Letter to the Editor
Articles
NCGA's 'flattened' taxes aren't fair taxes
TO THE EDITOR: The N.C. General Assembly, with Gov. McCrory’s help, has done one thing well recently — propose and pass terrible legislation. In just a few months, they covered many conservative bases by repealing the Racial Justice Act, increasing abortion restrictions, loosening gun laws and proposing a voter ID bill. Now, the legislature is hitting North Carolinians with a more mundane sucker punch: a “flattened” tax code. The House and Senate compromise plan eliminates the established personal income tax structure in favor of a more regressive rate, reduces the rate on corporate income to a mere 3 percent by 2017 and eliminates important tax credits for low- and middle-income families. These kinds of changes are commonly referred to as “flattening the tax code.” It sounds nice — flatten taxes to make everything fairer. However, in reality, “flattening the tax code” means making rich people pay less and poor people pay more.
Congress must act on student loans now
Congress’ failure on student loans is symptomatic of a deeper problem with the prioritization of higher education and investment in infrastructure. And the disagreement over loan interest rates only draws attention to one of many facets of the student loan issue.
The NCGA is shaming North Carolina
If you are a North Carolinian and you’re not furious right now, then you must not be paying attention. Our prestige and reputation as the progressive “Beacon of the South” are under attack – and it’s making (embarrassing) international news. This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a human rights issue.
Battle against sexual assault far from over
Almost every day there are reports in various media of sexual violence. This problem seems ever-present, and UNC is still struggling to address it.
Merit-based admissions hurt UNC's mission
Arguments in favor of merit-based admissions ignore the realities experienced by, well, people who are not represented by those who determine the standards for “merit” in higher education.
Jane Austen would be sorely disappointed
This past weekend, UNC hosted a summer course at the College of Arts and Sciences, listed under “Programs in the Humanities and Human Values,” regarding Jane Austen — “Pride & Prejudice at 200.”
Out with Ye Olde
I was strolling down Franklin Street the other day. As I passed the courthouse, a homeless man said, “Spare change.”
Cuts to education funding miss the big picture
Sarah-Kathryn Bryan’s May 30 letter was a great response to the continued attacks on the funding of education in our state and our nation.
Moral Monday protestors are not extremists
Last week’s editorial characterizing Moral Monday as “an extreme leftist reaction” was completely wrongheaded. Protestors are defending policies that served our state well for decades — some for longer than our lifetimes. That makes them moderates or conservatives, not extremists.
Bill could increase access to local food
Throughout my three years at UNC I have found a lack of fresh, healthy food, especially in the dining halls.
