Tucson Speaks Out: October 20

Independents, flex your voting muscle

If you are opposed to the Trump Administration's agenda (supported 100% by Rep. Juan Ciscomani), then vote for Democrat JoAnna Mendoza. CD-6 favors Republicans (registered voters: Rep 190,711; Dem 159,568). However, there are 178,264 Independents.

In Arizona, Republicans have held control of both Legislative Houses for over 30 years ... this past session by a slim majority. This election offers a very real opportunity for Democrats to take control.

If you are opposed to the Republican-controlled state Legislature's agenda (voucher program, continued non-support of public schools, community colleges/universities, continued attacks on abortion rights, etc.), then support Democrats in LD-17 and LD-23. In LD-17 (Marana, Oro Valley, Tanque Verde, Vail) Republicans hold the Senate seat and one of two House seats. Current Registration: Rep 69,612; Dem 51,951; Ind 61,2.31. In LD-23 (West Tucson to Yuma), Republicans hold one House seat. Voter Registration: Rep 32,702; Dem 42,128; Ind 52,606.

We left-leaning Independents can make the difference.

Randy Garmon

North side

The flawed logic of Bloomberg News

The argument offered by Bloomberg News in the Oct. 8 editorial about the “flawed logic of Medicare for All” was, ironically, flawed in and of itself. The article’s point rests on their assertion that “it would shift trillions of dollars in healthcare spending onto the federal budget while potentially slashing quality and restricting access to care”.

Point No. 1: Yes, cost would be shifted onto the federal budget. Have these people never heard of fair taxation?

Point No. 2: There would be a “potential” that quality would be “slashed” and access to care would be “restricted.” Judging from the experience of nearly every other developed country in the world, that so-called argument is a complete reach, at best. The greater “potential” would be that a move to Medicare for All would actually solve the current situation we’re in; a situation in which healthcare is being run by greedy, unnecessary corporate speculators more intent on lining their own pockets than actually caring for the health of all Americans.

Wayne Wheeler

Downtown

State ballot propositions

I received my ballot by mail and immediately viewed important state propositions so I could study, if needed, and make informed decisions soon. There are eight: three state constitutional amendments proposed by the state legislature (the most difficult to undo if unintended consequences emerge) and five propositions referred by the state legislature. No propositions are referred to the people by public petition. The legislature worked hard to prevent any from being on the ballot.

These are not bipartisan proposals. They are on the ballot because the Republican-controlled legislature was unable to get them signed by the governor, or understood that the governor would not support them, going directly to the people for affirmation. Several are the latest salvo in culture war issues, and none improve the lot of Arizona's citizens. My voting approach will be: if the proposal states "proposed or referred by the legislature", I will vote no. Sad.

Bruce Hale

SaddleBrooke

Your vote represents our freedoms

My friends, let me take leave of protocol to share a part of Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech (adapted by me) to explain the value of your vote.

“Twelve score and ten years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great political struggle to test whether this nation or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated can long endure."

We remember as we vote those who sacrificed their lives that our nation might live, ensuring our natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As you cast your ballots this November, remember you are participating in a process that was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men and all women are created equal, regardless of our many differences. Your vote is an act of agency expressing our freedoms. Voting is our solemn duty to save America for future generations.

Richard Harper

Northeast side

Vote

I can’t believe the coverage that one rape at an elite university is getting over no coverage of 156 people (120 children, 35 adults) killed by the U.S. at a school in Minab, Iran, in February.

Can believe that two men are suggesting that marriage is a way to make housing affordable, so is quitting smoking.

The U.S. government can’t afford to clean up Tucson’s PFAS, but it can afford a golden DC makeover?

I feel like I had online banking, Netflix and Facebook before data centers. So far, data centers’ best use seems to be drone warfare and hacking.

Wishing that pundits would quit conflating political and economic systems.

That idea of getting rid of all the cars on Fourth Avenue and making it Tucson’s arts and foodie district is a moneymaker.

$40 trillion national debt! Where’s the Tea Party now?

Vote.

Cynthia Duncan

Midtown

Matlock for mine inspector

In addition to ensuring the structural integrity of active mines and proper safety for equipment for mine workers, Brian Matlock is fully committed to protecting the public from the dangers posed by over 90,000 unsecured abandoned mines throughout Arizona. Their hidden mine shaft openings and lethal concentrations of toxic gases have led to dozens of preventable deaths and severe injuries.

To prevent further tragedies, Matlock plans to enlist the help of citizens and volunteer groups to aid him in the daunting task of locating thousands of abandoned mines so they can finally be properly secured.

A mechanical engineer with decades of experience and an inventor with patents in mining safety, Matlock is uniquely well qualified to serve as Arizona’s next mine inspector. He deserves our vote.

Jacolyn Marshall

Oro Valley

Opposing the Arizona death penalty

Many thanks to Rick Unklesbay for his enlightening opinion piece opposing the death penalty in Arizona. As he stated, whether someone is prosecuted with the death penalty in mind has far more to do with race, socioeconomic status, and the quality of the defense counsel than it does to the cruelty of the committed murder. While I oppose the death penalty on moral grounds, the new documentary film “The Window on Death” offered two other reasons to eliminate it. First, due to the lengthy required appeal process, it actually costs more to prosecute a capital crime than it does to sentence someone to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Second, the extended process makes it more difficult for the loved ones of the victim to reach any sense of closure.

Elizabeth Jaeger

Midtown

Prop. 144 voter ID requirement

Prop. 144, if passed, would require every voter, including those voting by mail, to show government-issued ID.

One argument for Prop. 144 (Arizona 2026 General Election Publicity Pamphlet) goes like this: A person needs an official ID to rent roller skates, board an airplane, get a library card, enter certain public buildings, etc. Voting is more important. Therefore, an official ID should be required to vote.

Yes, voting is more important. Voting is a constitutional right. No one has a constitutional right to rent roller skates or get a library card. The analogy fails.

Robert Yanal

Foothills