Tucson speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Nov. 25, 2022
- Updated
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Arizona Daily Star.
- Tom Mc Gorray, Northwest side
For the wealth that is our nation
For your answer to our call.
For the freedoms that we shared alike,
That let us each stand tall.
For the bounty of your goodness
For the paths we all did trod
For the bravery of our fallen ones,
We thank thee, O my God!
For the weary who have come here
And your graces day and night.
For all that you have given
For the strength to do what’s right
For Thy safety and protection,
And your disciplining rod
In the fight against crimes evil,
We thank Thee, O my God!
For this day that is thanksgiving
And the gifts you have bestowed
For success in our endeavors,
And making strait our road
For the blessings of good neighbors
Your approval and your nod,
For our bretheran who have fallen,
We thank Thee, O my God
For the splendor of your wisdom
Deep rooted in all things
For justice that is always served
And all that goodness brings.
For our people steeped in courage,
We stand so proud, yet awed,
For watching o'er this land of ours
We thank Thee, O my God.
Tom Mc Gorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thad Appelman, Northwest side
We bemoan that today’s music is not as good as when we grew up. I think I know why. When we grew up, musicians could ‘be discovered’, get record contracts, sell millions of records, and make a lot of money. When Fleetwood Mac released “Albatross” in 1968 and it hit #1 in Europe, I bet they rushed to the studio and started composing. Great musicians working feverishly to compose awesome music that we loved. That mold has been broken. Now bar bands struggle to even cover the cost of performing. We’ve killed music.
Thad Appelman
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steve Pothier, East side
The opinion piece by Jim Bellotty (Sunday, Nov 20) was a breath of fresh air. I'm a moderate Democrat with a background that is quite different than Jim's. With his succinct, simple and elegant 15 point summary, Jim demonstrated a way to untangle divisiveness that's better than anything I've seen recently. I find that I agree with almost all of his points to some degree. If both sides of congress recognized the commonality we do share, perhaps we would see more useful compromise.
Well done, Jim! Thank you!
Steve Pothier
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Keep up the good work, Republicans
Congratulations to Republican voters and Independents (who switched to a Republican ballot) in the primary to nominate Lake, Finchem, Masters, and Hamadeh. By doing so, they elected the worst Republican candidates to run in November. And let’s not forget Arizona’s ice cream man Doug Ducey, who on his watch not only lost two U.S. Senate seats but governor, secretary of state and attorney general. And let’s also not forget Ducey’s accomplishments: the raid on the State Land Trust fund (123), the destruction of public education, tax cuts (how’s that working out for the middle class?), and the stacking of the Arizona Supreme Court. Even retired Chief Justice Bales wrote at that time additional judges are not needed and expansion “is not warranted when other court-related needs are underfunded” and will cost the state an additional $1 million. My sincere hope is that Republicans keep on nominating unelectable candidates.
Clyde R. Steele
Oro Valley
Legislative District 17
The current Legislative District 17 was gerrymandered last year to make it easier for Republicans to win. And it looks like the Pro-Trump MAGA GOP Freedom Team of Cory McGarr, Rachel Jones and Justine Wadsack will win. But only by 2,000 of 120,000 votes cast. Fifty-eight thousand people did not support their ideas. That is not an overwhelming mandate of support. No matter for whom they voted, most of the people in LD 17 want many of the same things: more teachers, better teachers, having a say in how the schools are run, control over their own bodies and health, less gun violence, reliable water supply and lower living costs for disadvantaged and working families. These new legislators will have an opportunity to listen to and work with people with whom they disagree and find some common ground to come up with workable solutions that help all of us.
John Higgins
Southeast side
Election
I spent a couple hours watching the election process at the Pima County Recorder’s Office. The process was down to hand counting ballots that had problems on them. Save everybody time, please, and quit writing in Don Duck or Willy Wonka or Stan Lee. Elections are really important things, not frivolous. The talliers are very serious people doing a difficult job. Be considerate.
Nan Schubel
Midtown
Bridging the divide
Re: Nov. 20 letter “A patriot’s response.”
The letter was a breath of fresh air. I’m a moderate Democrat with a background that is quite different than the letter writer’s. With his succinct, simple and elegant 15-point summary, he demonstrated a way to untangle divisiveness that’s better than anything I’ve seen recently. I find that I agree with almost all of his points to some degree. If both sides of Congress recognized the commonality we do share, perhaps we would see more useful compromise.
Well done! Thank you!
Steve Pothier
East side
Refocus your energy
We’ve all endured a far too long election season. Now that the dust has settled, we’d be well-served to take off our partisan hats and refocus our attention and energy on our community.
Politics has an ugly way of taking up all the energy in our lives. It’s easy to don our partisan hats and stick to our groups. I’d ask us all to reconnect with neighbors, even those you might politically disagree with. Volunteer in the community. We can’t always look to politicians to solve our problems. Feed the hungry, work on housing issues, teach literacy, work with animals or on environmental issues, whatever your passion is. Please, put the remote down and head out and reconnect with the community in a positive way.
Unfortunately, the 2024 election cycle will soon be upon us, with bloviating politicians and far too many ads. So get involved today in a positive way in the community and meet a few neighbors, too!.
Stephen Caster
Oro Valley
- George Monroe, Midtown
Chris Magnus leader of OUR Border Agency.
1. Limiting high speed chases of overloaded vans to reduce fatalities is a humanitarian value.
2. Apprehensions of Border Crossings are over a million per year. Should he be so cruel to the crossers that they will discourage others from following in their footsteps? Is cruelty by our Law Enforcement officials to be one of our National Values? Do you wish to live in a country with that value? Our government needs to pass Immigration Reform laws. Republican and Democrats both want this. We need the labor of the immigrants.
3. When climate change forces tens and then hundreds of million immigrants to cross our borders then millions of us will also be moving to cooler climes like Canada. This is going to be a problem for our children and grandchildren that we need to start fixing now.
George Monroe
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Galen Babbidge, East side
Can't understand the democrats tried every socialist way to get rid of Trump and failed. Why can't the American public take serious heed to this. The democrats stole the last presidential election I don't know how but I will continue to expose their betrayal of the american voting system. Plus the fact for the last two years the democrats have all but destroyed this country. Biden is a joke his staff is telling him what to do plus both houses are run by anti-American theology. This election is another result again the democrats have again controlled the vote and again I will persue getting answers as to how their doing it. This election this year watching closely notice the democrats stealing the vote. I perdict the damn demorcats will keep control of both houses, if so we will suffer another two years of democrat excessive abuse of federal government funds.
What's wrong with country have we become sheep easily preyed by demoratic wolfs ?
Galen Babbidge
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
I support Magnus
Chris Magnus, leader of our border agency.
1. Limiting high speed chases of overloaded vans to reduce fatalities is a humanitarian value.
2. Apprehensions of border crossings are over a million per year. Should he be so cruel to the crossers that they will discourage others from following in their footsteps? Is cruelty by our law enforcement officials to be one of our national values? Do you wish to live in a country with that value? Our government needs to pass immigration reform laws. Republican and Democrats both want this. We need the labor of the immigrants.
3. When climate change forces tens and then hundreds of millions of immigrants to cross our borders then millions of us will also be moving to cooler climes like Canada. This is going to be a problem for our children and grandchildren that we need to start fixing now.
George Monroe
Midtown
Election 2022
Hey, Kari Lake.
Why not continue following your Trumpy playbook and call the Arizona secretary of state and ask her to please just find you the 20,000 or so votes that you need to win?
Scott Seidler
Midtown
Bike theft problem
We have a real problem in Tucson with bike thefts. I lost three and one friend said she had a total of five stolen. These were locked up in very public places.
The first thing the police ask is "What is the serial number?" When you tell them you don't have it, they inform you too bad, sorry about your bike that is the end of it. If you can't prove it is yours it wasn't stolen.
So if you have a bike you care about take a photo of the serial number or even better write it down on the inside of your closet door. Then when it is stolen you will have at least a tiny chance of getting it back.
It is a sad fact that you can't own a bicycle here without having it stolen.
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Sore loser Lake
When the governor's race was called for Katie Hobbs, instead of finding a crumb of professionalism or graciousness, Kari Lake instead continued her Donald Trump-inspired nastiness with her tweet "Arizonans know BS when they see it." I think Lake is actually right about that, given the results of most of the key statewide races.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Homelessness
As the housing crisis worsens, homelessness increases, and there are over 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in Pima County. This is a complex issue involving individual/socioeconomic factors that must be considered.
As students at the UA's college of public health, we believe homelessness is a public health issue because it causes chronic physical/mental health conditions. It’s also cited as a Social Determinant of Health by the Department of Health & Human Services.
WORKship is an incredible resource. Beginning in Tucson (2000), WORKship has become a program that provides community health services to over 200 individuals experiencing homelessness, weekly. They perform first-aid street patrol for the community.
Based on these facts, we urge the Mayor of Tucson, Regina Romero, to allocate funds to support the work of this organization in providing social services to the community. In doing so, the mayor will fulfill the government obligation in caring for its residents and reduce their social and emotional burden.
Ana Gonzalez, Katelyn Madrid, Clayton Moralez, Maria Nunes
Northeast side
- Phineas Anderson, Catalina
Don't despair Kari.
You will soon receive a call from Donald who will ask you to be his Vice President.
He wants you to join him because you are attractive, a TV personality like him, will feed his ego, will deny your loss, will put yourself before country, and be as untruthful as he is.
So don't despair. But do remember one thing: you are both losers and will lose again in 2024.
Phineas Anderson
Catalina
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
I really hope Trump runs again. He's lost the popular vote by increasing margins. Knowing his casino background maybe he's betting in Vegas in a parlay bet to keep doubling his losses in popular vote, from 3 to 7 million maybe 14 this time. Anything for money. He has been an anchor for Republican candidates that curried his favor. He's the gift for Democrats that keeps on giving.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Renewables
The Nov. 14 Wall Street Journal had a supplement about renewables. In one section I noted that China has 86% of the lithium battery market. Does anyone remember what happened in 1973 and 1978 when much of the oil was coming from the Middle East? No reasonable business would be rushing head long into a market so out of balance. We need a strategy with balance, not one created by zealots. If we continue, we will have cars with no fuel, windmills and solar panels with no storage, homes with no heat, etc. We have forsaken the system that made us the most advanced and powerful and benevolent nation on the earth. Get government out of the way!
Bill Blaine
Marana
Donald will call soon, Kari
Don’t despair, Kari Lake.
You will soon receive a call from Donald Trump, who will ask you to be his vice president.
He wants you to join him because you are attractive, a TV personality like him, will feed his ego, will deny your loss, will put yourself before country and be as untruthful as he is. So don’t despair. But do remember one thing: You both will lose again in 2024.
Phineas Anderson
Catalina
Run again, Trump
I (am glad) Donald Trump is running again. He’s lost the popular vote by increasing margins. Knowing his casino background, maybe he’s betting in Vegas in a parlay bet to keep doubling his losses in popular vote, from 3 to 7 million to maybe 14 this time. Anything for money. He has been an anchor for Republican candidates that curried his favor. He’s the gift for Democrats that keeps on giving.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
AZ GOP deniers fly into oblivion
Arizona Republican deniers followed “Biggest Loser Trumpty Dumpty” down his incandescent yellow brick road, to the cliff, and off into oblivion.
