Letters to the Editor: June 18, 2012

If the U.S. economy were better off during the now over-three-year presidency of Barack Obama, then there might be a partial excuse for the spending binge that has been the hallmark of his term in office. Unfortunately, the data are not very encouraging in this respect, with continuing high unemployment figures, little new job creation, and many individuals no longer looking for positions that are impossible to find.

The approach by the president and his economic advisers, whom he may or may not listen to, has been a disaster affecting millions of Americans.

The economy has not been fixed. Let’s give someone else that opportunity.

Nelson Marans

Silver Spring

Sanctuary policies aid, abet federal lawbreaking

Federal law makes it a crime to enter the United States other than being granted legal admission through a “port of entry.” A person who enters without that legal admission has committed a federal crime, and anyone who assists that person is aiding and abetting.

Thus, cities and states that have declared themselves “sanctuaries” — where local law enforcement is barred from questioning, detaining or reporting persons known or suspected to be in the country illegally — are in essence assisting a federal law violation.

But our federal government does nothing to counteract local “sanctuary” policies, even in this age of international terrorism. Instead, this administration’s illogical and self-defeating policy on illegal immigration is a cynical quest for votes.

The totally absurd part is that in those states where local legislation allows illegal aliens to be identified, detained and reported to federal authorities have come under legal challenge by our Justice Department.

So, we do nothing to challenge violators of federal immigration law, but sue localities trying to cooperate with the spirit of that law.

Have we lost all reason?

Glenn E. Guyant

Lorton

Obamacare taxes those freeloading on rest of us

Millions of Republicans, Tea Party members and conservatives on the Supreme Court are making a big fuss over “the individual mandate” in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Don’t those who are already benefiting from Obamacare want affordable health care?

Conservative critics say the so-called mandate represents a huge encroachment into Americans’ lives. But income taxes, car insurance, driver’s licenses and hundreds of other things are also mandated by government. Why has the Roberts court singled out this particular mandate to go after?

Plain and simple: This is just part of an ongoing Republican vendetta against President Obama.

The word “mandate” is a misnomer. No one gets carted off to jail if they fail to buy insurance. Instead, people who choose to become freeloaders on the nation’s health care system will pay $695 in additional federal taxes. What’s so shocking about that?

People who don’t purchase health insurance impose added costs on the rest of us. The new law simply taxes them for their selfish choice.

Ron Lowe

Nevada City, Nev.