LETTERS: Republican voters not interested in truth
To the editor:
In response to Cherie S. Wood’s letter, it is possible that she’s not differentiating between fact and fable (“Democratic mentality,” Dec. 2 Review-Journal). President Barack Obama had a negotiating team working to bring home soldier Andrew Tahmooressi, and there was a successful outcome. Included was U.S. Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne, an Obama nominee representing the president.
The House held several hearings on Benghazi and concluded there was no dereliction of duty by Hillary Clinton. The Republicans shaved half a billion dollars from the State Department’s budget, despite being cautioned by Mrs. Clinton that it would weaken national security. Need I say more?
President Obama has issued 184 executive orders, compared with George W. Bush’s 291 orders. President Ronald Reagan issued 381 orders and gave amnesty to 3 million undocumented immigrants. The GOP also chooses to forget that President Reagan mandated that emergency rooms treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
An immigration bill has sat on House Speaker John Boehner’s desk for 1½ years, and he won’t call for a vote. The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the Affordable Care Act, and needless to say, the do-nothing GOP House has had more than 50 votes to dismantle it. What plan have they proposed? Perhaps they will offer us the same plan in which they partake.
Regarding same-sex marriage, now legal in 35 states, the Supreme Court declared that a ban is unconstitutional, as it discriminates based on sexual orientation. The objectors can take their case to the Supreme Court.
The GOP energetically pursued extending tax breaks for the top 3 percent. Who do you think will pick up the slack?
The voters who applaud Republicans like seals in a circus are not interested in truisms, immigration reform, equal pay for women or gun control. The Democrats will have to work alone, as the GOP obstructs efforts to improve America.
RO CHAPMAN
HENDERSON
‘Exaggerated’ threats
To the editor:
Gopal Rao’s letter refers to documented, worldwide broadcast Islamic terrorist actions as “hyper-exaggerated” threats (“Democrats deserved voters’ support,” Dec. 3 Review-Journal). I don’t know what watered-down news reports he reads. But if my brother or father or son were beheaded on a widely distributed video by an enemy nation, with the promise of more terror to come, I would do everything within my power to prepare for, repel and defeat that threat.
I suppose Mr. Rao would counsel those parents and siblings and spouses who lost those men to this “hyper-exaggerated threat” by telling them that they should turn the other cheek. After all, it was only a few murders.
JOE PANTOZZI
LAS VEGAS
Stretched military
To the editor:
The article on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gives all Americans something to seriously think about: Assad’s comment that the Syrian army cannot be in all places at the same time (“Assad expects long, difficult fight against Islamic State,” Dec. 5 Review-Journal). No army can be in all places at the same time, but U.S .foreign policy has American forces stationed around the world, seemingly trying to be in all places at the same time.
Ironically, this policy lessens, rather than strengthens, homeland security, U.S. resources and resolve. No one can be in all places, and the current role of police officer to the world is futile in the long run. Americans have to ask: How is adding more troops and firepower in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan going to make the U.S. safer? The truth is, it can’t.
Troops should be pulled out and the resources being used to prolong warfare should instead be used to make life better right here at home.
JOHN ESPERIAN
LAS VEGAS