Jerry Wilkerson
SaddleBrooke
Time to rethink strategy
Now that the 2022 general election has ended in disaster for Arizona Republicans in most high-profile races, a period of reckoning and finger-pointing will almost surely ensue. A good analytical starting point for what went wrong is a piece dated April 2, 2021, that appeared in the Star (and is available in its archives) entitled “Political Notebook: Pima County Republican leads rebellion against state chair Kelli Ward.” In it, the author profiled a struggle that Arizona Republicans were then engaged in for the heart, soul, leadership and future direction of their party. In the coming months, it will be interesting to learn if Republicans take stock of (or double down on) the strategies they employed in this year’s election and last year’s leadership decisions.
Bruce Skolnik
Northeast side
Adieu to Lake
After losing the governor’s race to Katie Hobbs, Trump Mini-Me Kari Lake stated “Arizonans know BS when they see it.” Lake is finally correct. Yes, the majority of Arizonans will not miss her. She has been exposed. Last advice to Lake: People that blame things, don’t change things.
David Keating
Northeast side
- Fred DiNoto, Northwest side
No matter your party affiliation I think a majority of us are grateful the elections are over. It appears we still have a democracy. Prior to the elections, that statement was in doubt. The importance of our vote should never be taken for granted. Recent legislation that has been proposed and some even passed to stifle and diminish our voting rights should be fought vigorously. Of course those Republican candidates who were endorsed by the former president and lost their elections have been called by him as weak and poor candidates. I would hope that this would be a wake up call for future candidates what happens when you sell your soul to the devil. All future candidates should remember the pledge of allegiance. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands." Not a man or a party.
Fred DiNoto
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Max LaPlante, Southeast side
Now that the elections are over, campaigns have concluded, and mud slinging has ceased, it’s time
for all of # 45’s backed candidates to be rounded up and placed on buses, not destined to NY City or to Martha’s Vineyard, but to Mar-a-Lago where they can start and develop an election denier utopia. Here they can sell snake oil, while peddling notions of conspiracy theories and non-truths, all while guzzling cockamamie Kool Aid and gorging themselves on Fiddle Faddle. The utopia will also contain an
amusement park complete with a 3 ring circus employing thousands of clowns and instead of “It’s
a Small World”, the ride will be called “It’s a Trump World After All”. The park will be aptly named
MAGA LAND!
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Galvin, Sahuarita
Electric vs. Carbon energy is a topic that has proponents on both sides with good arguments for all. Here is what I know for sure.
I have a Chevy Bolt and a Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gets 20 mpg. If gas is $3.00 a gallon, it costs $.15 per mile to fuel the car. The fuel cost per mile for the Bolt, being electric, is figured differently. The car has 2,229 miles on it. I power the car through an electric meter and have installed 396 KWH so far in the car at $.1447/KWH. 396 times $.1447 equals $57.30 divide that by 2,229 miles equals $.025 per mile. Now there has to be a specific need to use the Santa Fe.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Voters say democracy over tyranny
No matter your party affiliation, I think a majority of us are grateful the elections are over.
It appears we still have a democracy. Prior to the elections, that statement was in doubt.
The importance of our vote should never be taken for granted. Recent legislation that has been proposed, and some even passed, to stifle and diminish our voting rights should be fought vigorously. Of course, those Republican candidates who were endorsed by the former president and lost their elections have been called by him as weak and poor candidates.
I would hope that this would be a wake-up call for future candidates what happens when you sell your soul. All future candidates should remember the pledge of allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.”
Not a man or a party.
Fred DiNoto
Northwest side
Welcome to MAGA Land
Now that the elections are over, campaigns have concluded, and mudslinging has ceased, it’s time for all of No. 45’s backed candidates to be rounded up and placed on buses, not destined to New York City or to Martha’s Vineyard, but to Mar-a-Lago where they can start and develop an election-denier utopia.
Here they can sell snake oil, while peddling notions of conspiracy theories and non-truths, all while guzzling cockamamie Kool Aid and gorging themselves on Fiddle Faddle.
The utopia will also contain an amusement park complete with a three-ring circus employing thousands of clowns and instead of “It’s a Small World,” the ride will be called “It’s a Trump World After All.”
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Cars: Gas vs. Electric
Electric vs. carbon energy is a topic that has proponents on both sides with good arguments for all. Here is what I know for sure:
I have a Chevy Bolt and a Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gets 20 mpg. If gas is $3 a gallon, it costs $.15 per mile to fuel the car.
The fuel cost per mile for the Bolt, being electric, is figured differently.
The car has 2,229 miles on it.
I power the car through an electric meter and have installed 396 KWH so far in the car at $.1447/KWH, which equals $.025 per mile. Now there has to be a specific need to use the Santa Fe.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Transportation and climate change
It is frustrating to read about the challenges the RTA Citizens Advisory Committee is having to even discuss something as inescapable and universal as climate change.
We know that individual transportation makes up one-third of our climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions, yet we were presented with proof in Nicole Ludden’s Sunday article (“Members of citizen-led RTA group concerned about harsh oversight”) that some leaders in our community (Marana’s Mayor Ed Honea) still don’t think climate change is a serious enough issue to prioritize transit or investments in biking and walking that can help everyone use their car less.
This “pursue growth at all costs” model by building more and wider roads is why we are staring at the brink of environmental collapse, yet there seems to be a shortage of leaders who are willing to change course and ensure a livable region for us all.
Melissa Mason
Midtown
Redistricting
Since the Civil Rights era, I’ve been largely supportive of the policy initiatives of the Democratic Party.
I’ve been registered as a Democrat, in order to vote in primaries and to work within the party’s structure. But a party whose representatives on last year’s Independent Redistricting Commission acceded to the choice as chairman of an obviously conservative former Republican did not serve the people of Arizona well.
Under the leadership of Tucson Republican David Mehl and Chairman Erika Neuberg, the IRC gave us LD17, the mother of all gerrymanders, and CDs 6 and 7, needlessly maximizing Raul Grijalva’s minority voters and minimizing Tucson’s place in CD6, won by Juan Ciscomani.
Since the election, my wife and I have moved from the Tanque Verde Valley to central Tucson and I’m about to re-register at our new address. Firmly convinced that the institutional Democratic Party does not serve our people well, I’ll become officially what I’ve always tried to be in practice, Independent.
Frank Bergen
North side
Trump in 2024?
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, what does filing 63 losing lawsuits with the same complaint indicate?
As a lifelong Republican, I hope the party regains its sanity, goes back to basics and rejects the extremist views of its vocal minority.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
- Todd Ackerman, Foothills
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, what does filing 63 losing lawsuits with the same complaint indicate?
As a lifelong Republican, I hope the party regains its sanity, goes back to basics and rejects the extremist views of its vocal minority.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
A good democracy needs opposing views, and when Republicans and Democrats cooperate, great things can happen for society at large in the form of compromise. Trumpism has, however, finally destroyed all that, especially because the right-wing masses have been whipped into a frenzy over an alleged crisis at the border, over Critical Race Theory, and the absurd abhorrence of abortion. In the election, so it seems, the adults have finally woken up, at least a good majority, being fed up with infantile charges of election fraud, the hypocrisy of many Republicans who demand the individual’s freedom from the government as long as it concerns male bodies, and the utter disregard of our looming climate crisis. Would not conservatives naturally fight for a strict fiscal policy, excellent education, and the protection of our natural environment? No, too many infantiles among them seem to be fixated on self-imposed immigration problems (drug smuggling into an open US market!) and the threat of non-white ethnic groups endangering their white privileges.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Douglas R. Holm, East side
Technology has been causing many improvements in quality, reliability and speed in transportation, communication, manufacturing and other areas, but there are exceptions. In the late 19th century, Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes would mail a letter in London in the morning and it would be delivered to the recipient in the early afternoon. This was the case in New York City up to the 1930s. Prior to the year 2000, the final election results would be available by about 10PM Tuesday evening. If there was a close race, 9AM, or so, Wednesday morning. The Ford Model T was always painted black and is was so straightforward and simple its owners could usually make most of the repairs themselves. Now when you have a fender-bender the vehicle is normally in the shop for two to three weeks and you have to worry about insurance, rental cars, police reports and parts' availability.
Douglas R. Holm
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Victor Panizzon, Northwest side
Re: the Nov. 13 article "Democrats' risky bet on GOP election deniers paid off."
There is far too much money in politics. The Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision will probably lead to the end of our Representative Republic.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said that “American people saw that democracy was at risk” and voted accordingly. But by Democrats putting forth money in primaries for unelectable Republican opponents (to run against them in the general election) a one-party state is still very much a threat.
Victor Panizzon
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steve Robinson, Oro Valley
Why in the world are Democratic politicians being quoted, either anonymously (most) or by name (ex-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe) as hoping that Trump runs in 2024? Giggling like trick-or-treating children, they are eager to once again take on the man they beat in 2020 and whom every pundit these days is blaming for the Republicans' surprising lack of success in the midterms. The message they are sending, unfortunately, is that the Democrats can only beat a loser, and that facing DeSantis, Pence, Haley or any other GOP challenger to Trump would result in a Republican victory. Worse, they appear to be rooting for another round of the chaos, anger, bigotry and, yes, violence that attends this disgraceful man. Is it not instead time for Democrats, in the waning afterglow of the midterms, to echo Liz Cheney (a Republican) and to step up and tell Merrick Garland that Trump needs to be prosecuted for his innumerable crimes?
Steve Robinson
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dennis Rivera, Foothills
I keep asking myself, did that really happen! As a 75 year old veteran who has voted Democrat his whole life, I felt last Tuesday's election was going to be catastrophic for both the country and my own sanity. The euphoria I feel now is like no other election, even Obama's win in 2008. I was scared the guardrails of our Democracy would not hold against the MAGA Republicans. I'm not exactly sure what I was scared of but I felt horrible dread.
I had lost my love of country to politics and was not interested in meeting any Republican half way. Terribly, the sight of my own flag would bring anger sometimes. INow, If we can put Trump and the haters in our rearview mirror, our country we will have a real chance of moving forward. I'm not naive about the threat the "haters" still pose, but something shifted Tuesday and many of us feel it. Wow! What a week. I'm so proud of us!
Sincerely, Dennis
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jim Bellotty, Green Valley
A PATRIOT’S RESPONSE.
Me: Moderate Republican, immigrant father, practicing Christian, hunter, West Point 1970, Vietnam 1971, engineer, NOT Trump advocate! Idaho-summer; Green Valley, AZ-winter.
Immigration: wall but reasonable design and rules
Crime: I will pull switch myself on some
Taxes: Make more, pay more!
Guns: Join Army and play with AR15, otherwise BAN!
Inflation: Government has limited influence
World: Ukraine fights for freedom and we should support; Afghanistan was a waste!
Women’s Rights: Roe/Wade worked!
World: it’s global; deal with it! Recognize other’s “sphere of influence”
Congress: Solutions are best “bad” solution. Compromise makes SOMETHING happen!
