Tucson Speaks Out: July 1

Cruelty is the point

I read Karen Toledo’s open letter to Congressman Ciscomani in the June 28 Daily Star, and my heart just aches for her. She has done everything required to show her good intentions to become an American. She has followed all the rules. She is not a criminal or evil-doer — the so-called targets of ICE, according to Donald Trump. Yet, she may be deported. It simply is not fair. But, sadly, fairness is not the point of the Trump administration — cruelty is. Ciscomani is such a Trump shoe-licking toady that he does not care that he once supported the Dreamers. His values change position like a wind sock in the breeze. There is nothing I can do to help Karen Toledo, except vote for Ciscomani’s opponent, JoAnna Mendoza, and hope for better times. I hope members of Congressional District AZ-6 will join me in retiring Ciscomani and bring some measure of sanity and fairness back to Congress.

Karen Micallef

Oro Valley

Allow DREAMers their dream

What is the “American dream?"

To Karla Toledo and hundreds of thousands like her, it is a path to citizenship and an opportunity to breathe freely in the United States.

Her opinion in the June 28 Star expresses her dream and is a plaintive cry of help to her congressman, who, as she wrote, is like her.

As children, Juan Ciscomani and Karla came to the United States from Sonora, Mexico, with their parents. Both were educated in Tucson and are living their lives here.

Ciscomani is a U.S. citizen, fulfilling his American dream as an elected member of Congress.

Karla is still dreaming, waiting for the promise Ciscomani made in 2024 and repeated numerous times: “... to ensure that these young people can have a well-deserved shot at the American Dream!”

His obligation is to advocate for his constituents in the 6th Congressional District, including Karla Toledo.

Shraddha Hilda Oropeza

West side

Retain Alligator Alcatraz

It will not be cost-effective to close the $1.2 B Alligator Alcatraz. It is the costliest detention center in the history of the United States. It was acclaimed and visited by numerous high-ranking federal and Florida officials who all got great photo-ops! Although the Florida governor and the president feel that the facility no longer fits their public-relations purposes, we will desperately need this detention center once Congress or the Senate “flip” and a new president is “certified.” Investigations into ICE misdeeds, DOGE abuses, improper firings, insider trading, and blatant corruption will need a major “holding tank” while the charges are litigated. Top-ranking officials will also be facing charges for facilitating high crimes, but Alligator Alcatraz would be considered too demeaning for these individuals. The undeclared war, the failed tariffs, a second border wall, and unbridled spending on bizarre projects have contributed to a massive increase in the national debt. Saving Alligator Alcatraz will be cost-effective, and it will be ready to use.

Jay Gandolfi

Northeast side

'Zero Dark Country'

I’m watching "Zero Dark Thirty" about the attempted capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden — and yes, I know it’s a movie, but it’s about a government that made careful, thoughtful, heart-wrenching and career-killing decisions. It’s suspenseful even though I know the outcome — because the backstory of the intelligence and anguished decision-making is the story.

And today? How are those life-and-death decisions being made? What is our government’s analytical chain of command, anguished balance of options before taking lives and destroying the lives of the living?

The only chain now? It’s around America’s neck, pulled choking tight by one heartless, sociopathic charlatan masquerading as a human who doesn’t give a damn about what made America into the hope of America.

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley

Justice should not be partisan

Many of our current National problems are the result of a partisan Supreme Court, with justices appointed by party loyalty rather than ability. I would propose a Constitutional Amendment that requires that the Supreme Court consist of an equal number of justices from each political party, with at least one Independent representative. Term limits should also be imposed as times change more rapidly than do justices ... 15-year terms sound about right given the pace at which society evolves.

Richard Rose

East side

The Declaration of Independence

As we anticipate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I would like to urge all Americans to revisit the document and really read it. I especially would like the conservative justices of the Supreme Court to read it in its entirety. One specific passage that is noteworthy is this one — speaking of the tyrannical King of England: “He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither.” If we respect the document and the accusations made about King George, why are we then allowing the Supreme Court to rule otherwise, giving carte blanche to the bigots in this administration to deport people who are legally here but have different skin color?

Anne Catren

Foothills

Actions to complete

It is sadly ironic that Trump, who is firmly supported by Christian conservatives, considers the 10 Commandments as a bucket list.

Todd Ackerman

Foothills

Equality as truth

The DOI declares that all men are created equal.

But is equality “the law of nature or nature’s God” or the law of men? Those who wrote the DOI held that it was ’self-evident’ that this "right" belonged to men. After all, only men had power, and only a certain class of men could make law. Later, the Constitution did not include equality for those based on race, gender and class other than their own.

Could rights endowed by a creator be inviolable except when people are created equal?

Only people can produce people. Without two genders, there is no reproduction, and there are no people. The two people who produce another person must be equal in that neither has the power to do it alone.

Having declared equality as truth, it becomes an establishment of law. Once codified, it is only divisible through the power of law. Equality is the cornerstone of our nation's foundation. Happy birthday, America!

Jerry Moser

Oro Valley

ACC candidates

Rick Rappaport’s Op-ed on June 29 points to the reason Arizonans have not been able to capitalize on one of our state's greatest assets-the sun. It’s time for a sea change at the "Utilities-R Us" style decision-making at the current Arizona Corporation Commission.

We, the voters, need to grasp that opportunity in November by focusing on the bottom of the huge ballot — the ACC race. We have 2 great candidates running who are not beholden to the utility companies' wishes. Jonathon Hill and Clara Pratte. It’s time the commission focuses on ratepayers' wishes and optimizes Arizona’s fabulous power source, the sun.

Linda Karl

Northeast side

Social Security

The current estimate of household income necessary for a family of four to live on comfortably in Arizona is $138,000-$238,000.

I think that the Social Security system is criminally outdated. People who make less than a subsistence level where they live should not have to contribute any of their wages to the system. The contribution by workers who receive wages should be evaluated so that the assessment amount does not push them into poverty. The beginning salary subject to required contribution should be above the poverty level (by location), and the only cap should be retirement age. There is no “one size fits all.”

Let’s face it, most of the highest earners do not receive wages at all. They rely on interest, dividends and capital gains from their investments. If this income were subject to Social Security withholding, the system would be afloat until the end of time.

Cindy Soffrin

Northeast side