Tucson Speaks Out: July 20 letters of the day

Re: the July 13 article “Feds cheer slowing migration rates.”

To the Editor:

In this article, there are also reports of migrants being deported in spite of expressing fear of persecution if denied asylum. In response to those allegations of improper exclusion from U.S. entry, Border Patrol’s Tucson sector Deputy Chief Justin De La Torre said “migrants have the option to file a complaint through CBP’s website regarding allegations of wrongdoing.”

Really? Does the Border Patrol give information about filing a complaint to migrants to whom they apprehend and/or deny entry? Do all or most migrants have internet access? How is the investigation accomplished on the complaints of these nomads, especially if they’ve been returned to a country where they rightly fear for their safety? If a complaint is properly evaluated how long does it take? What does the Border Patrol do to correct a grievous error if the complaint is justified?

Sincerely,

J Kristin

Olson-Garewal MD

Downtown

Who should step down

Why isn’t anybody asking the 34-count felonious, lying, racist, dictator-worshipping, failed at every business he started, leaving hundreds of creditors out of work and bankrupt because he didn’t pay them candidate to step down?

Terry Louck

East side

Political rhetoric

I believe that political rhetoric led to the assassination attempt on Trump.

The attack occurred in a climate of extreme political polarization in the United States.

President Biden’s language portraying Trump as a threat to democracy, has been a key part of Biden’s campaign messaging.

Biden reportedly told donors that Trump has to be put “in the bull’s-eye”.

Democrats have been consistently describing Trump as an “authoritarian fascist”, often in this newspaper.

Comparing Trump to Hitler and calling him a war criminal is dangerous.

Violent rhetoric is multifaceted and can significantly impact political behavior and societal stability.

Individuals with aggressive tendencies are more likely to endorse political violence when exposed to such rhetoric.

The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump has reignited discussions about the role of political rhetoric in inspiring violence.

This recent assassination attempt on Trump underscores the urgent need for political leaders on both sides, to condemn violence and work towards de-escalating political rhetoric to prevent further violence.

Tom McGorray

Northwest side

Not voting for Trump

Vote for Trump? Better not. Because fanatics and ignorance is what he is busy doing and it needs feeding. Already books are banned and soon newspapers. He wants to turn religions against each other to foist his own idea of religion upon the minds of man. And soon with banners flying we will be moving back to the time when man was burned who dared to bring enlightenment and intelligence to the human mind.

John Rothstein

Green Valley

Neither Trump or Biden control inflation

Up to the 2008 Great Recession, the Federal Reserve Banks balance sheet showed about $1 trillion in assets while the U.S. GDP was about $15 trillion, a ratio of about 6.6% of assets. Double entry bookkeeping for a bank means its assets must be offset by liabilities. The Fed’s liabilities are extra money in the US economy.

The Great Recession and its long term effects, plus the Federal Reserve’s mandate to have maximum employment and stable prices, forced the Fed to raise the Fed balance sheet to about $4 trillion. This was okay as the U.S. GDP kept expanding, which lowered the ratio of extra money in the economy.

With the 2020 pandemic the Fed raised the extra money to $9 trillion or over 35% of the GDP in April 2022, causing massive asset price increases in housing and stocks. Since then the Fed has tightened the money supply to near $7 trillion, causing a money squeeze for consumers, especially for housing.

Economists know “You can’t fight the Fed”.

Matt Somers

Midtown

What are we willing to promote or sacrifice?

With all the hot air coming from the RNC convention, no wonder we’re behind as to climate mitigation! False equivalencies abound, including much violent rhetoric. Democrats and others call for moderation after a shooting. Meanwhile, chants of “fight, fight” came straight from their horse’s mouth.

Remember, the former president wanted ‘Black Lives Matter’ protesters shot in the legs by police. That same man allowed Turkey’s thugs to attack Americans on United States soil. Remember, this person has no respect for anything except ruthlessness.

The Inflation Reduction Act has begun addressing our carbon rich lifestyle. Volunteers are also working on permitting laws to promote climate worthy projects, creating charging stations for electric cars, and adjusting imports for carbon emissions at the source.

Meanwhile, Big Oil is told to give Republicans $1B and we’ll “Drill, baby, Drill.”

Unfortunately that also means “Burn, baby, Burn.” Chaos or continuity, you decide.

Gaye Adams

Midtown

Riding with Biden

Trump, who was loved by many before he decided to run for President.

The Democrats, Corporate Media (my paper included) and Elites have demonized this man to the point where opinion writers are allowed to violate the Opinion pages guidelines.

I would name names, but you know who you are.

Hitler, rapist, felon, and many more despicable names, ad infinitum.