Leaders: need new blood and ideas
War: won’t send YOUR kid? Vote NO!
Infrastructure: Costs MONEY i.e. TAXES
Socialism: I like SSAN and Medicare
WOKE: Don’t change past; change future!
Less fortunate: Golden rule; help them help themselves as best we can.
Jim Bellotty
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary Bradley, Northeast side
Thank you Arizona! We stopped Kari Lake! We believe in Democracy. You lost Kari, we’re sick of seeing you, go to Mar a Lago, your Not welcome here!
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
The 2022 election
I keep asking myself, did that really happen? As a 75-year-old veteran who has voted Democrat his whole life, I felt the election was going to be catastrophic for both the country and my own sanity. The euphoria I feel now is like no other election, even Barack Obama’s win in 2008. I was scared the guardrails of our democracy would not hold against the MAGA Republicans. I’m not exactly sure what I was scared of, but I felt horrible dread.
I had lost my love of country to politics and was not interested in meeting any Republican halfway. Terribly, the sight of my own flag would bring anger sometimes. I know if we can put Donald Trump and the haters in our rearview mirror, our country will have a real chance of moving forward. I’m not naive about the threat the “haters” still pose, but something shifted Nov. 8, and many of us feel it. Wow! I’m so proud of us!
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Why not have campaign limits?
Recognizing that the best campaigner isn’t always the best office-holder, and that perpetual campaigning interferes with actual governance, why not establish campaign limits, as we do with term limits?
We’d spare ourselves constant advertising assaults. Maybe billions saved could be applied to climate disaster relief or balancing the budget. Perhaps leaders could revive mutual respect and collegiality, spiced with humor.
Politicians, please note that ridiculing opponents is not humor. For humor, heed experts: Will Rogers, “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” “This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.” (Substitute “Arizona” and “state Legislature” as needed). Arizona’s Mo Udall, “Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.” “Let’s turn inflation over to the Post Office. That’ll slow it down.” “If nominated, I shall run to Mexico. If elected, I shall fight extradition.”
Ila Abernathy
Midtown
Adults finally went to the polls
A good democracy needs opposing views, and when Republicans and Democrats cooperate, great things can happen for society at large in the form of compromise. Trumpism has, however, finally destroyed all that, especially because the right-wing masses have been whipped into a frenzy over an alleged crisis at the border, over critical race theory, and the absurd abhorrence of abortion.
In the election, so it seems, the adults have finally woken up, at least a good majority, being fed up with infantile charges of election fraud, the hypocrisy of many Republicans who demand the individual’s freedom from the government as long as it concerns male bodies, and the utter disregard of our looming climate crisis. Would not conservatives naturally fight for a strict fiscal policy, excellent education, and the protection of our natural environment? No, too many among them seem to be fixated on self-imposed immigration problems (drug smuggling into an open U.S. market) and the threat of non-white ethnic groups endangering their white privileges.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Democrats can only beat a loser
Why in the world are Democratic politicians being quoted, either anonymously (most) or by name (ex-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe) as hoping that Donald Trump runs in 2024? Giggling like trick-or-treating children, they are eager to once again take on the man they beat in 2020 and whom every pundit these days is blaming for the Republicans’ surprising lack of success in the midterms. The message they are sending, unfortunately, is that the Democrats can only beat a loser, and that facing Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley or any other GOP challenger to Trump would result in a Republican victory. Worse, they appear to be rooting for another round of the chaos, anger, bigotry and, yes, violence that attends this disgraceful man. Is it not instead time for Democrats, in the waning afterglow of the midterms, to echo Liz Cheney (a Republican) and to step up and tell Merrick Garland that Trump needs to be prosecuted for his innumerable crimes?
Steve Robinson
Oro Valley
Christian(?) nationalists
Re: the Nov. 5 article “Real Christianity means welcoming strangers.”
I’m grateful to Rev. Gary Nelson for his guest opinion. It is easy to claim Christianity but hard to practice it.
Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger, but our human brain (specifically, the amygdala) is “hard wired” to automatically elicit feelings of fear and/or aggression toward those who are different from ourselves.
All modern religions attempt to alleviate this condition — teaching variations on The Golden Rule. Though, as we see, results are mixed.
In the Bible, God says to us, “be not afraid” 365 times — once for every day of the year. But it’s a hard sell when one is inundated with violent political rhetoric aimed directly at the brain stem.
Thank you, Reverend Nelson, for having the courage to speak out in the midst of our current political milieu.
Peace be with you.
Greg Lewis
Midtown
Technology exceptions
Technology has been causing many improvements in quality, reliability and speed in transportation, communication, manufacturing and other areas. But there are exceptions.
In the late 19th century, Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes would mail a letter in London in the morning and it would be delivered to the recipient in the early afternoon. This was the case in New York City up to the 1930s. Prior to the year 2000, the final election results would be available by about 10 p.m. Tuesday evening. If there was a close race — 9 a.m., or so, Wednesday morning. The Ford Model T was always painted black and was so straightforward and simple its owners could usually make most of the repairs themselves. Now when you have a fender-bender the vehicle is normally in the shop for two to three weeks and you have to worry about insurance, rental cars, police reports and parts’ availability.
Douglas R. Holm
East side
A patriot’s response
Me: Moderate Republican, immigrant father, practicing Christian, hunter, West Point 1970, Vietnam 1971, engineer, not Trump advocate! Idaho-summer; Green Valley, AZ-winter.
Immigration: Wall but reasonable design and rules
Crime: I will pull switch myself on some
Taxes: Make more, pay more!
Guns: Join Army and play with AR-15, otherwise ban!
Inflation: Government has limited influence
World: Ukraine fights for freedom and we should support; Afghanistan was a waste!
Women’s Rights: Roe/Wade worked!
World: It’s global; Deal with it! Recognize other’s “sphere of influence”
Congress: Solutions are best “bad” solution. Compromise makes something happen!
Leaders: Need new blood and ideas
War: Won’t send your kid? Vote no!
Infrastructure: Costs money i.e. taxes
Socialism: I like Social Security and Medicare
WOKE: Don’t change past; change future!
Less fortunate: Golden rule; help them help themselves as best we can.
Jim Bellotty
Green Valley
Money in politics
Re: the Nov. 13 article “Democrats’ risky bet on GOP election deniers paid off.”
There is far too much money in politics. The Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision will probably lead to the end of our representative republic.
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said that “American people saw that democracy was at risk” and voted accordingly. But by Democrats putting forth money in primaries for unelectable Republican opponents (to run against them in the general election) a one-party state is still very much a threat.
Victor Panizzon
Northwest side
Go away, Lake
Thank you, Arizona! We stopped Kari Lake. We believe in democracy. You lost Kari, we’re sick of seeing you, go to Mar-a-Lago, you’re not welcome here.
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Arizona late vote count
A letter from Nov. 17 asks why Florida can count votes in 24 hours while in Arizona it can take weeks. As a poll worker, let me explain. Arizona has opted to meet every single voter on their terms in providing convenient and secure voting. This decision provides enfranchisement for every single eligible voter in the state. We have early mail in, same-day voting, and same-day ballot drop off. The trade-off is that mail in ballots and election day dropoff ballots must have individual signature verification. This takes time. I strongly believe that making the right to vote easy and convenient is great. There is no value added by insisting all voters line up in person on election day. And before any readers decry mail in voting as subject to fraud, please stipulate your specific evidence. In fact, all those who claim voter fraud should be sentenced to one day of poll worker duty. That will reveal to them how incredibly safe each and every vote is.
Sally Reed
Northeast side
- Norlaine Sproul, Oro Valley
There was a time when voters voted in person at polling places. Nowadays, there are some people who object to measures such as absentee voting/early voting/vote by mail (however it is phrased). How, pray tell, can approximately 150 million voters vote in person on Election Day?
Norlaine Sproul
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Joan MacEachen MD, East side
Medicare Advantage (MA) programs are set to rapidly bankrupt senior’s healthcare. During open enrollment, we are seeing many advertisements for MA programs. Each senior must evaluate the choice for Traditional Medicare (TM) or a MA program. Under TM, the federal government pays directly for health care. Beneficiaries pay monthly premiums and may need to meet a deductible, but they have access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals across the country. Under MA the federal government pays a commercial insurance company to “manage a patient”. The MA companies entice healthy seniors with lower premiums, limited out-of pocket costs, and services such as vision and dental. But as commercial entities, MA are profit motivated and often make money by restricting care through referral requirements and limited networks.
As a Family Medicine doctor with years of experience in caring for Arizonans, I have seen the adverse consequences to seniors who have had to change doctors or been denied care due to the requirements of MA.
Joan MacEachen MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Morrison, Foothills
President Biden knew at the time he issued the Executive Order forgiving student loan debt that he was clearly exceeding his executive authority. And so did other Democrat leaders. This was a crass vote-buying move to garner the young adult vote, which apparently worked.
James Morrison
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Larry Gray, SaddleBrooke
The much vaunted "red wave", aka "red swell", turned out not to be so swell after all.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Return of faith in humanity
After months of vitriol as America, Arizona, and Pima County prepared for midterm elections, my faith in humanity was shaken. We heard clearly false statements and accusations. As the election was happening, I experienced a computer glitch and made an appointment with a computer repair company, “Geeks2You.” One of their young workers, a university student, showed up on time, immediately identified a simple mistake this old man had made, made a few clicks on the keyboard and things worked fine. I pulled out my credit card to make payment, and this pleasant young man said it only took him a couple minutes and that his conscience would not allow him to bill me. This pleasant young university student was kind to an old 83-year-old man and definitely restored my faith in the humanity that will replace people like me! May God bless our future and this young man!
Cliff Wagner
Foothills
Poor organization?
Greetings from London. As someone who has visited Arizona at least 25 times, I think I may be said to be someone with a deep and real affection for the state. So this comes from the heart: Why does ballot counting take so long? I do not imply conspiracy. I think, simply, that it is poor organization. Democracies in the rest of the world get this kind of thing wrapped up in 24 hours.
Terry Tastard
London UK
Early voting? Or not?
There was a time when voters voted in person at polling places. Nowadays, there are some people who object to measures such as absentee voting/early voting/vote by mail (however it is phrased). How, pray tell, can approximately 150 million voters vote in person on Election Day?
Norlaine Sproul
Oro Valley
More like Medicare Disadvantage
Medicare Advantage (MA) programs are set to rapidly bankrupt senior’s health care. During open enrollment, we are seeing many advertisements for MA programs. Each senior must evaluate the choice for Traditional Medicare (TM) or a MA program. Under TM, the federal government pays directly for health care. Beneficiaries pay monthly premiums and may need to meet a deductible, but they have access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals across the country. Under MA, the federal government pays a commercial insurance company to “manage a patient.” The MA companies entice healthy seniors with lower premiums, limited out-of-pocket costs, and services such as vision and dental. But as commercial entities, MA are profit-motivated and often make money by restricting care through referral requirements and limited networks.
As a Family Medicine doctor with years of experience in caring for Arizonans, I have seen the adverse consequences to seniors who have had to change doctors or been denied care due to the requirements of MA.
