Learn more about how North Carolinians feel about democracy and how cutting some federal college programs “isn’t budget discipline. It’s door-slamming…” Add two insightful opinions to your reading this week as well.
Poll: North Carolinians weigh in on key principles to American democracy as nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence from Catawba College News Service
SALISBURY — As the United States of America begins its 249th year of independence, strong majorities of North Carolinians believe that certain liberties and rights are important to the nation’s civic society, based on a Catawba College-YouGov survey. North Carolinians were asked their opinions regarding the level of importance of 16 principles related to rights and liberties, many of which are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. While strong consensus exists among North Carolinians on these democratic principles, sizeable partisan differences emerge regarding nearly half of the listed fundamental freedoms.
This is the first of three survey findings highlighting North Carolinians’ opinions on core principles of American democracy. Other findings will focus on North Carolinians’ attitudes regarding principles of governing authority and civic participation. Nine out of 10 North Carolinians said that five rights were the highest in the level of importance (‘very’ or ‘somewhat’), with four of the top five being rights associated with criminal law: At 91 percent, ‘when charged with violating the law, evidence must be presented in an open and transparent manner within a court of law’ had the highest level of importance among the 16 rights and liberties. At 90 percent of importance, ‘citizens have basic rights and processes that the government or governmental officials must respect.’ Also, at 90 percent of North Carolinians expressing importance were the criminal rights of a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the right to a jury of peers, and punishment only after an open and fair process…
Don’t lock out opportunity: TRIO cuts are class warfare on college dreams by Matt Meyers
That’s where TRIO comes in. Our federally funded Student Support Services (SSS) program provides academic coaching, mentoring and guidance that help students persist and graduate. Without TRIO, many of our students wouldn’t earn their degrees. Some wouldn’t even apply. Now, TRIO is on the chopping block. The House-passed federal budget proposes eliminating all TRIO programs, cutting $1.2 billion from one of the country’s most effective college success efforts. This includes SSS, which supports students across more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Let’s be clear: this isn’t budget discipline. It’s door-slamming…
Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2025/07/24/dont-lock-out-opportunity-trio-cuts-are-class-warfare-on-college-dreams/
Letter: Just say no by Richard Evans
Trump should change his party’s name to the Republican’t Party. Nobody in his cabinet can have an independent thought or form an opinion of their own; and total blind loyalty to their master is the only way they can get the job. The only hope for the elephants in the Senate of re-election is to vote for confirmation of any and all unqualified morons the idiot-in chief sends their way. The majority in the House is bound to vote for a trainwreck of a bill, even if they don’t read it. Take it from a long-gone member of your party, Nancy Reagan. Just say no! Just one last thing, a question. How can you defame a person who has the unmitigated gall to nominate Evil Bovine for a lifetime appointment to a Federal Court judgeship? A person who has been convicted of 34 felonies, been found liable for sexually abusing a woman; and ordered to pay $5 million. By the way, defame means to smear someone’s good character and/or reputation. Neither of which Donnie has. Thank you WSJ for standing up to the wannabe King.
Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2025/07/22/letter-just-say-no/
What will you choose: Chaos or community? by Rev. Dr. Regina Dancy
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. titled his fourth and final book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community.” If you have not read it, I strongly encourage you to do so. Although King authored the book more than 58 years ago, it could still serve as a road map for moving this country forward into a more inclusive, welcoming and equitable place for all of humanity. Dr. King shared his thoughts for how America’s future should include better jobs with higher wages, decent housing and quality education for all children. He highlighted the chaos that comes forth from laws and policies that seek to divide and separate people from each other based on race, gender, religion and socioeconomic status. In this book Dr. King introduced the “moral fusion movement” which entails uniting across all demographics to bring about the “liberty and justice for all” as opposed to moving forward in chaos…
Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2025/07/22/what-will-you-choose-chaos-or-community/