To the Editor:

Overall quality of life in North Carolina has drastically deteriorated during the past four years due to Republican driven legislative policies.

Our public education system is struggling to meet the needs of our children in overcrowded classrooms, with too few and outdated textbooks.Our Republican governor and state legislature rejected Medicare, denying coverage to 500,000 North Carolinians. Hospitals are strapped financially and burdened trying to care for uninsured sick people. 

Our tax burden has shifted to average citizens. One example is the increased tax on admission to all forms of entertainment. The number of days allowed for early voting has been reduced. Other measures have been enacted restricting citizens’ democratic voting rights. 

State and local government offices are operating with greatly reduced staffs. The Macon County staff issuing drivers licenses has dropped from five to two workers. All this is happening while the population of Macon County continues to grow. 

Republican controlled state government has passed legislation declaring local environmental ordinances null and void. State law, co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, allows fracking for gas anywhere in North Carolina.

Considering what Republicans have done in the last four years, can North Carolina’s citizens afford to suffer under another two years of Republican dominated government? Do we really want big government using our tax dollars supporting unaccredited, religious schools, increasing taxes for average citizens while giving tax breaks to the wealthy, overriding local environmental ordinances and restricting our democratic voting rights? 

The list goes on and on. We the people still have a voice and a choice. Exercise your constitutional right in our democracy. Go to the polls and cast your vote for change. 

Margery Abel

Franklin