Joan MacEachen MD
East side
Student loan forgiveness plan
I think President Joe Biden knew at the time he issued the executive order forgiving student loan debt that he was clearly exceeding his executive authority. And so did other Democrat leaders. This was a crass, vote-buying move to garner the young adult vote, which apparently worked.
James Morrison
Foothills
2022 election
The much vaunted “red wave,” aka “red swell,” turned out not to be so swell after all.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
- Karen McKee, West side
AHHHH - a reprieve from political campaign advertising - YAY !!! At least for a little while (which will be all too short, no doubt).
AND - ATTENTION PAC'S (both parties):
Next campaign cycle PLEASE do NOT INSULT American public with the kinds of TV ads run during the 2022 mid-terms! We do NOT want to hear the misleading statements about candidates or candidates' words taken out of context or the nasty accusations we have been exposed to the last several election cycles. We DO want to hear (and read) directly from the candidates themselves ONLY - where he/she stands on the ISSUES, ONLY.
AND - how about savings a few trees ! Send out only ONE piece of mail per candidate, instead of 25 per candidate.
Let's show some consideration for our environment.
Karen McKee
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mark Elson, West side
I must say that former president Donald Trump continues to impress me with his scathing wit, high moral character, and superior intelligence. His labeling of new archenemy Ronald DeSantis as “Ronald DeSanctimonious” is an act of pure genius.
I have two simple questions for the former president, which, if answered correctly, will secure my vote for him in the 2024 election. My questions are: 1) can you please define sanctimonious; and 2) Spell it.
I have no fear that come November 2024 I will be forced to vote for Mr. Trump, none at all.
Mark Elson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Election deniers get denied
Dear Editor: Without celebrating before crossing the goal line, it looks like election deniers Finchem, Masters, and Lake were all denied office by the voters (I expect Lake to deny the 2022 election). All were endorsed by Trump.
There is a message there: Independent voters are fed up with Trump and his traveling circus. The Republicans, if they nominate Trump in 2024, are looking at a sound beating, up and down the ticket. Political pundits talk about “coat tails,” that is, a strong presidential candidate can help office seekers down the ticket. Trump seems to have “reverse coat tails.” Bring him on.
Very Truly Yours,
Richard Sipan
Green Valley
Sanctimonious
I must say that former president Donald Trump continues to impress me with his scathing wit, high moral character, and superior intelligence. His labeling of new archenemy Ron DeSantis as “Ron DeSanctimonious” is an act of pure genius.
I have two simple questions for the former president, which, if answered correctly, will secure my vote for him in the 2024 election. My questions are: 1. can you please define sanctimonious; and 2. Spell it.
I have no fear that come November 2024 I will be forced to vote for Mr. Trump, none at all.
Mark Elson
West side
At last
Post-election Arizona GOP to Trump: “You’re fired!”
Robert Robak
East side
Political campaign advertising
Ahhhh — a reprieve from political campaign advertising — Yay! At least for a little while (which will be all too short, no doubt).
And — attention PAC’s (both parties):
Next campaign cycle please do not insult the American public with the kinds of TV ads run during the 2022 mid-terms! We do not want to hear the misleading statements about candidates or candidates’ words taken out of context or the nasty accusations we have been exposed to the last several election cycles. We do want to hear (and read) directly from the candidates themselves only — where he/she stands on the issues only.
And — how about saving a few trees! Send out only one piece of mail per candidate, instead of 25 per candidate.
Let’s show some consideration for our environment.
Karen McKee
West side
No guarantees in elections
Soon to be former Republican candidate for Arizona governor, Kari Lake, in front of TV cameras, reporters, and the people of Arizona, said that she “guaranteed” she would win the election and be elected to office. This was the day following the election while there remained hundreds of thousands of votes to be counted and a very close race. As a former local elected official, I know that it is impossible to know the outcome of an election in advance, let alone “guarantee” victory. So do we all. Unless the system really is rigged. For you! You could never have taken the oath of office that demands allegiance to the United States, the State of Arizoa and its citizens and to uphold the law. You were never qualified for the job, Kari. You keep showing us.
Paul Simon
Northwest side
- George Monroe, Midtown
Ukraine is costing many billions of dollars and additional billions of Euros from Western Europe and other countries. Why are the Western Europeans willing to suffer cold homes and reduced industrial production by cutting back on Russian energy? Why are they too stripping their military supplies? Why are we doing the same?
Autocratic governments in the world are becoming more popular than Democracies.
Then why did Ukrainians cheer when the Ukrainian soldiers retook their villages? Those Ukrainians had just voted to live under an autocratic government.
Let us give 100s of billions now to Ukrainians fighting to take back their country.
If the threat to use nuclear weapons results in Russia winning control of valuable resources in a neighboring country then other Autocrats will want to build nuclear weapons too.
Ukrainians must get their country back. We must help to send that message to the World.
George Monroe
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Joe Sanchez, Marana
Dem Blue stables garnered a few wins and Rep Red stables won a few. Each day the odds kept changing. They were all over the board. Neck to neck races. Some won by a length and some by a nose. They crossed the finish line and checked the results. Win- you govern; Place- you go to the gym; Show- you go home. Very dignified response from one jockey. If you don't know, BS stands for Best Salutations!
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Updated
Kari Lake’s comment
Kari Lake said, “Arizonans know BS when they see it.” She’s correct with that statement and we voted it out.
Jose Salgado
Northeast side
Arizona Derby
Dem Blue stables garnered a few wins and Rep Red stables won a few. Each day the odds kept changing. They were all over the board. Neck to neck races. Some won by a length and some by a nose. They crossed the finish line and checked the results. Win-you govern; Place-you go to the gym; Show-you go home. Very dignified response from one jockey. If you don’t know, BS stands for Best Salutations!
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Election results
For all you liberals out there (and I know there’s many because I do read the editorials). Why can Florida, with a greater population than Arizona, have election results in less than 24 hours and Arizona takes days and days? Either our secretary of state is incompetent or devious. If she’s incompetent, I can’t see why you would want her as governor of our state. If she’s devious, I can see exactly why you want her as governor.
Scott Langpap
Sierra Vista
Disgraceful Arizona congressman
Arizona Rep. Biggs is a disgrace not only to the Grand Canyon State, but to all decent Americans. I submit for your review, the following; his recent remarks on the attempted murder of Mr. Pelosi, his response to the insurrection, and his loyalty to a disgraced criminal president. Of course, this is simply my opinion. Peace out.
Jon Cooper
Northwest side
Support Ukraine
Ukraine is costing many billions of dollars and additional billions of Euros from Western Europe and other countries. Why are the Western Europeans willing to suffer cold homes and reduced industrial production by cutting back on Russian energy? Why are they, too, stripping their military supplies? Why are we doing the same? Autocratic governments in the world are becoming more popular than democracies.
Then why did Ukrainians cheer when the Ukrainian soldiers retook their villages? Those Ukrainians had just voted to live under an autocratic government.
Let us give 100s of billions now to Ukrainians fighting to take back their country.
If the threat to use nuclear weapons results in Russia winning control of valuable resources in a neighboring country, then other autocrats will want to build nuclear weapons, too.
Ukrainians must get their country back. We must help to send that message to the world.
George Monroe
Midtown
Citizens for Sanity ads in the AZ Daily Star
Last Sunday morning I picked up the AZ Daily Star and in the front section was an ad by a group calling itself Citizens for Sanity. This group, a dark-money PAC, spread misinformation and lies about candidates throughout the midterm election campaigns throughout the country, using anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric. How much money has the Star made publishing ads that spread lies and racist ideology? Hateful and racist speech lead to hate crimes. I am disappointed in the Star and seriously considering canceling my subscription. Stop the hate ads now!
Sarah Roberts
West side
- Updated
Another day the music died
We bemoan that today’s music is not as good as when we grew up. I think I know why. When we grew up, musicians could “be discovered,” get record contracts, sell millions of records, and make a lot of money. When Fleetwood Mac released “Albatross” in 1968 and it hit #1 in Europe, I bet they rushed to the studio and started composing. Great musicians working feverishly to compose awesome music that we loved. That mold has been broken. Now bar bands struggle to even cover the cost of performing. We’ve killed music.
Thad Appelman
Northwest side
Women’s basketball fans deserve better
Re: Nov. 20 article “Hansen’s Sunday Notebook: Barnes: ‘It needs to be equal.’ “
I share Coach Barnes’s frustration with the lack of television opportunities for the University of Arizona women’s basketball team, per Greg Hansen’s Sunday Notebook. The UA plays twice in the University of San Diego Thanksgiving Classic this coming weekend, and it appears neither game will be televised or streamed.
I’ve gotten used to searching for women’s away games on obscure sports channels, or streaming games on glitchy connections, but to not have any viewing options this weekend is unconscionable. I expect the Pac-12 to rectify this when they renegotiate their media contract. How do they ever expect to grow the sport if they don’t get eyeballs on the games?
Laura Penny
Foothills
Time to focus on what unites us: Education
Now that we’re past the election, it’s time we focus on what unites us: Education.
A recent poll by Education Forward Arizona, a nonpartisan nonprofit, found that the vast majority of Arizonans want more funding for schools and to increase teacher pay. Meanwhile, we need to hear from our governor and state legislators about how they will invest in and improve our children’s education.
In Tucson Unified School District, we need to pay our teachers and staff a livable wage and give them the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. We must provide teachers with meaningful professional development. Teachers want to make a difference and if we show them respect they will want to stay in the classroom.
Our community is clear about what we want our state to do: put a qualified teacher in every classroom, give teachers a raise, invest in our schools and give students more opportunities for career and technical education. It’s high time our elected officials make this happen.
Jennifer Eckstrom, recently elected to the TUSD governing board
Southwest side
Advice for Kari Lake
Stop it! You lost because enough Arizonans saw through the smoke and insanity of you and your election issues to deem you unfit for office. Enough already! Arizona denied the deniers and is ready to move on to real issues that affect our state and country. I know you know the election was fair, so stop whining like you have just lost the high school prom queen race. We have real issues facing us and hopefully with people like yourself gone we can try to find some common ground and some solutions.
Steve Gorenstein
Northeast side
- steve gorenstein, Northeast side
Stop it! - You lost because enough arizonans saw thru the smoke and insanity of you and your election issues to deem you unfit for office. Enough already! Arizona denied the deniers and is ready to move on to real issues that affect our state and country. I know you know the election was fair so stop whining like you have just lost the highschool prom queen race . We have real issues facing us and hopefully with people like yourself gone we can try to find some common ground and some solutions.
steve gorenstein
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loyal M Johnson Jr, Oro Valley
The $10,000 student loan payments, now on hold, were going to be paid by check directly to the students who contracted for the loads. Are you kidding me! Will the recipients pay on their loans with that cash or will they use it for vacations as some recipients have already planned. This Administration is absolutely incompetent regarding this issue. Why would the payments not be sent to the loan holders? This action confirms the suspicion that the payments were in lieu of votes. Shamefully illustrative of the rot and someone should pay
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
More like this...
- Tom Mc Gorray, Northwest side
For the wealth that is our nation
For your answer to our call.
For the freedoms that we shared alike,
That let us each stand tall.
