Letter writer: People will complain about what is going on in Boston, Washington, or here in their own city, but they don’t seem to care who is representing them.
Charlie Ryan betrays party by backing Brown
U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown, left, shakes hands with former Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan after Ryan endorsed him during a press conference at Gus & Pauls' Bakery and Deli on Sumner Aveue in Springfield last week.Re: my old friend Charlie Ryan’s misguided endorsement of Sen. Scott Brown (Republican Sept. 7): Brown may be a nice guy, and he does indeed on occasion cross party lines with his votes.
But did “proud John F. Kennedy Democrat” Ryan stop to consider that in a closely divided Senate it could be Scott Brown’s organizational vote that would make Mitch McConnell the Senate majority leader? Yes, the same Mitch McConnell who proudly proclaimed that his party’s number-one priority was making Barack Obama a one-term president.
As for Charlie’s assertion that today “too many people are asking what my country can do for me,” he could indeed have come to that conclusion from watching the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Next thing we know, Charlie may be trying to tell us Mitt Romney was a good governor.
– DURHAM CALDWELL, Springfield
Hampshire College does the right thing
The Republican’s recent editorial “Illegal immigrants deserve helping hand” underscores much that is true about our country. We often vacillate between our highest ideals, “give me your tired” and the mean-spirited xenophobia that creates obstacles for those who come, at great risk, to find a way to lift their families out of poverty by doing jobs that go unfilled by Americans.
In the book of Exodus, the God of the Hebrews reminds them that they were once exploited in the land of Egypt and that they must not exploit the aliens among them.
The majority of us are the descendants of immigrants, often seen as aliens, who came to this land of opportunity seeking the very same thing – a decent job, dignity and respect.
Hampshire College is to be commended for recognizing that offering the opportunity for a college education is a pathway out of the shadows into a productive and fulfilling life; and The Republican is to be commended for highlighting Hampshire’s gesture and encouraging other institutions of higher learning to do the same.
– DENISE GRANGER, SSJ, Justice and Peace Committee, Sisters of St. Joseph, Springfield
Poor voter turnout a troubling trend
When one looks at the results of the primary election Thursday, it is a shame the amount of people who take the time to vote is so small.
When only 300 people vote in a ward that has 1,400 people, shouldn’t we be ashamed?
Then one has to look at the other facts. The amount of votes Michael Kane as former state representative received. His name was on the ballot, but he isn’t even running. Does anyone know what is going on anymore?
People will complain about what is going on in Boston, Washington, or here in their own city, but they don’t seem to care who is representing them.
It takes a lot of time and money to run for office. To have such a small turnout is a shame. I thought as I got older, things would get better. I guess not.
– ANN LeBLANC, Holyoke
Settling with Jones sends bad message
I noticed that habitual offender Melvin Jones has been awarded $575,000 from the City of Springfield to settle the Jeffrey Asher matter.
I had math at University of New Hampshire, but it was over 30 years ago, yet some simple analysis tells me we have a career, decorated 17-year Springfield Police Officer sitting in the Hampshire County House of Correction after being found guilty of assaulting Jones for trying to defend himself and three fellow officers in the line of duty. For this act, Asher is denied his liberty for 18 months, and has lost his lifelong pension.
What is wrong with this picture? Jones, who has been arrested no less than two more times since the Asher event will be rewarded handsomely, and the career public servant is vilified, and humiliated.
What message are we sending to Springfield’s children, and to his remaining colleagues in blue? Stop the world, I want to get off.
– STEPHEN R. ETKIN, Ludlow