02/08/12 Letters to the Editor

Safety can depend on gun

To the editor -- I appreciated the Jan. 24 letter in which the writer agreed with my revised version of the Second Amendment; however, I must respectfully disagree with his conclusion that the amendment is obsolete.

Those who have lived their lives in benign environments often delude themselves into believing that they are forever entitled to that quality of life.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Romans lived enviable lives until they turned to the Pretorian Guard and to barbarian troops for their defense. Rome was sacked because its citizens were too busy entertaining themselves to defend their city.

Professional armed forces are a two-edged sword. As President Eisenhower warned, we should always keep a tight rein on the military-industrial complex -- or it may insert the bit into our mouths.

Our police do a good job; but they can't be everywhere. Home invasions would occur much less frequently if would-be crooks knew that someone in every household has a weapon and is skilled in its use.

Anyone who depends entirely on others for his well-being is likely one day to find that his comfortable lifestyle did not come with a fail-safe guarantee.

DOUG PATTERSON

Yakima

Social Security is earned

To the editor -- I believe that Congressman Doc Hastings showed disrespect for senior citizens at his Yakima town hall when he kept referring to Social Security as "an entitlement."

To set the record straight, Social Security is "an earned benefit" -- not a gift from the government.

Millions of recipients have paid into the system for decades. In my case, I started contributing as a teenager, when I got my Social Security card after taking a job as a box boy for Safeway. That was some 60 years ago.

Social Security enabled my immigrant father and mother to retire safely in the home they spent years paying for. Peter and Helen, who survived the Great Depression, began paying into Social Security in 1935 when Franklin D. Roosevelt proudly signed this centerpiece of New Deal legislation.

My dad got his first monthly Social Security check in March 1968. It was for $119.

I'm a longtime member of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Its January 2012 report stated: "Current projections show Social Security able to pay full benefits for another 25 years."

Doubters should be assured that Social Security will endure long after the hot political winds of 2012 blow away.

PAUL GEORGE

Yakima

Duty of government

To the editor -- Naturally, letters to the editor have been pouring in criticizing Gov. Chris Gregoire's support of same-sex marriage; most letters end with a biblical quote or a scolding preach. In response, I'd like to say that government leaders are not clergy members; their only obligations to you as a believer is to protect your freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

In no way do they have an obligation, let alone right, to instate your religious convictions into written law and enforce them on the public. They serve every citizen in their charge, not just religious believers, and it's their duty to ensure the welfare of all with unbiased eyes.

I applaud Gregoire for seeing this in spite of her religion's beliefs. That kind of understanding takes more strength and grace than the judging, anger and embracing prejudice many believers display when it comes to same-sex marriage.

As a straight woman with many gay and lesbian friends, I firmly believe that all same-sex couples want is to live their lives with the people they love. Who in their right mind can say the world couldn't benefit from as much love as possible?

LORI APTS

Yakima

Prosser needs levy

To the editor -- Having been a teacher in the Prosser School District for the past eight years, it has been an honor to work with your students in the classroom and extra-curricular activities. Let's make sure they have the tools to be as successful as possible.

Instruction materials are essential to a quality education. Effective instruction is largely due to the availability of up-to-date books, desks, paper, writing materials, comfortable and well-lit classrooms. With the state Legislature reducing funds necessary for instructional tools, we, the local citizens of our community, must rally behind our future leaders, the students.

The levy tax for 2013-14 is estimated to maintain the same level it currently is. That's good news in today's economy! Without increasing taxes for the next two years, this year's maintenance and operation levy will provide our students with the necessary environment and materials to excel.

Educating our young students is our hope for the future. Vote yes for the students on Feb. 14.

RICH KORB

Prosser

Approve Naches measures

To the editor -- I am a parent, school board member and taxpayer of the Naches Valley School District. I am writing about the upcoming levy and bond vote.

Our intermediate and primary schools are nearly 60 years old. I see my second-grade daughter and her classmates sweating in their classroom, which is 96 degrees, in the heat, and wearing extra clothes in the winter to keep warm. This is not a very conducive learning environment. We have a boiler that is close to failing inspection and in need of being replaced along with everything that delivers this heat to the classrooms. This will cost the district large amounts of money at the expense of our general fund, which will impact every classroom in Naches, not just the elementary-age students.

We have a very unique opportunity now with this vote. We have an expiring middle school bond and an expiring technology levy. These combined tax savings are what the district is asking for to build a new K-4 elementary school. This would be a projected no increase in property taxes.

Please vote yes for the levy and yes for the bond. For our kids and community!

CHAD CHRISTOPHERSON

Yakima