2 weeks Ago
Can anyone explain to me why our driver’s license offices operate like Soviet-era bread lines? Our teen needs a driver’s license, and as of yesterday, there were NO APPOINTMENTS ANYWHERE IN THE STATE. The “best” option is for her to skip school (!) to see if she can be seen before the office closes. This is madness.
Credentialing drivers contributes to personal and state economic opportunities. Why are these offices so underfunded? It’s like living in a Third World country. Apparently, the N.
C. legislature, which is preparing to further eviscerate state agencies, only cares about scoring political points, not supporting we the people and addressing real problems we face, the way good government should. Driver’s ed used to be seen as a public good and was taught in high school.
We practiced three-point turns and parallel parking in a nearby lot. We never waited more than an hour to get our license. Since 2015, with understaffed private firms in charge, it’s “Game of Thrones” to get a spot — we had three adults call at the same time when registration opened to secure our child a space — for a blinking DRIVING CLASS! What the heck? People are also reading.
.. Listen up, Raleigh: CJ Munson Winston-Salem Dr.
Melissa Poulsen (letter, March 28) wants to preserve funding for HIV research. She’s apparently an expert on infectious diseases and really knows the subject. I can’t say she’s wrong, but we all want more tax funding for our own particular interests.
As a retired Marine and Naval aviator, I’d like more and better airplanes and weapons, but there’s only so much money to go around and the government is already spending more than that amount. We all have to take some of the pain. Finally, there’s another alternative: We don’t have to confiscate the value of other people’s labor through taxation and inflation; we can contribute voluntarily through the many private foundations or directly to those with whom the government contracts.
I do and I’ll bet she does, too. Michael Woods Kernersville Our national security adviser, Mike Waltz, doesn’t seem to be able to “advise” his way out of a wet paper bag. This guy should hire some eighth graders to help him with his security “technology” .
.. to help him from “sucking in” left-wing magazine editors onto his national security meeting chats as he decides which emojis (flags? strong biceps? praying hands? to include in his “unclassified” war plan chats.
Kent Boyles Greensboro Letter to our representatives, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Ted Budd and Rep.
Virginia. Foxx: You and I watch as President Trump makes more and more authoritarian moves. We are seeing our democracy fold before our eyes.
Dissidents are being quietly arrested. Alleged gang members are deported to foreign prisons without due process. An unelected billionaire friend of Donald Trump is dismantling departments established by Congress.
Unqualified Cabinet members — Trump loyalists — disclose sensitive military information on an unsecured internet platform. Trump directs federal action against law firms that have opposed him in court. Trump withholds federal dollars from universities to control their research.
Trump realigns the U.S. to support “murderous liar” (in the words of Thom Tillis) Vladimir Putin of Russia while alienating our allies in Europe and America.
It goes on and on. It is your duty to stand up against this anti-democratic action. Yes, you will be primaried.
But what’s more important, your political future or the future of the U.S.? You know what you should do.
Stand up for our country. Evan Ballard Elkin Thank you for today’s story about Judge Vickery, Phillip Skipper, Al Andrews and James Banner (“Winston-Salem couple experiences both sides of living organ donation,” March 27). As Fred Rogers told us, in times of stress look for the helpers.
This story of kindness and caring is just what our community needed today. Jessica Telligman Winston-Salem There have been many letters to the Journal recently complaining about ad-hoc government spending reductions, lamenting that people have been hurt by them. Yes, that is lamentable.
But, while there are serious constitutional questions about how these cuts are being done, the fact remains that cuts must be made. It’s inevitable. This is only a taste of things to come.
We owe $36 trillion, and we are adding to that shocking sum $2 trillion every year. The specialist in “Turnaround expert warns of Armageddon for US” (March 5) asked how much debt we can withstand: $40 trillion? $50 trillion? It’s not limitless. At some point, the chickens will come home.
There will be mandatory austerity measures. Essential programs will get hit, even Social Security. Especially Social Security, since that’s where the real money is.
The cuts will devastate this country. There will be more fiery letters. What we’ve seen so far is just nibbling around the edges.
The real pain is approaching. To avert that we need rational, measured spending decreases, the sooner the better. But cuts alone won’t do it.
We need tax increases too, and not just for the rich. We all must chip in. The rich are an easy target, but it’s fantasy to think we can balance the budget on their backs.
They have deep pockets, but not deep enough. We’re in a very deep hole. David Shuford Winston-Salem I’m writing in response to “The authoritarian endgame on higher education” (March 24).
The article makes an important point about the dangerous trend of undermining higher education, and how this threatens not only academic freedom but the future of our society. Education is the foundation of progress, equality and opportunity for all, and it must be protected from political interference. Higher education isn’t just about students on campus; it benefits everyone.
Universities fuel innovation, provide essential medical and scientific research, and help create pathways to upward mobility. The potential cuts to university funding, particularly in medical and scientific research, could set back breakthroughs that affect us all, from cancer treatments to solving global health issues. In addition, universities provide a space for diverse ideas and critical thinking, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy democracy.
The recent actions by the administration — such as targeting certain universities for political reasons —pose a direct threat to free speech and open debate. This undermines universities’ role in creating a society where everyone has access to knowledge, the freedom to question and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful solutions. It’s vital that we speak up in defense of education, as it benefits individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.
By supporting higher education, we are supporting the future of everyone. Lauren Hutchens Winston-Salem Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!.