For the bounty of your goodness
For the paths we all did trod
For the bravery of our fallen ones,
We thank thee, O my God!
For the weary who have come here
And your graces day and night.
For all that you have given
For the strength to do what’s right
For Thy safety and protection,
And your disciplining rod
In the fight against crimes evil,
We thank Thee, O my God!
For this day that is thanksgiving
And the gifts you have bestowed
For success in our endeavors,
And making strait our road
For the blessings of good neighbors
Your approval and your nod,
For our bretheran who have fallen,
We thank Thee, O my God
For the splendor of your wisdom
Deep rooted in all things
For justice that is always served
And all that goodness brings.
For our people steeped in courage,
We stand so proud, yet awed,
For watching o'er this land of ours
We thank Thee, O my God.
Tom Mc Gorray
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Thad Appelman, Northwest side
We bemoan that today’s music is not as good as when we grew up. I think I know why. When we grew up, musicians could ‘be discovered’, get record contracts, sell millions of records, and make a lot of money. When Fleetwood Mac released “Albatross” in 1968 and it hit #1 in Europe, I bet they rushed to the studio and started composing. Great musicians working feverishly to compose awesome music that we loved. That mold has been broken. Now bar bands struggle to even cover the cost of performing. We’ve killed music.
Thad Appelman
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steve Pothier, East side
The opinion piece by Jim Bellotty (Sunday, Nov 20) was a breath of fresh air. I'm a moderate Democrat with a background that is quite different than Jim's. With his succinct, simple and elegant 15 point summary, Jim demonstrated a way to untangle divisiveness that's better than anything I've seen recently. I find that I agree with almost all of his points to some degree. If both sides of congress recognized the commonality we do share, perhaps we would see more useful compromise.
Well done, Jim! Thank you!
Steve Pothier
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Keep up the good work, Republicans
Congratulations to Republican voters and Independents (who switched to a Republican ballot) in the primary to nominate Lake, Finchem, Masters, and Hamadeh. By doing so, they elected the worst Republican candidates to run in November. And let’s not forget Arizona’s ice cream man Doug Ducey, who on his watch not only lost two U.S. Senate seats but governor, secretary of state and attorney general. And let’s also not forget Ducey’s accomplishments: the raid on the State Land Trust fund (123), the destruction of public education, tax cuts (how’s that working out for the middle class?), and the stacking of the Arizona Supreme Court. Even retired Chief Justice Bales wrote at that time additional judges are not needed and expansion “is not warranted when other court-related needs are underfunded” and will cost the state an additional $1 million. My sincere hope is that Republicans keep on nominating unelectable candidates.
Clyde R. Steele
Oro Valley
Legislative District 17
The current Legislative District 17 was gerrymandered last year to make it easier for Republicans to win. And it looks like the Pro-Trump MAGA GOP Freedom Team of Cory McGarr, Rachel Jones and Justine Wadsack will win. But only by 2,000 of 120,000 votes cast. Fifty-eight thousand people did not support their ideas. That is not an overwhelming mandate of support. No matter for whom they voted, most of the people in LD 17 want many of the same things: more teachers, better teachers, having a say in how the schools are run, control over their own bodies and health, less gun violence, reliable water supply and lower living costs for disadvantaged and working families. These new legislators will have an opportunity to listen to and work with people with whom they disagree and find some common ground to come up with workable solutions that help all of us.
John Higgins
Southeast side
Election
I spent a couple hours watching the election process at the Pima County Recorder’s Office. The process was down to hand counting ballots that had problems on them. Save everybody time, please, and quit writing in Don Duck or Willy Wonka or Stan Lee. Elections are really important things, not frivolous. The talliers are very serious people doing a difficult job. Be considerate.
Nan Schubel
Midtown
Bridging the divide
Re: Nov. 20 letter “A patriot’s response.”
The letter was a breath of fresh air. I’m a moderate Democrat with a background that is quite different than the letter writer’s. With his succinct, simple and elegant 15-point summary, he demonstrated a way to untangle divisiveness that’s better than anything I’ve seen recently. I find that I agree with almost all of his points to some degree. If both sides of Congress recognized the commonality we do share, perhaps we would see more useful compromise.
Well done! Thank you!
Steve Pothier
East side
Refocus your energy
We’ve all endured a far too long election season. Now that the dust has settled, we’d be well-served to take off our partisan hats and refocus our attention and energy on our community.
Politics has an ugly way of taking up all the energy in our lives. It’s easy to don our partisan hats and stick to our groups. I’d ask us all to reconnect with neighbors, even those you might politically disagree with. Volunteer in the community. We can’t always look to politicians to solve our problems. Feed the hungry, work on housing issues, teach literacy, work with animals or on environmental issues, whatever your passion is. Please, put the remote down and head out and reconnect with the community in a positive way.
Unfortunately, the 2024 election cycle will soon be upon us, with bloviating politicians and far too many ads. So get involved today in a positive way in the community and meet a few neighbors, too!.
Stephen Caster
Oro Valley
- George Monroe, Midtown
Chris Magnus leader of OUR Border Agency.
1. Limiting high speed chases of overloaded vans to reduce fatalities is a humanitarian value.
2. Apprehensions of Border Crossings are over a million per year. Should he be so cruel to the crossers that they will discourage others from following in their footsteps? Is cruelty by our Law Enforcement officials to be one of our National Values? Do you wish to live in a country with that value? Our government needs to pass Immigration Reform laws. Republican and Democrats both want this. We need the labor of the immigrants.
3. When climate change forces tens and then hundreds of million immigrants to cross our borders then millions of us will also be moving to cooler climes like Canada. This is going to be a problem for our children and grandchildren that we need to start fixing now.
George Monroe
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Galen Babbidge, East side
Can't understand the democrats tried every socialist way to get rid of Trump and failed. Why can't the American public take serious heed to this. The democrats stole the last presidential election I don't know how but I will continue to expose their betrayal of the american voting system. Plus the fact for the last two years the democrats have all but destroyed this country. Biden is a joke his staff is telling him what to do plus both houses are run by anti-American theology. This election is another result again the democrats have again controlled the vote and again I will persue getting answers as to how their doing it. This election this year watching closely notice the democrats stealing the vote. I perdict the damn demorcats will keep control of both houses, if so we will suffer another two years of democrat excessive abuse of federal government funds.
What's wrong with country have we become sheep easily preyed by demoratic wolfs ?
Galen Babbidge
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
I support Magnus
Chris Magnus, leader of our border agency.
1. Limiting high speed chases of overloaded vans to reduce fatalities is a humanitarian value.
2. Apprehensions of border crossings are over a million per year. Should he be so cruel to the crossers that they will discourage others from following in their footsteps? Is cruelty by our law enforcement officials to be one of our national values? Do you wish to live in a country with that value? Our government needs to pass immigration reform laws. Republican and Democrats both want this. We need the labor of the immigrants.
3. When climate change forces tens and then hundreds of millions of immigrants to cross our borders then millions of us will also be moving to cooler climes like Canada. This is going to be a problem for our children and grandchildren that we need to start fixing now.
George Monroe
Midtown
Election 2022
Hey, Kari Lake.
Why not continue following your Trumpy playbook and call the Arizona secretary of state and ask her to please just find you the 20,000 or so votes that you need to win?
Scott Seidler
Midtown
Bike theft problem
We have a real problem in Tucson with bike thefts. I lost three and one friend said she had a total of five stolen. These were locked up in very public places.
The first thing the police ask is "What is the serial number?" When you tell them you don't have it, they inform you too bad, sorry about your bike that is the end of it. If you can't prove it is yours it wasn't stolen.
So if you have a bike you care about take a photo of the serial number or even better write it down on the inside of your closet door. Then when it is stolen you will have at least a tiny chance of getting it back.
It is a sad fact that you can't own a bicycle here without having it stolen.
Robert McNeil
Midtown
Sore loser Lake
When the governor's race was called for Katie Hobbs, instead of finding a crumb of professionalism or graciousness, Kari Lake instead continued her Donald Trump-inspired nastiness with her tweet "Arizonans know BS when they see it." I think Lake is actually right about that, given the results of most of the key statewide races.
Deb Klumpp
Oro Valley
Homelessness
As the housing crisis worsens, homelessness increases, and there are over 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in Pima County. This is a complex issue involving individual/socioeconomic factors that must be considered.
As students at the UA's college of public health, we believe homelessness is a public health issue because it causes chronic physical/mental health conditions. It’s also cited as a Social Determinant of Health by the Department of Health & Human Services.
WORKship is an incredible resource. Beginning in Tucson (2000), WORKship has become a program that provides community health services to over 200 individuals experiencing homelessness, weekly. They perform first-aid street patrol for the community.
Based on these facts, we urge the Mayor of Tucson, Regina Romero, to allocate funds to support the work of this organization in providing social services to the community. In doing so, the mayor will fulfill the government obligation in caring for its residents and reduce their social and emotional burden.
Ana Gonzalez, Katelyn Madrid, Clayton Moralez, Maria Nunes
Northeast side
- Phineas Anderson, Catalina
Don't despair Kari.
You will soon receive a call from Donald who will ask you to be his Vice President.
He wants you to join him because you are attractive, a TV personality like him, will feed his ego, will deny your loss, will put yourself before country, and be as untruthful as he is.
So don't despair. But do remember one thing: you are both losers and will lose again in 2024.
Phineas Anderson
Catalina
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Craig Miller, Northwest side
I really hope Trump runs again. He's lost the popular vote by increasing margins. Knowing his casino background maybe he's betting in Vegas in a parlay bet to keep doubling his losses in popular vote, from 3 to 7 million maybe 14 this time. Anything for money. He has been an anchor for Republican candidates that curried his favor. He's the gift for Democrats that keeps on giving.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Renewables
The Nov. 14 Wall Street Journal had a supplement about renewables. In one section I noted that China has 86% of the lithium battery market. Does anyone remember what happened in 1973 and 1978 when much of the oil was coming from the Middle East? No reasonable business would be rushing head long into a market so out of balance. We need a strategy with balance, not one created by zealots. If we continue, we will have cars with no fuel, windmills and solar panels with no storage, homes with no heat, etc. We have forsaken the system that made us the most advanced and powerful and benevolent nation on the earth. Get government out of the way!
Bill Blaine
Marana
Donald will call soon, Kari
Don’t despair, Kari Lake.
You will soon receive a call from Donald Trump, who will ask you to be his vice president.
He wants you to join him because you are attractive, a TV personality like him, will feed his ego, will deny your loss, will put yourself before country and be as untruthful as he is. So don’t despair. But do remember one thing: You both will lose again in 2024.
Phineas Anderson
Catalina
Run again, Trump
I (am glad) Donald Trump is running again. He’s lost the popular vote by increasing margins. Knowing his casino background, maybe he’s betting in Vegas in a parlay bet to keep doubling his losses in popular vote, from 3 to 7 million to maybe 14 this time. Anything for money. He has been an anchor for Republican candidates that curried his favor. He’s the gift for Democrats that keeps on giving.
Craig Miller
Northwest side
AZ GOP deniers fly into oblivion
Arizona Republican deniers followed “Biggest Loser Trumpty Dumpty” down his incandescent yellow brick road, to the cliff, and off into oblivion.
