Trump accused of running U.S. like 'You Bet Your Life'  

Why do I get the feeling President (Donald) Trump’s patting himself on his back as he conducts his presidency as if he were emceeing a high-stakes reality game show with American voters to  be used as collateral damage as we fight for survival in the updated, new and improved game called, “You Bet Your Life!” With apologies to Groucho Marx.

With tongue in cheek... Could war save the galaxy? 

I support school shootings because scared parents would homeschool at their own expense, which would encourage them to use contraception, reduce taxes on the childless, prevent school bullying by ending forced proximity, and make the empty buildings available for homeless shelters.

I also might join the Democratic establishment so I can denounce Russian meddling, spark nuclear war, and save the galaxy from human colonization.

I’ve been wondering what their goal was and finally got it figured out.

Governor says he fully backs teacher pay raises 

Today (May 16th), thousands of teachers marched in Raleigh to fight for our students, fight for our schools, and fight for our future.

And I’m with them.

My mom was a public school teacher, and if she were still with us, you better believe she would have been there today.

That’s how I was raised — to respect our public school teachers and to stand up for what I believe.

We need to stand up for public education in North Carolina. We need to invest in our future. Add your name here to support our teachers.

This one shouldn’t be difficult.

As parents and grandparents, we leave our kids in the hands of teachers for hours each school day.

We trust them with our children and grandchildren. We trust them to educate and support our kids. We trust them to keep our children safe.

And now we need to put our money where our trust is and raise teacher pay.

Add your name if you agree — our teachers deserve better! Thanks for all you continue to do.

DA expresses gratitude for his re-election in primary

Thank you, to the people of Buncombe County, all the volunteers and supporters, and to my family.Unofficial results for the primary election show that voters have re-elected me as district attorney.I ask all who have voted for reform, whether by voting for me or voting for my opponent, to join together now to continue to expand the equity and fairness of our local justice system.We can achieve much more when we work together.

Reader hopes (someday) for unselfish candidates

I was recently asked to be a third-party candidate for U.S. Congress. The seat had been held for a long time by my congresswoman, Louise Slaughter.

Very sadly, she passed away suddenly after suffering a fall in her home. It has always been my dream to run for Congress one day. I would especially like to make the case for a Canadian-style national health insurance program to cover all Americans.

However, I declined the offer to be the candidate of this third party. Here’s why:

Louise Slaughter had been good friends for about 40 years with a local office-holder.  He had just announced his candidacy to succeed Louise. I believe that no one should run against Louise’s friend in 2018 as a way to honor what Louise would have wanted. So I declined the offer.

I did not write this letter to promote myself. I did it because I want people to share my hope that someday we will have political candidates who will want to do the unselfish thing. Right now, we all know that we have very few who do.

Incidentally, I have now begun my campaign volunteer work for Louise’s good friend as he faces three challengers in a June primary election.