There is no ‘moderate’ in US politics. That went out with Truman and Eisenhower.

A moderate shift?

Regarding “North Carolina’s 13th district candidates get more moderate,” (Sept. 6):

The last time our politics were truly “moderate” was during the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies. Now, both parties have shifted far to the right — making the “center” a myth.

The GOP loves the shift, but even the Democratic Party leadership belittles its progressives.

It is not radical for government to: assure clean air and water, empower the IRS to collect taxes due from the wealthy, stop insulin profiteering, and provide “safety nets” to keep the unlucky from poverty.

However, it is radical for the GOP to withhold all votes from legislation that would benefit the people because it would be positive for the Democrats, or for the GOP to confirm Supreme Court nominees who were clearly lying under oath.

Thomas McKee, Cary

North Hills

Regarding “Raleigh leaders want more time on North Hills rezoning,” (Sept. 8):

Who is developer John Kane fooling? Kane Realty is willing to build 600-square-foot micro-units as part of its request for greater density in the North Hills area. That sounds great until you realize the “affordable” rent for these units will be $1,500 a month.

I suggest someone from Kane’s company walk around the North Hills area and ask how many employees earn $28.85 per hour — the hourly wage that would be needed to afford such an apartment.

Maybe you are impressed with the civic mindedness of Kane’s proposal, but I am not.

Rebecca Burmester, Raleigh

Wasteful bike lanes

With new people moving in every day we need more lanes for cars in Wake County. A portion of Pleasant Valley Road in Raleigh was a four-lane road for cars, but recently became essentially a two-lane road so that bicycles have two lanes. This cost a lot of time and money. There are thousands more cars than bicycles on the road and most of the cyclists say they don’t need any paint to show them where to ride. Please stop this wasteful use of taxpayer money.

James Blinson, Raleigh

Guns in school

The children who brought guns into the Hillside High School in Durham should indeed be arrested. However, we need to help these children realize that what they did was wrong and learn to live without a gun in their hand. I don’t think 365 days of suspension from school will help.

We are losing too many children through the cracks, children who with help could become productive citizens and not spend their lives rotting away in prison. Keeping children out of school is not the answer. Alternative education options are.

There is money to boost alternative education. We just need the leadership in the legislature to get off their high horse and fund it.

Julia Pietruszewski, Chapel Hill

Funding education

For nearly three decades the N.C. General Assembly has not complied with the 1994 Leandro decision, which says every child in this state has a right to a sound, basic education.

The funds to implement this decision have never been allocated, in spite of state budget surpluses. The state currently has a cushion of some $6 billion surplus dollars, more than enough to fully fund Leandro without raising taxes.

The real question is why the Republican-dominated legislature refuses to comply with the decision. Suggestions that the state can’t afford to are clearly bogus. There is only one conclusion: the General Assembly does not want to educate public school students and instead wants to direct tax money to vouchers for private schools, washing their hands of the constitutional rights of children in public schools.

Janice Parker, Chapel Hill

Justice Berger

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger feels that only the legislature has the authority to decide how funding mandated in the Leandro case is spent and is pursuing his stance in the N.C. Supreme Court.

His son, Phil Berger Jr., is an N.C. Supreme Court justice who may be voting on this issue. Phil Berger Jr. should withdraw from voting on this case as there could be a conflict of interest.

As a retired educator, I know that our schools need help to educate all children and special needs children need even more help. COVID already damaged our children’s’ educational progress and we don’t need any “help” from the legislators to push us further back. We need our legislature to be pro-education. North Carolina’s “rainy day” is already here.

Carolyn D. Davis, Raleigh

A lifeline for kids

The writer is school breakfast program manager for No Kid Hungry NC.

When kids face hunger, it has a long-term, negative impact on their ability to learn and stay healthy. Breakfasts and lunches offered during the school week are a lifeline for children from low-income families.

But school meal programs only work when they reach the kids who need them, and this year, due to a federal rule change, parents and caregivers must submit an application to receive free or reduced-price meals. Many families are newly eligible and may not know they qualify. I encourage them to contact their school district to apply.

Helen Roberts, Raleigh