Jerry Wilkerson
SaddleBrooke
Time to rethink strategy
Now that the 2022 general election has ended in disaster for Arizona Republicans in most high-profile races, a period of reckoning and finger-pointing will almost surely ensue. A good analytical starting point for what went wrong is a piece dated April 2, 2021, that appeared in the Star (and is available in its archives) entitled “Political Notebook: Pima County Republican leads rebellion against state chair Kelli Ward.” In it, the author profiled a struggle that Arizona Republicans were then engaged in for the heart, soul, leadership and future direction of their party. In the coming months, it will be interesting to learn if Republicans take stock of (or double down on) the strategies they employed in this year’s election and last year’s leadership decisions.
Bruce Skolnik
Northeast side
Adieu to Lake
After losing the governor’s race to Katie Hobbs, Trump Mini-Me Kari Lake stated “Arizonans know BS when they see it.” Lake is finally correct. Yes, the majority of Arizonans will not miss her. She has been exposed. Last advice to Lake: People that blame things, don’t change things.
David Keating
Northeast side
- Fred DiNoto, Northwest side
No matter your party affiliation I think a majority of us are grateful the elections are over. It appears we still have a democracy. Prior to the elections, that statement was in doubt. The importance of our vote should never be taken for granted. Recent legislation that has been proposed and some even passed to stifle and diminish our voting rights should be fought vigorously. Of course those Republican candidates who were endorsed by the former president and lost their elections have been called by him as weak and poor candidates. I would hope that this would be a wake up call for future candidates what happens when you sell your soul to the devil. All future candidates should remember the pledge of allegiance. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands." Not a man or a party.
Fred DiNoto
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Max LaPlante, Southeast side
Now that the elections are over, campaigns have concluded, and mud slinging has ceased, it’s time
for all of # 45’s backed candidates to be rounded up and placed on buses, not destined to NY City or to Martha’s Vineyard, but to Mar-a-Lago where they can start and develop an election denier utopia. Here they can sell snake oil, while peddling notions of conspiracy theories and non-truths, all while guzzling cockamamie Kool Aid and gorging themselves on Fiddle Faddle. The utopia will also contain an
amusement park complete with a 3 ring circus employing thousands of clowns and instead of “It’s
a Small World”, the ride will be called “It’s a Trump World After All”. The park will be aptly named
MAGA LAND!
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Galvin, Sahuarita
Electric vs. Carbon energy is a topic that has proponents on both sides with good arguments for all. Here is what I know for sure.
I have a Chevy Bolt and a Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gets 20 mpg. If gas is $3.00 a gallon, it costs $.15 per mile to fuel the car. The fuel cost per mile for the Bolt, being electric, is figured differently. The car has 2,229 miles on it. I power the car through an electric meter and have installed 396 KWH so far in the car at $.1447/KWH. 396 times $.1447 equals $57.30 divide that by 2,229 miles equals $.025 per mile. Now there has to be a specific need to use the Santa Fe.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Voters say democracy over tyranny
No matter your party affiliation, I think a majority of us are grateful the elections are over.
It appears we still have a democracy. Prior to the elections, that statement was in doubt.
The importance of our vote should never be taken for granted. Recent legislation that has been proposed, and some even passed, to stifle and diminish our voting rights should be fought vigorously. Of course, those Republican candidates who were endorsed by the former president and lost their elections have been called by him as weak and poor candidates.
I would hope that this would be a wake-up call for future candidates what happens when you sell your soul. All future candidates should remember the pledge of allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.”
Not a man or a party.
Fred DiNoto
Northwest side
Welcome to MAGA Land
Now that the elections are over, campaigns have concluded, and mudslinging has ceased, it’s time for all of No. 45’s backed candidates to be rounded up and placed on buses, not destined to New York City or to Martha’s Vineyard, but to Mar-a-Lago where they can start and develop an election-denier utopia.
Here they can sell snake oil, while peddling notions of conspiracy theories and non-truths, all while guzzling cockamamie Kool Aid and gorging themselves on Fiddle Faddle.
The utopia will also contain an amusement park complete with a three-ring circus employing thousands of clowns and instead of “It’s a Small World,” the ride will be called “It’s a Trump World After All.”
Max LaPlante
Southeast side
Cars: Gas vs. Electric
Electric vs. carbon energy is a topic that has proponents on both sides with good arguments for all. Here is what I know for sure:
I have a Chevy Bolt and a Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gets 20 mpg. If gas is $3 a gallon, it costs $.15 per mile to fuel the car.
The fuel cost per mile for the Bolt, being electric, is figured differently.
The car has 2,229 miles on it.
I power the car through an electric meter and have installed 396 KWH so far in the car at $.1447/KWH, which equals $.025 per mile. Now there has to be a specific need to use the Santa Fe.
James Galvin
Sahuarita
Transportation and climate change
It is frustrating to read about the challenges the RTA Citizens Advisory Committee is having to even discuss something as inescapable and universal as climate change.
We know that individual transportation makes up one-third of our climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions, yet we were presented with proof in Nicole Ludden’s Sunday article (“Members of citizen-led RTA group concerned about harsh oversight”) that some leaders in our community (Marana’s Mayor Ed Honea) still don’t think climate change is a serious enough issue to prioritize transit or investments in biking and walking that can help everyone use their car less.
This “pursue growth at all costs” model by building more and wider roads is why we are staring at the brink of environmental collapse, yet there seems to be a shortage of leaders who are willing to change course and ensure a livable region for us all.
Melissa Mason
Midtown
Redistricting
Since the Civil Rights era, I’ve been largely supportive of the policy initiatives of the Democratic Party.
I’ve been registered as a Democrat, in order to vote in primaries and to work within the party’s structure. But a party whose representatives on last year’s Independent Redistricting Commission acceded to the choice as chairman of an obviously conservative former Republican did not serve the people of Arizona well.
Under the leadership of Tucson Republican David Mehl and Chairman Erika Neuberg, the IRC gave us LD17, the mother of all gerrymanders, and CDs 6 and 7, needlessly maximizing Raul Grijalva’s minority voters and minimizing Tucson’s place in CD6, won by Juan Ciscomani.
Since the election, my wife and I have moved from the Tanque Verde Valley to central Tucson and I’m about to re-register at our new address. Firmly convinced that the institutional Democratic Party does not serve our people well, I’ll become officially what I’ve always tried to be in practice, Independent.
Frank Bergen
North side
Trump in 2024?
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, what does filing 63 losing lawsuits with the same complaint indicate?
As a lifelong Republican, I hope the party regains its sanity, goes back to basics and rejects the extremist views of its vocal minority.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
- Todd Ackerman, Foothills
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, what does filing 63 losing lawsuits with the same complaint indicate?
As a lifelong Republican, I hope the party regains its sanity, goes back to basics and rejects the extremist views of its vocal minority.
Todd Ackerman
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Albrecht Classen, Midtown
A good democracy needs opposing views, and when Republicans and Democrats cooperate, great things can happen for society at large in the form of compromise. Trumpism has, however, finally destroyed all that, especially because the right-wing masses have been whipped into a frenzy over an alleged crisis at the border, over Critical Race Theory, and the absurd abhorrence of abortion. In the election, so it seems, the adults have finally woken up, at least a good majority, being fed up with infantile charges of election fraud, the hypocrisy of many Republicans who demand the individual’s freedom from the government as long as it concerns male bodies, and the utter disregard of our looming climate crisis. Would not conservatives naturally fight for a strict fiscal policy, excellent education, and the protection of our natural environment? No, too many infantiles among them seem to be fixated on self-imposed immigration problems (drug smuggling into an open US market!) and the threat of non-white ethnic groups endangering their white privileges.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Douglas R. Holm, East side
Technology has been causing many improvements in quality, reliability and speed in transportation, communication, manufacturing and other areas, but there are exceptions. In the late 19th century, Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes would mail a letter in London in the morning and it would be delivered to the recipient in the early afternoon. This was the case in New York City up to the 1930s. Prior to the year 2000, the final election results would be available by about 10PM Tuesday evening. If there was a close race, 9AM, or so, Wednesday morning. The Ford Model T was always painted black and is was so straightforward and simple its owners could usually make most of the repairs themselves. Now when you have a fender-bender the vehicle is normally in the shop for two to three weeks and you have to worry about insurance, rental cars, police reports and parts' availability.
Douglas R. Holm
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Victor Panizzon, Northwest side
Re: the Nov. 13 article "Democrats' risky bet on GOP election deniers paid off."
There is far too much money in politics. The Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision will probably lead to the end of our Representative Republic.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said that “American people saw that democracy was at risk” and voted accordingly. But by Democrats putting forth money in primaries for unelectable Republican opponents (to run against them in the general election) a one-party state is still very much a threat.
Victor Panizzon
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Steve Robinson, Oro Valley
Why in the world are Democratic politicians being quoted, either anonymously (most) or by name (ex-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe) as hoping that Trump runs in 2024? Giggling like trick-or-treating children, they are eager to once again take on the man they beat in 2020 and whom every pundit these days is blaming for the Republicans' surprising lack of success in the midterms. The message they are sending, unfortunately, is that the Democrats can only beat a loser, and that facing DeSantis, Pence, Haley or any other GOP challenger to Trump would result in a Republican victory. Worse, they appear to be rooting for another round of the chaos, anger, bigotry and, yes, violence that attends this disgraceful man. Is it not instead time for Democrats, in the waning afterglow of the midterms, to echo Liz Cheney (a Republican) and to step up and tell Merrick Garland that Trump needs to be prosecuted for his innumerable crimes?
Steve Robinson
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Dennis Rivera, Foothills
I keep asking myself, did that really happen! As a 75 year old veteran who has voted Democrat his whole life, I felt last Tuesday's election was going to be catastrophic for both the country and my own sanity. The euphoria I feel now is like no other election, even Obama's win in 2008. I was scared the guardrails of our Democracy would not hold against the MAGA Republicans. I'm not exactly sure what I was scared of but I felt horrible dread.
I had lost my love of country to politics and was not interested in meeting any Republican half way. Terribly, the sight of my own flag would bring anger sometimes. INow, If we can put Trump and the haters in our rearview mirror, our country we will have a real chance of moving forward. I'm not naive about the threat the "haters" still pose, but something shifted Tuesday and many of us feel it. Wow! What a week. I'm so proud of us!
Sincerely, Dennis
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Jim Bellotty, Green Valley
A PATRIOT’S RESPONSE.
Me: Moderate Republican, immigrant father, practicing Christian, hunter, West Point 1970, Vietnam 1971, engineer, NOT Trump advocate! Idaho-summer; Green Valley, AZ-winter.
Immigration: wall but reasonable design and rules
Crime: I will pull switch myself on some
Taxes: Make more, pay more!
Guns: Join Army and play with AR15, otherwise BAN!
Inflation: Government has limited influence
World: Ukraine fights for freedom and we should support; Afghanistan was a waste!
Women’s Rights: Roe/Wade worked!
World: it’s global; deal with it! Recognize other’s “sphere of influence”
Congress: Solutions are best “bad” solution. Compromise makes SOMETHING happen!
