Opinion (572)
COLUMN: A health care price transparency win for the Trump administration
Written by Jordan Roberts
America’s convoluted, public-private health care system is filled with bad policies and inefficiencies. Government intrusion into the market has rendered it unusable and impenetrable for many. A lack of price transparency is one of the most glaring issues in America’s health care system.
Republicans are beside themselves with anger over the illegal toppling of Confederate monuments and the failure of Democrats like Gov. Roy Cooper stopping them. They railed against the lawlessness of the mobs invading cities. Donald Trump tweeted “LAW AND ORDER!” to signify his disdain for the protesters. Now, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is introducing a bill that would withhold federal funds from states that don’t defend monuments, including those to the Confederacy.
North Carolina’s “headline” unemployment rate in May was 12.9%. That’s the highest monthly rate since the Great Depression. But on a number of occasions during the month, I talked with North Carolina restauranteurs and other business owners who were struggling to fill vacancies as they reopened.
Freedom of speech ≠ Freedom from backlash.
Cause and effect is still real.
Social consequences are still real.
COLUMN: School's out. reactionaries hate that
Written by Thomas L. Knapp
If there's been one bright spot in America's COVID-19 experience, it's the near-complete shutdown of an expensive and obsolete government education system cribbed from mid-19th century Prussia.
If you are among the minority of North Carolinians who haven’t supported the expansion of parental choice in education over the past two decades — in the form of charter schools, open enrollment among district schools, and aid to private-school students who have special needs or modest household incomes — the challenge of COVID-19 presents you with an excellent opportunity to reconsider your position.
For years, my wife and I lived in apartments. We never had one with a balcony and, thinking back, I don't believe we ever had a patio. I'm not sure if it was just dumb luck or the fact that the apartments with balconies were in better neighborhoods and less affordable than the apartments we wound up in.
COLUMN: Independence Day in the midst of dictatorship
Written by James Bovard
How many Americans will greet July 4th Day with gratitude that their governor is no longer compelling them to “shelter in place” or “stay at home” so they can celebrate their freedom? Most of the media is ignoring the fact that this Independence Day is occurring under the most dictatorial restrictions of the modern era. But anyone who values their liberty must recognize the Great Political Unleashing that has occurred this year makes a mockery of the Founding Fathers’ intentions.
LETTER: Political disunity is a dangerous game
Written by Letter to the Editor Contributor
To the editor:
We are stuck in a strange political moment. This strange moment may turn into a dangerous moment.
What am I referring to? Our immense political division.
More...
With hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians out of work and millions fearful about their futures, state and local policymakers are about to encounter a parade of companies, industries, and special-interest groups asking for targeted tax breaks and other handouts.
OP-ED: Richmond graduates part of Summer Surge of military recruits
Written by 1st Sgt. Aaron Light (Ret.)
From June to September, large caravans of military recruits will migrate to their respective training centers. Even though we are in the midst of a global pandemic, the United States military must continue its mission and training.
Back in 2015, pressure was mounting to move Confederate monuments out of public spaces. The GOP’s white rural base was incensed, demanding we not erase history like those statues did when they were erected.
COLUMN: Afghanistan Bounties: Pot, meet Kettle (and turn off the stove!)
Written by Thomas L. Knapp
"American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan," claims the New York Times.
