IMMIGRATION
New rules set up amnesty for illegal aliens
Recently, amnesty for illegal immigrants under age 30 came and went without protest. Amnesty for illegal people under 30 is a bait-and-switch. The program wants us to feel compassion for innocent children brought here illegally. I believe it’s just a setup so the program can eventually grant amnesty to their illegal parents. God knows we can’t break up families when immigration officials discover their illegal parents’ whereabouts. Where’s the compassion about breaking up other criminals’ families when they’re sent to prison for DUI or theft?
It’s embarrassing to think of how future American generations (if there are any) will look back upon this great nation — one that has contributed so much to human progress. The best-case scenario will be for history to compare us to sheep. I can imagine future students of history questioning how this great nation went to war over tea and, a few centuries later, allowed one of our checks and balances to tip the scale, circumventing the law without congressional approval. Throughout history, tyrants, despots and dictators did this all the time. It continues today.
A final thought: Since when is someone between the ages of 21 and 30 considered a child?
AARON AMOS, Burley
UNION EMPLOYEES
Lack of opportunities cause people to leave
Over a third of our neighbors have walked away from their homes here in Teton Valley due to no employment opportunities. As union skilled trades employees, we do not have the job opportunities and do not receive any vacation, paid holidays, per diem or services related to finding employment. We have had to find employment in Billings, Mont., and the cost of working there will be double our house payments in Idaho. Idaho pays $302 per week for unemployment benefits and it would take five checks per month to pay our house payment. We have to keep our vehicle and tools in order to gain employment opportunities. So why do people in the public union sectors and other government want to blame the problems on unions? There is a difference between public and private sectors. Even the U.S. government and local government receive benefits and transportation for training, meetings and educational opportunities. Some even get relocation benefits. Our accountant says since the employment is less than one year all expenses will be tax deductible.
DIANA FLINT, Victor
ROADSIDE MEMORIAL
Cross should stay as sign of respect
Three years ago I lost my cousin. He died going over the canyon rim in his car on Yingst Road by the Jerome Golf Course. Since then, a beautiful cross has been erected on the rim in his memory. This cross does not affect anybody's property, and does not cause harm to anyone. It is a sign of respect for a family member that is highly missed. Almost every time a family member visits his cross, signs of vandalism are seen. Why do people have to take things off a cross that’s meant as a memorial? On Sept. 19, my husband and I stopped by his cross to see why it was leaning. A woman walking nearby stated, "You should take that thing out of here." Why should it be moved? Lots of crosses are around the area and on corners memorializing family and friends that have died. I'm sorry if she doesn't know what it's like to lose a child, son, brother, or cousin. My cousin committed suicide, but that doesn't make it any different or easier for those of us that miss him. Jerome County has no problem with the placement of the cross so what is the problem?
BRENDA AGUAYO, Wendell
REP. RAUL LABRADOR
Congressman shows value to party, Idaho
In 2010 a friend suggested I take a second look at then-candidate Raul Labrador. She told me he would be a rising star in the party and that would help take our conservative Idaho values to make significant changes in D.C. From his first appearance on "Meet the Press" and every national interview thereafter, he espouses our conservative values and has helped to change the national debate. It’s no wonder the Romney campaign has invited him onto the trail with them to help outreach to voters the GOP has had a difficult time reaching in the past — all to work toward victory in November. He makes us proud. And Congressman, if you have to miss a few votes to do it, so be it!
JOHN CROSS, Post Falls
MITT ROMNEY
Candidate's strengths go beyond religion
This is in response to Christianne Campbell’s Sept. 14 letter questioning Mitt Romney’s suitability for president based on his religious beliefs. She started out with the old evangelical battle cry that Mormons aren’t Christians. While this may be the view spawned by anti-Mormon literature and rancorous pastors, anyone who would bother to investigate their scripture, meetings or website would realize there is no church more Christ-centered than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Space does not permit rebutting her unenlightened perceptions of Mormon doctrine that is actually beautiful in its logic and ability to liberate and inspire the human mind and spirit, so let’s cut to the chase instead. After almost four years at the hand of the inept, arrogant, lazy, socialist boy-president and his band of sycophants, this nation is circling the drain economically and morally. The mainstream media is an unashamed functionary of the Obama re-election campaign. The stakes have never been higher, and the contrast between the candidates has never been starker.
One may not share or appreciate the tenets of Romney’s faith, but to sit out the election or waste one’s vote on a write-in candidate is simply unconscionable. Please reconsider the possible tragic consequences.
NEIL PARKER, Boise
PORT OF LEWISTON
Extending dock size is waste of money
If there was ever a pork-barrel project, dock extension at the Port of Lewiston is it. The port employs six people. Yet, it was just awarded a federal grant to double the size of its dock. Over the past decade the port has seen container shipments decline by approximately 75 percent. That includes lumber, paper and grains. Unit trains are coming to the Palouse, indicating barge traffic will decrease further.
If Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and port manager David Doeringsfeld are serious about creating jobs and boosting the regional economy, then we need a modern facility that can efficiently transport goods to domestic and international markets to the east and west. Viewing the Columbia River system as a “marine highway” is a dead end.
With wild salmon populations declining, and the Obama administration’s biological opinion declared illegal, dock extension makes even less sense. If dam decommissioning is going to be “on the table,” as Sen. Mike Crapo suggests, than why are taxpayers being forced to invest in the status quo? At the end of the day we need less cement in our waterways, a 21st century transportation system, and more wild salmon in our rivers.
BRETT HAVERSTICK, Moscow
GOD'S LOVE
It’s for everyone
People will always use excuses to do violence for control, power, wealth, etc. ... with no room for differences. Some even use God to get what they want. For me, God will not stand with people who abuse his name for their own gain.
No religion has a monopoly on God; not even the Muslims. Muslim terrorists only know God with hate in their hearts. We know God with love in our hearts.
I pity these people for they don’t see God’s love for all mankind.
Evil takes all forms and disguises which means we have to be vigilant so we’re not sucked into it and stand strong for what’s right and good and true with God’s love for everyone.
MARGARET LEE, Caldwell
