NC lawmakers must stop ignoring voters on gun reform

Gun safety

What will it take for N.C. lawmakers to pass gun safety reforms? What is their death threshold?

At the Oct. 23 Raleigh shooting vigil, Gov. Roy Cooper rightly called on lawmakers to pass gun safety reforms. We voters have made grave misjudgments in electing some leaders who are not listening. Stop ignoring us. You have failed to keep our children and our neighborhoods safe. Either support Cooper’s gun safety reforms or get voted out.

Red flag laws (HB 525), firearm storage accountability (HB 472), mental health investment (Federal Bi-Partisan Gun Safety bill funds), background check implementation, long gun permit requirements (HB 623), assault weapons monitoring — these policies make us safer and place a necessary check and balance on buying, selling, storing and using lethal weapons.

Lawmakers cannot hide behind a 231-year-old amendment anymore. The people of North Carolina are at a singular moment in history, demanding a change.

Sylvia G. Burns, Durham

Return to truth

What is needed most in this congressional election is a return to decency and the spoken truth.

Politics has always stretched the truth, but decency and truth went off the rails with the emergence of Donald Trump.

I didn’t leave the Republican Party, it left me years ago. The party has been hijacked by extremists. These are not conservatives like Reagan, Bush, Ford, Dole and Goldwater. Too many are insurrectionists bent on eliminating our democratic republic, the consequences of which would be unthinkable.

If this treasured form of government is to be saved it will be up to the unaffiliated and “real” Republican voters to do so.

George Brooks, Durham

A show of respect

I was outside my early voting site when a woman approached with campaign material for the “other” party. “No thanks,” I said. “I’m sorry!” “No need to apologize,” she replied, “We all live together.”

That kind, respectful comment is an important reminder for people of both parties.

Marjie Srsic, Raleigh

Inflation, elections

Yes, inflation is a brutal fact for families — recognized as a global problem. Republicans jumped on inflation as key reason to vote for them, but other than blaming Democrats where is their solution?

Republicans plan to eliminate the new 15% corporate tax and insure continuation of Trump’s $2 trillion tax cuts for the wealthy. Then to pay for that revenue loss, they plan to repeal the new prescription drug benefits and sunset both Social Security and Medicare. People at the top will gain, but the vast majority of America will feel this in their pocketbooks as yet more inflation. And, election deniers are on a path to effectively nullify your votes in future elections.

Inflation typically cycles up and down. But once you’ve lost your vote, democracy is over. Yes, elections, especially this one, could have dire consequences for America.

Bonnie Cramer, Raleigh

Protect democracy

Democracy is on the ballot in the midterm election. As a small business owner, I understand that a strong economy requires a strong democracy. After all, how can businesses responsibly plan for growth and create jobs without a stable government? How can we hold policymakers accountable for addressing business issues when gerrymandering ensures reelection? We can’t.

A recent Small Business for America’s Future survey found that 78% of small business owners are very concerned about the state of our democracy, and 73% strongly agree that “when a well-functioning democracy is under threat, there are negative implications for the nation’s economy that harm small business.”

I’m glad the U.S. House passed legislation that would strengthen our democratic process against those who would try to subvert a presidential election. But more must be done.

I was born and raised in Raleigh and returned to the area after college to start my businesses. I love North Carolina, but we have work to do to strengthen our democracy at home and for the nation. So when you head to the polls Nov. 8, remember democracy and vote to protect it.

David Meeker, Raleigh

Antisemitism

Over the past few weeks, antisemitic fliers have been found spread across North Raleigh neighborhoods multiple times. This is especially troubling as recent studies have shown a 131% increase in antisemitic incidents in North Carolina between 2020 and 2021.

If you encounter these fliers, please contact the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary at info@shalomraleigh.org. We’ll share the incident with our partners, local government and law enforcement to help keep the Jewish community safe.

Though antisemitism focuses on Jewish people, it harms everyone. Built on conspiracy theories, hate and xenophobia, it spreads misinformation and undermines truth. When this happens without being checked, democracy and civil rights are threatened and all communities of different backgrounds and identities are at risk.

If someone invokes a Jewish stereotype, please speak up and explain why it’s wrong, just as you would with other stereotypes. Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem; it impacts all of us.

Amy Bush, President

Phil Brodsky, CEO

Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary