Will GOP work together to defeat Obama? Re: “Newt: An idea-spewing machine, indeed,” May 18
As a die-hard Republican, when I see presidential hopefuls such as Newt Gingrich slamming an other Republicans this early in the game, I began to wonder if the party is going to work together to defeat President Obama.
Newt holds no punches and calls it like he sees it, and that is what we expect of our presidential hopefuls. Debate is how we become educated about each primary candidate and the issues he is likely to run on in the general election.
But I am convinced that 2012 is going to be a tough race, and that the Republican candidate — whoever he or she might be — will not only have to have “fire in the belly,” but also watch out for “foot in mouth disease.”
George T. Weir
Jacksboro, Texas
Illegal immigration should remain a minor violation
Re: “Gutless politicians are broken, not the immigration system,” May 12
Gregory Kane made an enlightening point when he compared illegal immigrants with drivers who “speed, tailgate and run stop signs and red lights.” Both are “illegal” acts, but which one is more of a threat to Americans?
After all, those reckless drivers pose a hazard to others on the road and on the streets, causing a risk of injury and death. On the other hand, stepping over an imaginary line from Mexico to Texas doesn’t hurt anybody. In fact, immigrants enrich this country financially, culturally and economically. Countless government and academic studies show that crossing the border is an innocuous act compared with more dangerous crimes, such as speeding or tailgating.
Although those like Mr. Kane who love Big Government want to increase the legal penalty for making that crossing, it should remain a minor violation.
Glenn Farber
Silver Spring
Those who make more should pay more
Re: “Soak the rich — developers, that is,” May 9
Mr. Jaffe makes the hard budget decisions seem so easy. Thankfully he isn’t our mayor. He castigates other media for not waking up to the homeless problem, but I don’t remember many of his columns on it.
Jaffe now supports raising commercial real estate taxes. Who does he think pays those taxes besides businesses and nonprofits like the one I run, where the increases are passed along to renters? His hypocrisy is amazing considering his recent unequivocal support for a Republican D.C. Council candidate who opposed such tax increases.
He criticizes Mayor Gray for supporting teachers in his budget. Should we fire teachers and increase class size just as we are gaining students for the first time?
And Jaffe’s discussion about the rich paying more than their fair share for services they don’t use is ridiculous. Of course those who make more pay more. That is what a progressive tax system is all about.
Peter D. Rosenstein
Washington