Leaders: need new blood and ideas
War: won’t send YOUR kid? Vote NO!
Infrastructure: Costs MONEY i.e. TAXES
Socialism: I like SSAN and Medicare
WOKE: Don’t change past; change future!
Less fortunate: Golden rule; help them help themselves as best we can.
Jim Bellotty
Green Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mary Bradley, Northeast side
Thank you Arizona! We stopped Kari Lake! We believe in Democracy. You lost Kari, we’re sick of seeing you, go to Mar a Lago, your Not welcome here!
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
The 2022 election
I keep asking myself, did that really happen? As a 75-year-old veteran who has voted Democrat his whole life, I felt the election was going to be catastrophic for both the country and my own sanity. The euphoria I feel now is like no other election, even Barack Obama’s win in 2008. I was scared the guardrails of our democracy would not hold against the MAGA Republicans. I’m not exactly sure what I was scared of, but I felt horrible dread.
I had lost my love of country to politics and was not interested in meeting any Republican halfway. Terribly, the sight of my own flag would bring anger sometimes. I know if we can put Donald Trump and the haters in our rearview mirror, our country will have a real chance of moving forward. I’m not naive about the threat the “haters” still pose, but something shifted Nov. 8, and many of us feel it. Wow! I’m so proud of us!
Dennis Rivera
Foothills
Why not have campaign limits?
Recognizing that the best campaigner isn’t always the best office-holder, and that perpetual campaigning interferes with actual governance, why not establish campaign limits, as we do with term limits?
We’d spare ourselves constant advertising assaults. Maybe billions saved could be applied to climate disaster relief or balancing the budget. Perhaps leaders could revive mutual respect and collegiality, spiced with humor.
Politicians, please note that ridiculing opponents is not humor. For humor, heed experts: Will Rogers, “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” “This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.” (Substitute “Arizona” and “state Legislature” as needed). Arizona’s Mo Udall, “Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.” “Let’s turn inflation over to the Post Office. That’ll slow it down.” “If nominated, I shall run to Mexico. If elected, I shall fight extradition.”
Ila Abernathy
Midtown
Adults finally went to the polls
A good democracy needs opposing views, and when Republicans and Democrats cooperate, great things can happen for society at large in the form of compromise. Trumpism has, however, finally destroyed all that, especially because the right-wing masses have been whipped into a frenzy over an alleged crisis at the border, over critical race theory, and the absurd abhorrence of abortion.
In the election, so it seems, the adults have finally woken up, at least a good majority, being fed up with infantile charges of election fraud, the hypocrisy of many Republicans who demand the individual’s freedom from the government as long as it concerns male bodies, and the utter disregard of our looming climate crisis. Would not conservatives naturally fight for a strict fiscal policy, excellent education, and the protection of our natural environment? No, too many among them seem to be fixated on self-imposed immigration problems (drug smuggling into an open U.S. market) and the threat of non-white ethnic groups endangering their white privileges.
Albrecht Classen
Midtown
Democrats can only beat a loser
Why in the world are Democratic politicians being quoted, either anonymously (most) or by name (ex-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe) as hoping that Donald Trump runs in 2024? Giggling like trick-or-treating children, they are eager to once again take on the man they beat in 2020 and whom every pundit these days is blaming for the Republicans’ surprising lack of success in the midterms. The message they are sending, unfortunately, is that the Democrats can only beat a loser, and that facing Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley or any other GOP challenger to Trump would result in a Republican victory. Worse, they appear to be rooting for another round of the chaos, anger, bigotry and, yes, violence that attends this disgraceful man. Is it not instead time for Democrats, in the waning afterglow of the midterms, to echo Liz Cheney (a Republican) and to step up and tell Merrick Garland that Trump needs to be prosecuted for his innumerable crimes?
Steve Robinson
Oro Valley
Christian(?) nationalists
Re: the Nov. 5 article “Real Christianity means welcoming strangers.”
I’m grateful to Rev. Gary Nelson for his guest opinion. It is easy to claim Christianity but hard to practice it.
Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger, but our human brain (specifically, the amygdala) is “hard wired” to automatically elicit feelings of fear and/or aggression toward those who are different from ourselves.
All modern religions attempt to alleviate this condition — teaching variations on The Golden Rule. Though, as we see, results are mixed.
In the Bible, God says to us, “be not afraid” 365 times — once for every day of the year. But it’s a hard sell when one is inundated with violent political rhetoric aimed directly at the brain stem.
Thank you, Reverend Nelson, for having the courage to speak out in the midst of our current political milieu.
Peace be with you.
Greg Lewis
Midtown
Technology exceptions
Technology has been causing many improvements in quality, reliability and speed in transportation, communication, manufacturing and other areas. But there are exceptions.
In the late 19th century, Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes would mail a letter in London in the morning and it would be delivered to the recipient in the early afternoon. This was the case in New York City up to the 1930s. Prior to the year 2000, the final election results would be available by about 10 p.m. Tuesday evening. If there was a close race — 9 a.m., or so, Wednesday morning. The Ford Model T was always painted black and was so straightforward and simple its owners could usually make most of the repairs themselves. Now when you have a fender-bender the vehicle is normally in the shop for two to three weeks and you have to worry about insurance, rental cars, police reports and parts’ availability.
Douglas R. Holm
East side
A patriot’s response
Me: Moderate Republican, immigrant father, practicing Christian, hunter, West Point 1970, Vietnam 1971, engineer, not Trump advocate! Idaho-summer; Green Valley, AZ-winter.
Immigration: Wall but reasonable design and rules
Crime: I will pull switch myself on some
Taxes: Make more, pay more!
Guns: Join Army and play with AR-15, otherwise ban!
Inflation: Government has limited influence
World: Ukraine fights for freedom and we should support; Afghanistan was a waste!
Women’s Rights: Roe/Wade worked!
World: It’s global; Deal with it! Recognize other’s “sphere of influence”
Congress: Solutions are best “bad” solution. Compromise makes something happen!
Leaders: Need new blood and ideas
War: Won’t send your kid? Vote no!
Infrastructure: Costs money i.e. taxes
Socialism: I like Social Security and Medicare
WOKE: Don’t change past; change future!
Less fortunate: Golden rule; help them help themselves as best we can.
Jim Bellotty
Green Valley
Money in politics
Re: the Nov. 13 article “Democrats’ risky bet on GOP election deniers paid off.”
There is far too much money in politics. The Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision will probably lead to the end of our representative republic.
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said that “American people saw that democracy was at risk” and voted accordingly. But by Democrats putting forth money in primaries for unelectable Republican opponents (to run against them in the general election) a one-party state is still very much a threat.
Victor Panizzon
Northwest side
Go away, Lake
Thank you, Arizona! We stopped Kari Lake. We believe in democracy. You lost Kari, we’re sick of seeing you, go to Mar-a-Lago, you’re not welcome here.
Mary Bradley
Northeast side
Arizona late vote count
A letter from Nov. 17 asks why Florida can count votes in 24 hours while in Arizona it can take weeks. As a poll worker, let me explain. Arizona has opted to meet every single voter on their terms in providing convenient and secure voting. This decision provides enfranchisement for every single eligible voter in the state. We have early mail in, same-day voting, and same-day ballot drop off. The trade-off is that mail in ballots and election day dropoff ballots must have individual signature verification. This takes time. I strongly believe that making the right to vote easy and convenient is great. There is no value added by insisting all voters line up in person on election day. And before any readers decry mail in voting as subject to fraud, please stipulate your specific evidence. In fact, all those who claim voter fraud should be sentenced to one day of poll worker duty. That will reveal to them how incredibly safe each and every vote is.
Sally Reed
Northeast side
- Norlaine Sproul, Oro Valley
There was a time when voters voted in person at polling places. Nowadays, there are some people who object to measures such as absentee voting/early voting/vote by mail (however it is phrased). How, pray tell, can approximately 150 million voters vote in person on Election Day?
Norlaine Sproul
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Joan MacEachen MD, East side
Medicare Advantage (MA) programs are set to rapidly bankrupt senior’s healthcare. During open enrollment, we are seeing many advertisements for MA programs. Each senior must evaluate the choice for Traditional Medicare (TM) or a MA program. Under TM, the federal government pays directly for health care. Beneficiaries pay monthly premiums and may need to meet a deductible, but they have access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals across the country. Under MA the federal government pays a commercial insurance company to “manage a patient”. The MA companies entice healthy seniors with lower premiums, limited out-of pocket costs, and services such as vision and dental. But as commercial entities, MA are profit motivated and often make money by restricting care through referral requirements and limited networks.
As a Family Medicine doctor with years of experience in caring for Arizonans, I have seen the adverse consequences to seniors who have had to change doctors or been denied care due to the requirements of MA.
Joan MacEachen MD
East side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- James Morrison, Foothills
President Biden knew at the time he issued the Executive Order forgiving student loan debt that he was clearly exceeding his executive authority. And so did other Democrat leaders. This was a crass vote-buying move to garner the young adult vote, which apparently worked.
James Morrison
Foothills
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Return of faith in humanity
After months of vitriol as America, Arizona, and Pima County prepared for midterm elections, my faith in humanity was shaken. We heard clearly false statements and accusations. As the election was happening, I experienced a computer glitch and made an appointment with a computer repair company, “Geeks2You.” One of their young workers, a university student, showed up on time, immediately identified a simple mistake this old man had made, made a few clicks on the keyboard and things worked fine. I pulled out my credit card to make payment, and this pleasant young man said it only took him a couple minutes and that his conscience would not allow him to bill me. This pleasant young university student was kind to an old 83-year-old man and definitely restored my faith in the humanity that will replace people like me! May God bless our future and this young man!
Cliff Wagner
Foothills
Poor organization?
Greetings from London. As someone who has visited Arizona at least 25 times, I think I may be said to be someone with a deep and real affection for the state. So this comes from the heart: Why does ballot counting take so long? I do not imply conspiracy. I think, simply, that it is poor organization. Democracies in the rest of the world get this kind of thing wrapped up in 24 hours.
Terry Tastard
London UK
Early voting? Or not?
There was a time when voters voted in person at polling places. Nowadays, there are some people who object to measures such as absentee voting/early voting/vote by mail (however it is phrased). How, pray tell, can approximately 150 million voters vote in person on Election Day?
Norlaine Sproul
Oro Valley
More like Medicare Disadvantage
Medicare Advantage (MA) programs are set to rapidly bankrupt senior’s health care. During open enrollment, we are seeing many advertisements for MA programs. Each senior must evaluate the choice for Traditional Medicare (TM) or a MA program. Under TM, the federal government pays directly for health care. Beneficiaries pay monthly premiums and may need to meet a deductible, but they have access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals across the country. Under MA, the federal government pays a commercial insurance company to “manage a patient.” The MA companies entice healthy seniors with lower premiums, limited out-of-pocket costs, and services such as vision and dental. But as commercial entities, MA are profit-motivated and often make money by restricting care through referral requirements and limited networks.
As a Family Medicine doctor with years of experience in caring for Arizonans, I have seen the adverse consequences to seniors who have had to change doctors or been denied care due to the requirements of MA.
