Judge did right thing on Arizona immigration law
To the editor:
In response to Rich Lowry's Sunday commentary, "Hilarity in the courtroom": Mr. Lowry provides hilarity, all right, in his criticism of U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton's recent ruling striking down major parts of Arizona's immigration law.
The comedy, however, is not in the ruling, but in Mr. Lowry's analysis.
Mr. Lowry almost completely ignores the primary basis for Judge Bolton's ruling: that the Arizona law is unlikely to pass constitutional muster. Rather, he focuses on her reasons for issuing an injunction stopping its enforcement rather than letting the law stand until its ultimate defeat before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The funny thing is that Mr. Lowry doesn't seem particularly interested in defending constitutional principles here, since they're so very inconvenient to his position. The judge's position, however, is very reasonable. Given the likelihood that the law would be thrown out, it made no sense to let the law go into effect when, despite what Mr. Lowry and his blogger friend say, it could have a significant impact on the lives of legal, law-abiding residents, including American citizens, many of whom already perceive themselves as under assault by Arizona's fixation on illegal immigration.
Mark J. Kaswan
Las Vegas
Costly problem
To the editor:
Kudos to Rich Lowry and Kathleen M. Stone for their commentary in the Sunday Viewpoints section. They get it, whereas too many people don't get it, or are in denial over the many and massive problems illegal immigration has caused our country.
We must deny all free subsidies, take away the "anchor baby" citizenship provision, and make it difficult, if not impossible, for illegals to obtain employment. Then we will see a mass exodus of the freeloaders.
There are many studies published that show it is costing more than $338 billion a year to subsidize some 12 million illegals. Even if, as some people state, it would cost $200 billion over five years to round up and deport them, do the math. We would be way ahead of the curve, and be able to start paying down our debt, and work toward getting this country back on its collective feet.
Bob Shue
Henderson
Isn't it ironic
To the editor:
Harry Reid says that Sharron Angle resides in some "alternate universe." How ironic.
This is the same Harry Reid who believes there are no illegal immigrants working in Nevada. The same Harry Reid who won't enforce federal immigration laws against illegals.
The same Harry Reid who gave a standing ovation to President Felipe Calderon of Mexico after he publicly chastised the United States over Arizona's immigration law -- a law less stringent than Mexico's.
The same Harry Reid whose recent gargantuan financial reform bill leaves untouched the principal perps in our economic meltdown -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- whose lending policies caused Nevada's record-setting foreclosure rate.
The same Harry Reid who believes carrying water for President Obama and Nancy Pelosi on health care is more important than listening to his Nevada constituents.
Should I go on?
The alternate universe, Harry, is Congress. And you have dwelt there far, far too long.
Robert R. Kessler
Las Vegas
Not so gullible
To the editor:
When a conservative blogger posted selected bits of a speech by civil servant Shirley Sherrod out of context in an attempt to distort the truth, the public was justifiably outraged at her forced resignation and demanded that those responsible set the record straight. Unfortunately, it is happening again.
Sen. Harry Reid has posted carefully edited statements from his opponent on billboards throughout Nevada in an obvious attempt to distort Sharron Angle's views. For instance, Ms. Angle is quoted saying that it would not be her job as a senator to create jobs for Nevadans. Sen. Reid intentionally leaves out the rest of the statement in which she explains that it is a senator's responsibility to make it possible for private industry to create jobs, as private industry is what drives an economy.
Sen. Reid has also attempted to distort her views on religion and Social Security using the same unethical smear tactics. By the looks of the latest Review-Journal poll, which shows Ms. Angle gaining ground despite the attacks, Nevada residents aren't quite as gullible as our secretary of agriculture.
Matthew Kinney
Boulder City
Read it
To the editor:
In his Friday letter, Dave Kerns purported to spell out the duties of a senator. What he provided, however, was the oath of office (pretty much the same for many federal offices and the military). Accordingly, Mr. Kerns proceeded to draw erroneous conclusions about a senator's duties concerning business and health care.
The duties of a senator are enumerated in the sections of the U.S. Constitution pertaining to the legislative bodies. Mr. Kerns would be well-served if he read that document.
Michael A. Dimmick
Las Vegas
