A Thom Tillis tell-all on MAGA? That’s laughable | Opinion
It’s laughable that Thom Tillis is authoring a tell-all book about the weirdness of MAGA. He certainly spoke loudly enough but then failed miserably in his duty to actually do something about it. He spoke of the moral high ground but ultimately traveled the well-worn path of least resistance and bent the knee. He single-handedly could have stopped three of the weirdest and least capable of Trump’s appointees.
Read more Théoden Janes: Can you drive across Charlotte without Flock seeing you? I tried.
Philip Solomon, Charlotte
Paige Masten uses the July State Auditor’s report to argue odd-year municipal elections aren’t worth the expense. While State Auditor Dave Boliek claims this report is “simply informational,” there is a clear underlying effort to shape public opinion against a local voting system that has successfully served North Carolina for over 50 years. Using extreme data outliers — like Camden County’s $1,517 per vote — is designed to make local democracy look like a financial burden. But “worth” is a civic judgment, not a line item on a fiscal ledger.
Concord transitioned to nonpartisan municipal elections in 1995, building on statewide election changes from the 1970s. These neighbor-to-neighbor races simply do not fit the mold of even-year partisan election cycles with complex party primaries. Blending them alongside polarized national contests will cause total chaos, burying community voices beneath national attack ads.
Scott Padgett, former mayor, Concord
Gene Nichol’s big-government plea for free services failed to mention that in 2000, roughly 17 million Americans received SNAP benefits. Today, in 2026, that number has ballooned to approximately 42 million.
Surely even Nichol would admit that there hasn’t been a 150% increase in actual “need” for free food. At some point, shouldn’t we at least question whether the dramatic growth in the program reflects genuine need—or something else like redistribution?
Mike Howard, Waxhaw
With record temperature highs around the world, heat deaths and raging wildfires, climate change is no longer deniable. Almost every climate scientist concludes that carbon dioxide production from fossil fuels is a major contributor. Cleaner energy is clearly needed.
It is therefore incredible that the Trump administration is so in denial that it is spending about $4 billion in tax dollars to prevent companies from developing wind power while encouraging investment in natural gas and other fossil fuels. That is literally pouring gas on the fire.
Read more For Bryce Young and the Panthers offense, that was an embarrassing performance
Vincent Keipper, Concord
The EPA is proposing to remove the minimum requirement to notify the public and allow their comments on new minor air pollutant construction projects. “Minor” is a misnomer here because in cities and residential communities these sites often greatly outnumber those of the alternative “Major” category.
If this new rule is passed, not only could communities like Charlotte lose the right to speak about new pollutant sources being built in their own backyard, they could lose the right to even be told about it in the first place.
Adam Gaehling, Charlotte
After a criminal justice degree and 38 years with NC Adult Correction, I have dropped the ball on staying in the know about what is going on around me in Charlotte.
Flock cameras surprised me and I understand local law enforcement utilize them. Surely every time someone is stopped or investigated by the use of these cameras, CMPD posts a list of instances on their social media page on a weekly, monthly schedule?
Such transparency would provide oversight and ensure that this Big Brother tactic is never used inappropriately. If necessary, redact any personal information.
Read more A Thom Tillis tell-all on MAGA? That’s laughable | Opinion
Kathryn Mast, Charlotte
