TO THE EDITOR:
Contrary to GOP candidate Cathy Wright’s letter to the editor, recent history shows us that North Carolina Democrats, not Republicans, are most committed to investing in public education.
When Democrats held a majority of seats during tough economic times, they minimized cuts to education by raising tobacco, alcohol and sales taxes.
The first two taxes were amply supported by public health concerns and reducing externalities, and 66 percent of North Carolinians support a further cigarette tax increase of $1-per-pack.
These taxes raised over a billion dollars and helped protect the public education budget.
When Republicans became the majority, they refused to consider increasing revenue, no matter how justified, and their cuts to education were much more severe.
As a voter, I agree with “The West Wing’s” Sam Seaborn when he said, “Education is the silver bullet … We don’t need little changes, we need gigantic, monumental changes. Schools should be palaces. The competition for the best teachers should be fierce. They should be making six-figure salaries. Schools should be incredibly expensive for government and absolutely free of charge to its citizens, just like national defense.”
Zach Ferguson
UNC School of Law
