I am puzzled at the post-debate punditry about what Trump can do differently next time. To accomplish what? Hide the real person that he is? Convince people he hasn’t meant all the horrible and disgusting things he has said for the past 30 years (up to and including in the debate)?

The purpose of a debate is to allow people to make a choice based upon the substance of the differences between two candidates. To that end, Trump cannot possibly make it any clearer what he stands for, how vacuous his proposals are, and how out of touch he is with the real world and the problems we face going forward. So, suggesting he can “do better” can only mean that he might find a way to re-paper the wall of delusion he’s standing behind.

Yes, he HAS already built that wall, and we’re in danger of paying for it.

— Alan Menius

Salisbury

Citizens should vote on HB2

Don’t you think it’s time for a statewide referendum about this HB2? Let the people of North Carolina, not just the gays or the Politically Correct, express their views on this matter. We do not think you, sir, should use the women’s bathrooms just because you want to. If you were born a woman, you’re a woman; if you were born a man, you’re a man — get over it. Pampering this behavior for something you are not only increases the stress already present in people’s life. Get professional help and learn to accept things as they are.

The NCAA, the ACC, depend upon revenue from the people. They also are dependent upon student athletes willing to play. Since you have decided to punish North Carolina for having normal accepted views about sexuality; and should the people decide not to attend the events and students decide not to join the team, a change of mind might be in order. The behavior you are displaying toward the people of North Carolina is we intend to punish the people for not having our point of view.

The people that might have been employed to serve the public at these canceled events can thank you for their unemployment. Also the lost revenue at hotels and restaurants can thank you for your divergent single mindedness. Lost revenue at these canceled events might be reason enough to rethink your position.

A referendum by the people in support HB2 might not change anything but it would indicate I believe most people do not agree with your point of view. The favorite tool of Political Correctness is to attack and destroy all other points of view. This is reason enough for the people to resist the effort to destroy. No, we will not bake you a cake.

— Richard Roberts

Kannapolis

There’s a clear worst choice

Does the election pose a choice between the lesser of two evils? I don’t think so.

Many of the issues against Hillary have been cooked up by the GOP in their witch hunts, such a Benghazi.  And Donnie has such a bad past history of mistreating people, not paying people who worked for him, a pending trial for fraud in his Trump University, alleged rape, talking badly about minorities and women, and I could go on for lots of time. And why won’t he release his taxes? What is he hiding? Too cozy with Putin, is it that he has alliances and money lending issues from Russia?

His business dealings have been bad, four bankruptcies, he is known among his peers as a con man who takes advantage of everyone.  His temperament and the way he shoots off at the mouth is an early invitation to poor international relations and probably war. He gets offended by anything said against him, and then insults those who have said it.  How is that going to go over with diplomatic relationships?

No, it is not a matter of voting for the lesser of two evils. Donald Trump is the ultimate worst choice.

— Pat Bullard

China Grove