Difficult choices for voters this year

For the first time in years, we've got some difficult ballot choices in an "off time" election. Local citizens would benefit by giving them some thought.

For Democratic and independent primary voters, there are real choices in candidates for president and for state Senate. Corporate Clinton or Orator Obama? Perhaps the candidate whose income was more than $100 million in the last seven years will understand our cost-of-living concerns?

Locally we have the chance to let state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird know how much we value her. She has a close to 100 percent positive record on issues important to me: protecting the environment, civil rights and civil liberties.

She was critical in the state apology for the damages of slavery, and is hard working, understanding of our lives and absolutely honest. I've interviewed her frequently on my community radio show, and she has always answered my questions, even when we disagreed.

And then there is the real estate transfer tax issue. This is a way to raise money for schools, which would affect only those who are realizing profits on the sale of their real estate. Another hard choice!

More than anything else, be sure to get out and vote. -- David Bellin, Carrboro

UNC fan questions coach's loyalties

At what point did Roy Williams leave the Tar Heels?

Obviously it was before the Kansas game. I am an alumnus who has been with the Tar Heels since the 1960s through thick and thin, but that debacle with Kansas may have ended my loyalty.

Where was Roy? Well, we got to see him shortly after that with his Jayhawk shirt on and sitting with the Kansas fans. What message does this send to his team and to the fans? Where do Roy's loyalties really lie? I think he and the Tar Heel team owe the state of North Carolina a public apology for that ridiculous showing.

As for Roy, goodbye. -- Jan Green, Greensboro

High medical fees not hospital's fault

This letter is for all those questioning the seemingly excessive UNC Hospitals fees, especially in comparison to those observed from private practices and perhaps even private hospitals (see "Reader questions UNC Hospitals' fees," April 2).

Suggesting that the UNC Hospitals fees are due to covering the salaries of their CEO/senior administrative staff really demonstrates lack of understanding of the demise of the U.S. health-care delivery system.

The real reason why UNC Hospitals rates are so high is due to the fact that UNC Hospitals must provide care to anyone who enters its doors, insured or not. The "or not" is what is depleting your wallet. Until Congress develops a new health-care system where all U.S. citizens can receive adequate health-care coverage, expect to have higher bills from public hospitals. Remember the uninsured includes all illegal immigrants who don't pay taxes and have no health-care coverage -- they too are entitled to free health care from U.S. public hospitals.

The alternative? The hospital can vote to change its basic mission to provide care regardless of the ability to pay and, like private practices, they could then refuse care if you can't pay at the door. Just remember, that could be you if your insurance carrier won't pay. -- Pamela Victoria, Chapel Hill

Transfer tax has proven unreliable

A recent letter to the editor in your newspaper ("Counties flourished with land-transfer tax," April 9) praised some coastal counties for implementing the transfer tax as a solution to local budget issues. However, a closer look at the issue shows that the transfer tax -- also known as the home tax -- is not the answer.

The letter implied that a transfer tax would replace higher property taxes. That's absolutely not true. Of the six counties in northeastern North Carolina that have levied the tax, two have the highest property tax burdens in the state. In fact, Dare and Currituck are ranked first and third, respectively, in terms of property tax burden among the state's 100 counties.

The transfer tax is also an unreliable source of revenue because it relies on the volatile real estate market. Transfer tax revenues have fallen by as much as 53 percent over the last few years in some of the North Carolina counties that have the tax. Last year, Dare County commissioners were forced to cut capital reserve fund expenditures to adjust for a steep decline in land transfer tax revenue.

It's impossible -- and irresponsible -- to build a budget for schools, and other important programs and services around such an undependable source of revenue.

Further, it's blatantly unfair to single out one segment of the population -- specifically people selling their property -- to pay for infrastructure and other community needs that benefit everyone.

The bottom line is this: The transfer tax is a bad idea, unreliable and most certainly will not take the place of property taxes. On May 6, I encourage Orange County residents to vote against the transfer tax. -- Mark Zimmerman, Chapel Hill