Letters to the editor - Friday Dec. 8

The president’s decision to eliminate 88 percent of the Bears Ears National Monument acreage is a theft from all of the American people. Federal lands and their significant remains of ancient peoples belong to all Americans and especially the members of the sovereign American Indian tribes, whose ancestors have occupied those lands for millennia.For too long, people have stolen from these prehistoric homes, burials and sacred sites. They have either held the artifacts as private possessions in their homes or sold them on the black market, collecting millions of dollars. Having worked with American Indian communities and tribes in Arizona for most of my career, I know how personally devastating the theft of their heritage is. The National Monument designation provides greater protections for the heritage that belongs to all Americans. “So sad” that our president incorrectly believes these resources belong only to the local residents.

Bruce Hilpert

North side

Re: the Nov. 29 article “Lawmaker seeks to remove licensing provision for hairstylists who don’t cut or use chemicals.”

As a licensed cosmetologist I disagree that nonlicensed persons should be benefiting from styling hair. I have held a cosmetologist license since 1978, paying for the education and license renewal every year. I also incur the expense of renting a space in a licensed salon where as others currently work unprofessionally out of their house for free. Please don’t degrade our education.

Kathleen Brauchla

Pearce

Re: the Nov. 29 letter to the editor “Trump has been good for America.”

The letter attacks liberals for the use of ad hominem attacks on the president. Funny, since Donald Trump is the acknowledged world leader in that behavior. His tweets stand unchallenged in their venom of personal attacks. In addition, he apparently thinks “we” is a four-letter word and avoids its use. Since he talks so frequently about himself, ad hominem in return is invited and inevitable.

Beth Isabelle

Northeast side

If it is not already evident to you, it is time to realize that the Republican politicians you voted for do not care a bit about you. Their votes for the current tax plan prove that the only thing that matters to them is that their big donors remain happy. There is a name for this situation where the wealthy control the government: it is called a plutocracy.

In order to return our country to a democracy, we all need to push for campaign finance reform — including overturning Citizens United. Let our elected officials spend their time legislating instead of raising money. As it stands now, our politicians are bought and paid for. Let’s return our country to government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Kathleen Dubbs

West side

Re: the Nov. 28 letter to the editor “Water is part of any ‘smart city’”

The letter writer alerted me to an article about Bill Gates’ plans for a new community in Arizona. She mentioned the article made no reference to how he’d obtain, maintain and conserve its water supply.

It is well known that “water flows uphill to money,” so I doubt Gates will have a problem. There’s no apparent shortage of water in the Valley of the Sun — a land of lawns and lakes — although it is less lavishly distributed outside the Salt River Project bounds.

My concern is that Gates not have a goal of re-creating Scottsdale or Paradise Valley (or worse, Seattle?) in its water technology. I hope he will look at, and model, places that have a clue that conservation creates a sustainable community and region, in the desert.

Mark Day

East side

I must be the only person in Arizona besides our Arizona senators who support making our business environment more competitive with foreign corporations. All eight letters to the editor on Tuesday were against the bill. In my opinion the tax bill was less about lowering individual rates, and more about creating an expanding business environment.

The thrust of the letters seem to be we should not be giving to the rich and taking from the poor when close to 50 percent pay no taxes at all, and the upper 20 percent pay the lion’s tax share. Some of the 20 percent must be rich? I just don’t think making arguments against the rich is right when they pay most of the taxes!

Dave Locey

Foothills

I was saddened to see the special section in the Sunday Star entitled “The Helping Hand That Pays You Back.” The issue of tax credits in Arizona is fraught with legislative malfeasance. All of these schools and helping organizations are seeking our donations because our Legislature does not have the will to budget the funds necessary to maintain the funding to provide and care for our most disadvantaged citizens. Eliminate tax credits and do your duty, legislators.

Jerry Holmes

Midtown

I am gun owner. I am also amazed by the proposed federal law that would force states to allow reciprocity for concealed- carry permits. This is a complete reversal by politicians that have railed about federal mandates on many other issues, i.e., let the states decide. The proposed law would usurp existing state and city laws enacted by their populaces. The irony does not escape me, nor should it escape any responsible gun owner. The gun lobby appears to be immune from those arguments against federal vs. local controls.

Jeff Rayner

SaddleBrooke