Joan MacEachen MD
East side
Student loan forgiveness plan
I think President Joe Biden knew at the time he issued the executive order forgiving student loan debt that he was clearly exceeding his executive authority. And so did other Democrat leaders. This was a crass, vote-buying move to garner the young adult vote, which apparently worked.
James Morrison
Foothills
2022 election
The much vaunted “red wave,” aka “red swell,” turned out not to be so swell after all.
Larry Gray
SaddleBrooke
- Karen McKee, West side
AHHHH - a reprieve from political campaign advertising - YAY !!! At least for a little while (which will be all too short, no doubt).
AND - ATTENTION PAC'S (both parties):
Next campaign cycle PLEASE do NOT INSULT American public with the kinds of TV ads run during the 2022 mid-terms! We do NOT want to hear the misleading statements about candidates or candidates' words taken out of context or the nasty accusations we have been exposed to the last several election cycles. We DO want to hear (and read) directly from the candidates themselves ONLY - where he/she stands on the ISSUES, ONLY.
AND - how about savings a few trees ! Send out only ONE piece of mail per candidate, instead of 25 per candidate.
Let's show some consideration for our environment.
Karen McKee
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Mark Elson, West side
I must say that former president Donald Trump continues to impress me with his scathing wit, high moral character, and superior intelligence. His labeling of new archenemy Ronald DeSantis as “Ronald DeSanctimonious” is an act of pure genius.
I have two simple questions for the former president, which, if answered correctly, will secure my vote for him in the 2024 election. My questions are: 1) can you please define sanctimonious; and 2) Spell it.
I have no fear that come November 2024 I will be forced to vote for Mr. Trump, none at all.
Mark Elson
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Election deniers get denied
Dear Editor: Without celebrating before crossing the goal line, it looks like election deniers Finchem, Masters, and Lake were all denied office by the voters (I expect Lake to deny the 2022 election). All were endorsed by Trump.
There is a message there: Independent voters are fed up with Trump and his traveling circus. The Republicans, if they nominate Trump in 2024, are looking at a sound beating, up and down the ticket. Political pundits talk about “coat tails,” that is, a strong presidential candidate can help office seekers down the ticket. Trump seems to have “reverse coat tails.” Bring him on.
Very Truly Yours,
Richard Sipan
Green Valley
Sanctimonious
I must say that former president Donald Trump continues to impress me with his scathing wit, high moral character, and superior intelligence. His labeling of new archenemy Ron DeSantis as “Ron DeSanctimonious” is an act of pure genius.
I have two simple questions for the former president, which, if answered correctly, will secure my vote for him in the 2024 election. My questions are: 1. can you please define sanctimonious; and 2. Spell it.
I have no fear that come November 2024 I will be forced to vote for Mr. Trump, none at all.
Mark Elson
West side
At last
Post-election Arizona GOP to Trump: “You’re fired!”
Robert Robak
East side
Political campaign advertising
Ahhhh — a reprieve from political campaign advertising — Yay! At least for a little while (which will be all too short, no doubt).
And — attention PAC’s (both parties):
Next campaign cycle please do not insult the American public with the kinds of TV ads run during the 2022 mid-terms! We do not want to hear the misleading statements about candidates or candidates’ words taken out of context or the nasty accusations we have been exposed to the last several election cycles. We do want to hear (and read) directly from the candidates themselves only — where he/she stands on the issues only.
And — how about saving a few trees! Send out only one piece of mail per candidate, instead of 25 per candidate.
Let’s show some consideration for our environment.
Karen McKee
West side
No guarantees in elections
Soon to be former Republican candidate for Arizona governor, Kari Lake, in front of TV cameras, reporters, and the people of Arizona, said that she “guaranteed” she would win the election and be elected to office. This was the day following the election while there remained hundreds of thousands of votes to be counted and a very close race. As a former local elected official, I know that it is impossible to know the outcome of an election in advance, let alone “guarantee” victory. So do we all. Unless the system really is rigged. For you! You could never have taken the oath of office that demands allegiance to the United States, the State of Arizoa and its citizens and to uphold the law. You were never qualified for the job, Kari. You keep showing us.
Paul Simon
Northwest side
- George Monroe, Midtown
Ukraine is costing many billions of dollars and additional billions of Euros from Western Europe and other countries. Why are the Western Europeans willing to suffer cold homes and reduced industrial production by cutting back on Russian energy? Why are they too stripping their military supplies? Why are we doing the same?
Autocratic governments in the world are becoming more popular than Democracies.
Then why did Ukrainians cheer when the Ukrainian soldiers retook their villages? Those Ukrainians had just voted to live under an autocratic government.
Let us give 100s of billions now to Ukrainians fighting to take back their country.
If the threat to use nuclear weapons results in Russia winning control of valuable resources in a neighboring country then other Autocrats will want to build nuclear weapons too.
Ukrainians must get their country back. We must help to send that message to the World.
George Monroe
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Joe Sanchez, Marana
Dem Blue stables garnered a few wins and Rep Red stables won a few. Each day the odds kept changing. They were all over the board. Neck to neck races. Some won by a length and some by a nose. They crossed the finish line and checked the results. Win- you govern; Place- you go to the gym; Show- you go home. Very dignified response from one jockey. If you don't know, BS stands for Best Salutations!
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Kari Lake’s comment
Kari Lake said, “Arizonans know BS when they see it.” She’s correct with that statement and we voted it out.
Jose Salgado
Northeast side
Arizona Derby
Dem Blue stables garnered a few wins and Rep Red stables won a few. Each day the odds kept changing. They were all over the board. Neck to neck races. Some won by a length and some by a nose. They crossed the finish line and checked the results. Win-you govern; Place-you go to the gym; Show-you go home. Very dignified response from one jockey. If you don’t know, BS stands for Best Salutations!
Joe Sanchez
Marana
Election results
For all you liberals out there (and I know there’s many because I do read the editorials). Why can Florida, with a greater population than Arizona, have election results in less than 24 hours and Arizona takes days and days? Either our secretary of state is incompetent or devious. If she’s incompetent, I can’t see why you would want her as governor of our state. If she’s devious, I can see exactly why you want her as governor.
Scott Langpap
Sierra Vista
Disgraceful Arizona congressman
Arizona Rep. Biggs is a disgrace not only to the Grand Canyon State, but to all decent Americans. I submit for your review, the following; his recent remarks on the attempted murder of Mr. Pelosi, his response to the insurrection, and his loyalty to a disgraced criminal president. Of course, this is simply my opinion. Peace out.
Jon Cooper
Northwest side
Support Ukraine
Ukraine is costing many billions of dollars and additional billions of Euros from Western Europe and other countries. Why are the Western Europeans willing to suffer cold homes and reduced industrial production by cutting back on Russian energy? Why are they, too, stripping their military supplies? Why are we doing the same? Autocratic governments in the world are becoming more popular than democracies.
Then why did Ukrainians cheer when the Ukrainian soldiers retook their villages? Those Ukrainians had just voted to live under an autocratic government.
Let us give 100s of billions now to Ukrainians fighting to take back their country.
If the threat to use nuclear weapons results in Russia winning control of valuable resources in a neighboring country, then other autocrats will want to build nuclear weapons, too.
Ukrainians must get their country back. We must help to send that message to the world.
George Monroe
Midtown
Citizens for Sanity ads in the AZ Daily Star
Last Sunday morning I picked up the AZ Daily Star and in the front section was an ad by a group calling itself Citizens for Sanity. This group, a dark-money PAC, spread misinformation and lies about candidates throughout the midterm election campaigns throughout the country, using anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric. How much money has the Star made publishing ads that spread lies and racist ideology? Hateful and racist speech lead to hate crimes. I am disappointed in the Star and seriously considering canceling my subscription. Stop the hate ads now!
Sarah Roberts
West side
Another day the music died
We bemoan that today’s music is not as good as when we grew up. I think I know why. When we grew up, musicians could “be discovered,” get record contracts, sell millions of records, and make a lot of money. When Fleetwood Mac released “Albatross” in 1968 and it hit #1 in Europe, I bet they rushed to the studio and started composing. Great musicians working feverishly to compose awesome music that we loved. That mold has been broken. Now bar bands struggle to even cover the cost of performing. We’ve killed music.
Thad Appelman
Northwest side
Women’s basketball fans deserve better
Re: Nov. 20 article “Hansen’s Sunday Notebook: Barnes: ‘It needs to be equal.’ “
I share Coach Barnes’s frustration with the lack of television opportunities for the University of Arizona women’s basketball team, per Greg Hansen’s Sunday Notebook. The UA plays twice in the University of San Diego Thanksgiving Classic this coming weekend, and it appears neither game will be televised or streamed.
I’ve gotten used to searching for women’s away games on obscure sports channels, or streaming games on glitchy connections, but to not have any viewing options this weekend is unconscionable. I expect the Pac-12 to rectify this when they renegotiate their media contract. How do they ever expect to grow the sport if they don’t get eyeballs on the games?
Laura Penny
Foothills
Time to focus on what unites us: Education
Now that we’re past the election, it’s time we focus on what unites us: Education.
A recent poll by Education Forward Arizona, a nonpartisan nonprofit, found that the vast majority of Arizonans want more funding for schools and to increase teacher pay. Meanwhile, we need to hear from our governor and state legislators about how they will invest in and improve our children’s education.
In Tucson Unified School District, we need to pay our teachers and staff a livable wage and give them the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. We must provide teachers with meaningful professional development. Teachers want to make a difference and if we show them respect they will want to stay in the classroom.
Our community is clear about what we want our state to do: put a qualified teacher in every classroom, give teachers a raise, invest in our schools and give students more opportunities for career and technical education. It’s high time our elected officials make this happen.
Jennifer Eckstrom, recently elected to the TUSD governing board
Southwest side
Advice for Kari Lake
Stop it! You lost because enough Arizonans saw through the smoke and insanity of you and your election issues to deem you unfit for office. Enough already! Arizona denied the deniers and is ready to move on to real issues that affect our state and country. I know you know the election was fair, so stop whining like you have just lost the high school prom queen race. We have real issues facing us and hopefully with people like yourself gone we can try to find some common ground and some solutions.
Steve Gorenstein
Northeast side
- steve gorenstein, Northeast side
Stop it! - You lost because enough arizonans saw thru the smoke and insanity of you and your election issues to deem you unfit for office. Enough already! Arizona denied the deniers and is ready to move on to real issues that affect our state and country. I know you know the election was fair so stop whining like you have just lost the highschool prom queen race . We have real issues facing us and hopefully with people like yourself gone we can try to find some common ground and some solutions.
steve gorenstein
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
- Loyal M Johnson Jr, Oro Valley
The $10,000 student loan payments, now on hold, were going to be paid by check directly to the students who contracted for the loads. Are you kidding me! Will the recipients pay on their loans with that cash or will they use it for vacations as some recipients have already planned. This Administration is absolutely incompetent regarding this issue. Why would the payments not be sent to the loan holders? This action confirms the suspicion that the payments were in lieu of votes. Shamefully illustrative of the rot and someone should pay
Loyal M Johnson Jr
Oro Valley
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
Tucson's newest Shake Shack gets neighbors