Projection on those who just disagree with your policies and Elitist ideas that trash everyday people who wish no more than to pursue and protect “Our Democracy”. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, who possess no ill will for you personally.

The boot of government and elitists and the holier than thou has oppressed everyday people who are on the verge of revolt.

Oppression is not a happy place, but it is happening to those in the Middle and everyday people who love family, faith and work.

Two failed impeachments, political prosecutions, unconstitutional appointments, raids, failed Afghan, Putin invasion, fuel cost, food cost, a few of Dem accomplishments.

Ridin with Biden!

Richard Barnes

East side

Trump v. Biden agendas

Biden agenda

Restoring women’s reproductive freedoms

Securing American’s voting rights

Extending Social Security and Medicare

Making the wealthy and corporations pay their fair taxes

Protecting against climate change damage

Raising the federal minimum wage

Strengthening the right to unionize

Restricting assault weapons

Expanding child tax credits

Increasing affordable housing

Securing the border while protecting Dreamers

Trump agenda

Restricting abortion and birth control

Restricting voting rights

Slashing Medicare spending

Reducing taxes on corporations and the wealthy

Loosening environmental and health protections

Blocking renewable energy projects

Restricting legal immigration

Targeting LGBTQ citizens

Politicizing civil service workforce

Politicizing the Justice Department and FBI

Pardoning January 6 rioters

Choose wisely in November.

Gail Kamaras

East side

An energy ‘what-if’ question

The federal government is using executive orders, federal mandates, and taxpayer financed incentives for manufacture and purchase of electric autos and utility solar/wind power. There does not appear to be a well thought out plan to implement the federal government’s goals.

What if instead, the government incentivized oil and gas producers and auto manufactures to create, design, and build more efficient vehicles with significantly less or no CO2 emissions? For instance, fuel cells, alternative hybrid, and battery improvements. What if the government incentivized utilities and oil and gas producers to develop inventive and more efficient power production and distribution systems. Like nuclear, hydrogen, solar, wind, and hydro power systems.

Oil and gas companies, utilities, and auto manufacturers could be rewarded for meeting goals negotiated with the government and rewarded with technology patents, drilling rights, utility infrastructure bonuses, increased auto sales, etc. The government would become the Project Manager and Planner for this revolutionary change and quit spending taxpayer money to pick winners and losers. What if?

Cal Rooker

Northwest side

Numbers don’t lie, but Trump does

A number of diverse editorials have been written lately about the differences in Biden and Trump. Below are a few stark differences by the numbers.

Executive Orders: Biden has issued 139 (the fewest in 30 years) vs Trump at 220.

New Jobs: Biden 14+ million jobs vs Trump at 5.2 million.

Green Energy: Biden $303B invested in 2023 alone vs Trump issuing 74 actions to weaken environmental protections.

Health Care: Under Biden, a record 21.3 million people are insured via the Affordable Care Act vs Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Act.

Government Shutdowns: Biden 0 vs Trump 1. The 35-day shutdown cost $11B, with $3B unrecoverable.

Attacks on Federal Government: Biden 0 vs Trump 1. On Jan. 6, 2021, five people died and hundreds were injured. Damages totaled $2.7M and 1424 people have been charged with a crime.

Bankruptcies: Biden 0 vs Trump’s six involving billions of dollars.

Just a few numbers to consider this election year — along with Trump’s four indictments.

Carla OHara

Northwest side

The Republican circus: Lies and more lies

The plethora of bald faced lies coming out of the Republican three ring convention circus confirms the best definition of demagoguery: people telling things they know to be lies to people they know to be idiots.

William Muto

SaddleBrooke

Abbreviated explanation

Interested readers and voters can go to Wikipedia for an abbreviated explanation of Project 2025 and Agenda 47. It could help those who are undecided voters.

Sheila Lepley

Northwest side

Conover for County Attorney

The series of full back-page advertisements for Mike Jette, Charles Borla’s report on the two candidates for Pima County Attorney (July 7, 2024), and the Op-Ed “Mike Jette, Democrat … in my own words” (July 8, 2024), all published on The Arizona Daily Star, convinced me to vote for Laura Conover in this Democratic Primary. She is by no means ideal, but unlike her predecessor LaWall, Conover has a better grasp of justice and mercy — one without the other is tyranny — and is open for improvement from lessons learned. Not voting for Jette is fundamental. His career path appears to be a chain of stepping stones, never one of duration, and his party affiliations a matter of convenience. Now a Democratic candidate in a predominantly Democratic county, he is heavily funded by Republican donors. Based on the sources cited above, Jette appears to be a candidate of expedience not principle. Beware: He who pays the piper calls the tune — after the election, that is!

Ke Chiang Hsieh

Midtown