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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2008

Cost Should Be Minimal

Regarding " 'Send Them All Back' Not So Easy" (Our Opinion, Sept. 6):

The American people have already paid for laws covering illegal aliens. The cost of rounding them up and deporting them should be like any other criminal activity. Confiscate their property and file claims against municipalities and companies that support such behavior. There should be no costs placed on the general public as I see it. In fact, this increase in workload could help legal citizens gain "green" employment.

If the current laws can't handle this straightforward procedure, then just write new ones. This cat-and-mouse game of feeling sorry for illegal people has got to stop if we are to get a handle on the escalation of costs.

CHARLIE FELDSCHAU

Sun City Center

Let's Show Compassion
Your recent editorial on immigration reform and the challenges in enforcement presented good points to ponder. The current responses and future challenges in this area will no doubt be played out upon the national stage.

My hope is we never lose sight of the human equation when discussing the issue of immigration reform. Regardless of what the government ultimately does, we cannot afford to turn our backs on those in need or who are suffering injustices - even if they are in this country illegally. I would hope all Americans could summon the compassion necessary to honor our legacy of freedom to pursuit life, liberty and happiness no matter what side of this debate they lean toward. To do less would be un-American.

RICHARD WRIGHT

Valrico

Say No To Body-Scan

Regarding "Body Scan Imaging Is Delayed" (Business, Sept. 5):

How many letters do we need to write to stop this intrusion on the privacy of the American public? Do they think the public will put up with everything and/or anything?

Gladly will I and, I believe, millions refuse to submit to this travesty of American rights. The pat-down is what led to this. Please delay this body-scan forever - for the health of our bodies and minds.

LEONIE MILLER

Tampa

Fed's Primary Role

Many people do not understand the role of the federal government. Its primary functions are in regards to interstate affairs - roads, parks, military, interstate commerce, etc. It was never meant to have a role in education, provide housing, food and money for the poor and disadvantaged. These were to be the concern of local and state governments.

If we were to reduce our federal taxes, not only could we cut out billions of wasted dollars, i.e. earmarks for the more senior statesmen and used to buy votes, the state and local governments would have the ability to raise taxes at a local level and meet these needs more efficiently - and they will balance their budgets.

TOM CRAIG

Riverview

Preserve Right To Choose

With Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, we have a serious ticket that is ready to lead this country in the direction it needs to go. The McCain/Palin ticket guarantees that we will have four more years of evangelical rule. The media keeps stating that the issue of Roe v. Wade and the potentially vacant positions on the Supreme Court in the next four years is not a priority according to the polls, but I beg to differ. Yes, it is "the economy, stupid," but for women of this country the overturning of Roe v. Wade will be devastating. As Obama stated, "No one is pro-abortion," but we must preserve a woman's right to choose.

We are at a critical juncture in our history. One more conservative appointment to the Supreme Court is all that is needed to overturn this historic 1973 decision and send us back into the dark ages. The political right wing and the evangelicals are determined to see this happen and if McCain is elected, Roe v. Wade will surely be overturned.

CINDY JAFFE

Palm Harbor

The Very First Right

Some will argue, wrongly, that babies still in the womb are not entitled to rights and thus may be aborted by their mothers. However, no one can deny that babies born alive after a failed abortion are human beings entitled to all the rights afforded by the Constitution including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Note that the very first right is to "life."

Those who would willingly deny that right are as guilty of willful infanticide as if they had physically killed that innocent baby. This should be punishable under the law at least as reckless endangerment if not homicide.

What kind of society are we living in that refuses to protect our most vulnerable members? Who is next to be left to die? The old? The sick? The handicapped?

ANDREW W. SCHULTZ SR.

Tampa

GOP Walks The Talk

What has impressed me most about the GOP candidates is that they truly "walk the talk" when they speak of being for a culture of life and of desiring to serve others. Actions demonstrate a person's character and are a clear indication of how they will act in the future.

While Barack Obama's half-brother lives in a hut in Africa, the McCains have adopted and raised four children, some from Third World countries. While Obama was organizing communities for professional recognition, Cindy McCain, with the support of her husband, was organizing humanitarian missions around the world. While Obama has stated that he wouldn't want to "punish his daughters with a baby," the McCains and Palins embrace life and the joys and challenges of family. While the Democrats all talk of helping "the least among us," the Republican ticket acts.

MATTHEW BREUER

Plant City

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