Printed letters, February 7, 2012

By Staff
Tuesday, February 7, 2012

ASSET bill would be
mistake for Colorado
I wanted to respond to the Jan. 29 editorial, calling on Colorado legislators to support the ASSET bill, which would grant reduced tuition for the children of illegal aliens. The editorial suggests a disconnect between the economic benefits to our nation from immigration, and opposition to the ASSET bill, SB15. It then goes on to say that in order to qualify for the bill’s tuition break, applicants must, among other things, sign an affidavit saying they are seeking legal status.

One of the problems with this and similar measures is that, in order to attain that legal status, these individuals, under current law, must first return to their home countries to begin the process. Furthermore, since their presence in the United States was unlawful, most will be barred re-entry for up to 10 years. If they choose not to follow through on their commitment to legalize their immigration status, they still will not be utilizing their education here, as they will not be lawfully allowed to work — unless they illegally obtain a social security number.

As to the contention that there is little evidence that such a program will encourage other illegal immigrants to move to Colorado, the “evidence” that the editorial submits to try to refute that claim does just the opposite.

The numbers cited in the editorial accurately reflect that illegal immigration drops when incentives — such as job availability — are reduced. So why would we wish to introduce a new incentive?

This bill will afford children of illegal aliens opportunities not afforded to other Colorado kids — children of recently posted military families for instance—– paid for in part, despite what the editorial mistakenly claimed, by the Colorado taxpayer.

The son (or daughter) should not be held accountable for the sins of the father (or mother); but neither should they unfairly benefit from them. I am solidly against wasting our children’s assets with SB15. The bill is at best dysfunctional; at worst it is unconstitutional, and as illegal as the initial act it rewards.

SEN. STEVE KING

Grand Junction

Republicans are wrong about Laura Bradford

When will Republicans stop cannibalizing their own? Laura Bradford made a mistake. She apologized. The Denver Police stated that she did not ask for any legislative privilege. Yet there are those in the Republican Party who initially demanded that she resign.

Did she commit a heinous crime? Did she steal, vandalize, cheat, murder, etc? No. Did she, as an imperfect human, make a stupid mistake? Yes. Has any of us, who are human, never made a stupid mistake? Of course not.

As a human who has made stupid mistakes in the past, I say, “Hang in there Laura. Don’t let the apparently perfect moralists destroy your career.”

MICHAEL LOWENSTEIN

Grand Junction

 

Apology to Bradford was way off base

The Daily Sentinel was way off base with its editorial on Feb. 2 regarding Laura Bradford. There is a much bigger picture here and it was missed by the editor.

She was stopped by a Denver Police officer because she appeared to have been drinking. She admitted she had three glasses of wine — end of story. What did or didn’t happen after that point is irrelevant. 

She got behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and drove.  There is a law against drinking excessively and driving and we count on our police officers, trained professionals to enforce that law, regardless of who is breaking it.

The officer who stopped Bradford that night was in a no-win situation and the representative put him there. I believe she is willing to admit that, but others have since jumped on the bandwagon looking to place blame elsewhere.

There should have never been a question about whether the Denver Police Department handled the situation in a professional manner, so shame on the editor of the Sentinel for suggesting it didn’t. 

In an attempt to take the heat off Bradford, the attention has been placed on law enforcement regarding the weapon Bradford had in her possession. At this point, it should not be an issue.

There was a weapon that night. It was in a car that bore the license plate of the state of Colorado and was being driven by an elected representative of this state. Bradford has been entrusted to make and keep the laws for the safety and well-being of those living in Colorado.

Placing blame on someone else is cowardly. I offer my sincere “thank you” to the officer who was doing his job and pulled her over before she or someone else was injured or killed.

LINDA SAUNDERS-MARTINEZ

Grand Junction

 

Atheists’ efforts are destroying our country

Our constitutional republic is under attack from many directions, but those from within present the greatest danger.

Three item in the Jan. 28 edition of The Daily Sentinel offer examples of this danger. Two of them are obviously connected — articles regarding public prayer on pages 2A and 6A — and one more subtly connected — the Doonesbury comic on Page 6B.

Thomas Jefferson addressed all three in 1774. “The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”

Atheists, in their fervor to destroy Christianity, are only destroying themselves and our republic. Their mindset will not sanction the Declaration of Independence being shown or studied at government schools.

The first sentence of the Declaration refers to “the laws of Nature and Nature’s God.” In the second sentence the founders stated: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” And, in the concluding sentence they acknowledge their “... firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,” a term used for the God of the Bible by statesmen and preachers of that time.

Trudeau’s Doonesbury says that “no modern society could function under a libertarian government, which is why none exist.”

South of his native Canada, one has existed for over 200 years. Our founding fathers were, almost to a man, Godly libertarians. They built this nation on the principles of individual freedom and self-governance. Some atheists are actively undermining the principles necessary to keep our freedom.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” —  John Adams.

WES YEAGER

Grand Junction

 

Paul Nelson for District 3 county commissioner seat

In the race for Mesa County commissioner from District 3, there is one candidate who has proved time and again he has the business experience, commitment to the community and the leadership skills we need in Mesa County: Paul Nelson.

In the 1980s, when Mesa County suffered an economic bust, Paul Nelson was one of the leaders in the business community who helped restore the county’s economy. He has served on any number of boards and commissions, was elected to two terms on the Grand Junction City Council and is one of the founders of the Colorado Riverfront Commission.

Paul Nelson has the integrity, commitment and leadership we need to improve our economic opportunity in the Grand Valley and work with existing and potential businesses to increase jobs.

I encourage my friends in the Republican Party to support Paul Nelson in the caucuses and the county assembly.

JEFF WENDLAND

Grand Junction

 

Picture of man recycling was refreshing to see

Regarding the picture of David Lindsey in the Jan. 28 edition of The Daily Sentinel, shown picking up scrap to sell at Van Gundy’s recycle: It was refreshing to see some enthusiasm from someone for a change. I give him a salute.

He is setting a good example for everyone to follow. Thanks.

RAFAEL A SALAZ

Grand Junction