Letter writer: We are a nation of immigrants or their descendants, and we should be proud of what we, as a nation, have achieved.
Businesses depend on roads, bridges
This is in response to the gentleman’s letter to the editor on Aug. 27, “Obama’s remarks insult to business.”
The letter writer heard what he wanted to hear. I also listened to what the president said in full and in context. I am not an English professor; however, when he said, “you didn’t build that,” the word “that” was used as a pronoun to refer back to his previous words about roads, bridges, etc. Grammatically, the president was correct.
Furthermore, sometimes it is a teacher who is responsible for how well a student uses his/her education by encouraging a student to achieve and do good things. And, yes, construction workers do build the roads, bridges and buildings that house businesses, schools, hospitals, etc.
Did you work tirelessly to build your business? I’m sure you did and President Obama would applaud you, as do I.
If you are being truly objective you would “get” what the president said: We do depend on one another (and, yes, our government) to function as a nation.
– BARBARA DABOROWSKI, Agawam
N.J. Gov. Christie loses sight of facts
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 28.The speeches at the Republican National Convention contained several factual errors. The speech by Chris Christie, Republican governor of New Jersey was especially troubling. He told about how his father with the GI bill (government funding) was able to go to college and be the first in his family to earn a degree. That’s great but the Republican Party platform now is to make sure that never happens again.
I started college in 1962 when tuition at a state school was $200 per semester. Graduate school was $300 per semester and books were less than $100. I could earn that during the summer. If the Republican Party comes to power that will never be possible again. Romney and Ryan want to end the federal department of education which means no more Pell Grants, no more federal loans. Add to this the fact that state colleges are not supported by taxpayer money the way they used to be.
The mega-rich individuals and corporations don’t need the money. Our students do.
Add to this the fact that good jobs are rare. In the 1930s FDR got a 94 percent top tax bracket through congress. The top tax rate stayed above 90 percent through the 1950s and ¤’60s which accounts for the widespread prosperity we had and the good jobs by which a student could work his way through college.
Christie wants to be respected more than loved and says we have to say “no” when necessary. He says “no” to students but still “yes” to corporation subsidies. This plan to limit education only to the wealthy puts our economy and our country at a severe disadvantage. When did Republicans stop thinking?
– MALITA BROWN, Wilbraham
Illegal immigrants deserve deportation
Rony Molina asks, “How can my country not allow a mother to be with her children ...” I have nothing but sympathy for children whose parents are deported for being in this country illegally. I feel sorry for Molina that he cannot be with his wife. I am not anti-immigrant. (“Deportations tear families apart,” The Republican, Sept. 3). We are a nation of immigrants or their descendants, and we should be proud of what we, as a nation, have achieved. I believe our greatest strength lies in our diversity.
But, Mr. Molina, do not blame this country for your and your children’s pain. The responsibility for that pain lies with their mother, your wife, and with you, if you knew she was here illegally. She (you?) choose to have children knowing that she could be caught and deported. We need to stop calling people “illegal immigrants.” An immigrant is someone who goes through the paperwork and gets permission to enter this country. A person who does not go through this process is actually an invader, not an immigrant. Such a person has committed a crime. I feel sympathy for families of people who are serving time in prison for committing a crime, but that does not mean the criminals should not be in prison.
I welcome immigrants as I welcome guests to my home; I do not welcome invaders of either my home nor my country.
– PATRICIA G. SHERMAN, Southwick