Tucson Speaks Out: Oct. 4

Getting fed up with the political bifurcation and dissatisfied with the far-right direction our country is leaning, we decided to look for other options for our retirement home. Canada seemed nice. But too cold and way too nice. Costa Rica has great weather, but our Spanish is limited to Si and Hola, and who needs neighbors like Panama and Nicaragua. The Scandinavian countries looked good, but too cold for our Tucson blood, and we can’t live without Mexican food. Ahh, Switzerland… cold but at least it has seasons, but then do we really want to live in a country that was neutral against Hitler. So, we’re staying in AZ and dedicating our time and extra money to fight against Keri Lake and Donald Trump and the other whack-jobs who deny the election and support fascism or in the least authoritarianism. We hope other like-minded people do the same.

Carl Foster

Green Valley

‘Great Again’ or free with hope

Tired of the “messiness” of living in a democracy? Want a nation “untainted” by people of different backgrounds? Found someone you can unquestioningly adore? Convinced that lying, cheating, fraud, and voter suppression are really OK; or that ignoring America’s responsibilities in the world, hiding from science, and eliminating public and open education are cool and more convenient?

Autocracies require only that one turn over their freedom to one individual. Democracies require a level playing field built from unbiased education; an empathetic awareness of the differences, rights, and needs of others...and courage, truthfulness, respect and honesty! Further, democracies require the solid support of a rule of law guaranteeing freedom of choice...for everyone! Sounds less convenient and more like work ... that’s what makes it “messy”!

We really don’t need to “make our country great again”...we need to keep building and living the wonderful and “messy” one we have! We may not all be “great”, but we will be us ... and we will be “free” ... with hope for the future!

Frank Parsons

Northeast side

Migrants not tested for COVID

A newly released DHS Office of Inspector General report showed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations did not test migrants, single adults, family units or children for COVID when releasing them from detention and transporting them on domestic commercial flights. This was throughout the pandemic that killed over one million Americans. I often take commercial flights and have witnessed groups of migrants wearing new clothing waiting to be boarded. Under the Biden administration, thousands of migrants have been transported on domestic commercial airlines to destinations around the country. All at taxpayer expense. Some of those migrants undoubtedly had COVID, perhaps different strains. How many unsuspecting passengers and travelers in the airports were needlessly exposed? I believe the Biden administration’s “catch and release” policy has jeopardized Americans’ health and safety. COVID cases are rising again. Are migrants coming here from around the globe being tested or vaccinated now for COVID before being released onto the streets or transferred across the country on commercial airlines? I doubt it.

Michael Wayne

Midtown

TUSD

As of July 2022 TUSD was cleared of the desegregation case that existed since the 1970’s. So this begs the question as to why TUSD desegregation still accounts for more than 10% of the the total property taxes of those that live the district — 1.564% of the total 13.5% tax rate. Why does this assessment still exist? This is a critical question in light the ballot measure for TUSD of $480 million. I, for one, am not willing to pay for both.

Brode Meyer

Midtown

Government shutdown avoided

Jim Jordan’s recent Freedom Caucus’ assignment, to investigate President Biden and fabricate evidence justifying an impeachment, was his reward for support of four-times criminally indicted Donald Trump. It failed. But it’s consistent with his own lawless behavior, ignoring a January 6 Committee subpoena to testify, and contrasts with that committee’s investigation, based on legitimate evidence, of Trump’s involvement in his attempted coup.

The distraction from the MAGA Republican attempted government shutdown he hoped to achieve failed. His embarrassing attempt to screw government and other workers (while he continues to be paid) failed.

He and partners, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor-Greene, and other caucus members will, of course, “own” the next potential shutdown and its consequences if Congressional Republicans fail to agree on support (funding) of Ukraine. Who knows, that could be Jordan enduring 15 House votes when he tries to replace Squeaker McCarthy?

Jack Graef

SaddleBrooke

Would you do this to save water?

As a new citizen of Tucson I am very much aware of the need to save water. My husband and I have decided to flush our toilets first thing in the morning, before we go to bed and after an obvious necessity. We will then scrub the toilets every second day. I don’t know how much water this will save, but what if a lot of people did this?

Jennifer Wyckoff

East side

Kirsten Engel, qualified alternative to Ciscomani

Now that a government shutdown has been avoided it is important to review the job performance of our representatives. Congressman Ciscomani (CD 6) reluctantly voted to keep the government open — infuriating many MAGAs in his district — but that does not mean he is a moderate. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he voted to pass numerous bills which adopted the MAGA agenda of eviscerating major parts of our social safety net. While asserting that he is “Pro Life” he has voted for steep cuts to Head Start and nutrition programs for mothers and young children. We should expect more of the same as he tries to hold off a primary challenge from MAGAs. Those who live in CD6 deserve better and better is available. Kirsten Engel is a highly qualified candidate running as a Democrat in CD6. Please consider voting for someone who will not doggedly pursue the MAGA agenda the way Ciscomani has, while pretending to be a moderate.

Bobbi Zimmer

Midtown

Police harassment

This summer I had the pleasure of going to San Diego for a week to escape the heat. I thoroughly enjoyed it. While I was in the Gas Lamp district, I saw many individuals walking the street suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, urinating in public, committing thefts, some acting out violently, threatening people, kicking objects and screaming profanities. I asked myself where are the treatment facilities and why aren’t these poor unfortunate people in programs that will help them? I also noticed there were no police, thus no one to harass and arrest them. I am hoping that Arizona will decriminalize drugs so that academics can stop blaming the police for criminalizing those with addictions. The police do not write the drug and other laws, it is their job to enforce them. Remove the police from the equation — change the laws put social workers on the street to address those problems. Instead of the police, academics should blame those who write the laws and underfund mental health care.

Richard Harper

Northeast side

Government shutdown

As an addendum to two recently published letters concerning the now passed government shutdown, I offer that for every three days of shutdown each congressman will be docked one months pay. Those cumulative funds will go to programs like SNAP, WIC, Head Start. Hit ‘em in their pocket book and they may think more clearly.

Mike Moore

Oro Valley