We know exactly who's to blame for all these food recalls

Who knew that making significant cuts to the FDA workforce, reducing domestic and foreign food facility inspections, allowing state reporting for some food contaminations to be optional and tracking fewer food-borne pathogens could have health consequences for the American public? Bon appétit! Arnie Grieves, Huntersville The provision in the state budget requiring schools to excuse students from their classes one to four hours each week for religious instruction will be unworkable and unnecessary. Most churches are already providing this opportunity each week in Sunday School and Sunday evening youth activities. Some members of the legislature need remedial instruction in our nation's proud history of religious liberty and the separation of church and state. We apparently need a new law here in North Carolina, and some other states as well, that will forbid the legislature from meddling in the religious life of our citizens. Thomas K. Spence, Jr., Sanford Can someone tell me when the Steele Creek area ceased to matter to greater Charlotte? Our police presence is minimal. The homeless situation is unchecked and gravely affects our major shopping center. Right outside a major cluster of subdivisions, power lines have been down to the ground for a week following a wreck. No warning tape, no supervision, just down to the ground. Should this community just reckon with the fact that we are forgotten? Benjamin J. Harris, Charlotte Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney continually displays an unbecoming pride, stubbornness and sense of self-importance that does not become a public servant. The truth is that Mayor Carney refuses to acknowledge that the voters no longer trust his word, nor do they want him to remain in office. Because of his poor judgment and actions, the mayor has embroiled Mooresville in several lawsuits and investigations. Our reputation is in tatters, and we have lost business because, as Commissioner Dana Tucker said, no one wants to do business in a town that lets the mayor's conduct slide. Mayor Carney has accomplished positive things for Mooresville; however, we cannot ignore the negative financial and reputational impacts to our town. Lynne M. Taylor, Mooresville Renaming Lake Ontario can definitely be seen as childish and clichéd, deserving of criticism. However, where was the outrage when schools, military bases, and professional sports teams underwent name changes? Mike Howard, Marvin Two years ago, most Americans voted Republican because the Democrats failed to bring down inflation. I will vote to give Republicans more time to get the economy back on track, and I ask everyone else to do the same. The Democrats have not proposed anything new that will solve the economic problem. In fact, they have doubled down on policies that caused the problem. Excessive federal government spending and federal government growth causes inflation. The US will defeat Iran sooner or later, and war spending will end. Iran will no longer block the Strait of Hormuz and energy prices will decrease. Vote Republican and hold them accountable to decreasing spending and growth. Wayne Campbell, Charlotte The daily news keeps highlighting the Iran war, higher gas prices, higher grocery prices and then from the heartland of America, the lost market for soybeans and corn. The farmers most recent issue is with the beef producers where the US will purchase foreign beef and sell it at a lower price to the consumer. This will have a huge financial impact on our beef producers. Next is tariffs that have contributed to higher prices up and down the line for consumer goods. Our car industry will be hurt by these tariffs. The news keeps referring to Trump's war, tariffs and higher consumer prices. I disagree and say this is the Republican's war and tariffs along with higher prices for goods. Ed Terrell, Charlotte This story was originally published September 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "We know exactly who's to blame for all these food recalls | Opinion."