Treat charters as private schools Concerns about the taxpayer dollars that go to fund Charleston County charter schools have long befuddled me. I find myself perplexed because the solution seems so simple. Although I spent my school years in the public school system, I have never felt — even in retrospect — that I received a subpar education. That education propelled me all the way to a master’s degree and a successful career in nursing. When charter schools came along, all they elicited from me was a shrug. But when I realized taxpayers were footing the bill, I was angry. If these schools operate nearly as independently as private schools do, then they should be funded similarly — through private dollars, not taxpayer money. I applaud Charleston County School District’s chief financial officer Daniel Prentice for his leadership and effort to rein in charter schools . I encourage him, the School Board and the Legislature to go even further by cutting funding from the taxpayers. A simple solution, but the right one. The taxes we pay for education are meant for our regular public schools, so let’s use that money to bolster and better them, and sever the relationship with charter schools completely. Let the parents of charter school students pay their own bills. Charleston County public schools deserve no less, and taxpayers deserve having our dollars invested in improving traditional public schools.

KAY STINE North Charleston In April, The Post and Courier published my letter to the editor about filing a missing persons report for some of our elected representatives. Thoughtful responses to constituents are also missing. I have sent emails to U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott regarding the president’s plan to accept a new Air Force One from Qatar . There are both practical and ethical reasons, from my perspective, on why this is a bad idea. Both senators replied with the usual form letter saying how much they appreciated my interest and would give full consideration to my views. But I didn't even receive a form letter from Rep. Mace. There was no explanation as to why this transaction was a good idea. I wanted to understand the motives behind their approval without first being too critical. There are aspects to government that the public doesn’t always understand but that can be found logical with explanation. When a co-equal branch of government is silent, that typically means it agrees. Even still, there was little public discussion by the majority party. With no reasonable explanation, what are the motives of the people to whom we’ve given the keys to our country? Is it possible that reelection is more important than thoroughly reviewing why something is being done and explaining it to their constituents? It is said that sunlight is the best disinfectant, but I fear we may have to file another missing persons report on the sun. It shines on our beaches, but not on our Congress.

BRUCE LANDSBERG Mount Pleasant Biden cover-up The media keep coming out with new revelations about former President Joe Biden’s physical and mental health problems during his time in office. Obviously, staff members must have known as they covered for him. This put our nation in danger and put us in a weak position. There is one person who could have prevented our country from having a lack of leadership as well as persuaded Biden from running for a second term. That person is his wife, Jill Biden. It appears that it was more important for her to enjoy the benefits of being first lady than for the United States to have a competent president. Now we must rebuild in response to the domestic and foreign issues that arose during Biden’s presidency.

ROGER STEEL Seabrook Island Send us your letters What’s on your mind? Join our community conversations and let your voice be heard by writing a letter to the editor. Letters can be a maximum of 250 words, and are subject to editing for clarity, tone and libel. They must include the writer’s name and city for publication, and a daytime telephone number for verification. Email your submissions to [email protected] or fill out the form on our online portal .