Immigration: We’re almost there. Congress, do your job | Opinion
Immigration
I’m almost 72, and it seems we’ve had the same problem at the U.S. southern border my entire life. Every time we get close to a real fix, politics scuttles it. Now, a portion of the GOP openly opposes the current bill because it will make President Biden look good.
I’m sick of juvenile behavior in Congress. I’m sick of adults acting like hormonal teenagers. We don’t allow our children to throw tantrums if they don’t get their way. Why do we allow our leaders to? Do your work, Congress!
Rick Wingate, Mooresville
Compromise
The Jan. 29 op-ed by former Republican Gov. Jim Martin supporting compromise on immigration legislation was on target and a sad reminder of the loss of wise, pragmatic leadership in both parties, but particularly on the Republican side, which is becoming a Trump cult.
We are a country of immigrants from all over the world whose families arrived at various times. Many cultures and traditions have enriched us. Scripture commands us to treat foreigners with kindness and welcome them. “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34). Yet, so-called “Christian nationalists” spew hatred towards immigrants seeking the freedom we take for granted.
I miss Gov. Martin’s leadership and that of other sensible people like him.
Ed Hinson, Charlotte
The No. 1 issue
With all due respect to the Forum writer who said she was voting for Jill Stein for president this year— and to anyone else considering a third party — I ask you to reconsider. It has been reported that it was third party voters who gave Donald Trump the presidency in 2016. It has also been reported that Russia pushed Stein’s candidacy through social media in hopes for a Trump win.
While I understand the writer’s displeasure at a Biden/Trump rematch, I would urge her and others to do more research. The Republican candidate is campaigning on revenge and authoritarianism. The Democratic candidate is running on democracy. For me as a voter, democracy is the No. 1 issue. Because once you lose democracy, you may never get it back.
Laura Reich, Charlotte
Impeachment
Republicans in the U.S. House voted Wednesday to advance their impeachment articles against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, moving closer to taking the rare step of impeaching a cabinet official. The controversial move would make Mayorkas the first cabinet secretary to be impeached in nearly 150 years. Yet, this is nothing more than another stunt to distract away from their inability to govern.
The Republican-led House has passed only 27 bills that became law, despite holding a total of 724 votes. In addition, Republicans would prefer to campaign on immigration issues rather than pass real immigration reforms under orders of their de facto leader, former President Donald Trump. This has nothing to do with governing, but everything to do with a stunt to gain power.
Ben Cook, Charlotte
Bully tactics
I am not proud of any leader who has made bully name-calling the norm in political discourse. Would Ronald Reagan or Barack Obama ever call a political opponent a “birdbrain,” as Donald Trump did Nikki Haley, or resort to that type of rhetoric, ever?
We need an emotionally mature leader, who chooses words carefully and talks of plans for our country instead of attacking opponents like a playground bully. Strong confident leaders know that it’s a sign of moral weakness to resort to bully tactics. Will this rhetoric make America great? Our children and grandchildren are watching.
Debbie Summers, Charlotte
‘A secret life’
Regarding “‘A secret life’: Panthers coach Dave Canales’ book about his marriage is an eye-opener,” (Jan. 31):
My hat is off to Panthers coach Dave Canales for the very personal and revealing book about his marriage. Goes to show that a “broken” marriage is indeed salvageable if the involved parties are willing to do the very hard work. And it takes two to follow that difficult path.
Dabney Vigor, Charlotte
