dunn asserts the only acceptable response to this crime is outrage. He is spot on. Barnett‘s piece was dead wrong
Vincent DiSandro Sr., Hillsborough
True progress
I recently witnessed the strain caused by wait times at the DMV while accompanying a refugee to a driver’s test. For working-class families, these delays mean losing at least half a day’s work. The burden is even heavier for those living in deep poverty, where the lack of reliable public transportation forces many to spend 65% of their income on housing and transportation.
State leaders celebrate North Carolina as a hub for business and professional opportunity. True progress is not measured by corporate growth, but by people’s access to affordable housing, reliable transportation, quality healthcare, education and jobs paying a livable wage.
Manzoor Cheema, Raleigh
Raleigh’s future
Raleigh’s future depends on embracing dense, walkable, mixed-use growth. Aging suburban infastructure costs more to maintain than it brings in. Without new development near downtown and transit corridors, residents will pay higher taxes with fewer investments in parks, greenways, arts and services.
Mixed-use neighborhoods use less land and resources, making them better for emergency services and utilities. They generate more tax revenue per acre than low-density neighborhoods. Tall, mixed-use buildings near jobs, parks, and transit foster vibrant communities, making the city more attractive and affordable.
Raleigh can’t afford to succumb to status quo defenders. City council should embrace density, diversify housing and encourage taller, walkable, mixed-use development. This will broaden Raleigh’s tax base and ensure its future.
Eric Braun, Raleigh
Durham chief
Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews wrote a post on her personal social media page for her friends. Her post had nothing to do with being chief. Her post pointed out that as a Black woman she was discriminated against by Kirk. He stated he didn’t believe in the word empathy.
She empathized with his tragic death. What in her post created a furor for her to resign? Stand strong, Patrice. I support her, and I am sure many do who are sickened by this “witch hunt” of anyone who dares to tell the truth.
Lynne Raha, Raleigh