Letters

Government jobs aid economy

The president’s comments on June 8 were right on track. Yes, as a matter of fact, the private sector is doing fine, comparatively speaking. They would be doing even finer if there were more consumers with the financial resources to buy their goods and services.

Yes, Mitt Romney, we got the message from Wisconsin. But not the one you would like to expound. Gov. Scott Walker knew exactly what he was doing with his divide-and-conquer strategy of pitting teachers against other government workers.

Somehow people have bought into the lie that if you attach the word “government” in front of the word “workers,” then those jobs don’t represent real growth. Those individuals, of course, always take our precious tax resources and never put their wage earnings back into the economy.

Let’s get real. Money is still money, whether it’s spent by a government nonworker or a private-sector worker. And to you budget deficit hawks, as a matter of fact, the unemployment rate would be lower and there would be more money to balance the budget if more workers of all stripes had the jobs to pay those dreaded taxes you’re always worried about.

Lloyd Brown

Elk

Constitution perverted

In a May 30 letter, Lee Freese states that federal authorities are plenary, absent a specific constitutional prohibition. He continues that any view to the contrary is “backwards.”

These assertions are the antithesis of our Constitution. “The powers of the Federal government are enumerated: it can only operate in certain cases: it has legislative powers on defined and limited objectives, beyond which it cannot extend its jurisdiction,” James Madison, June 12, 1788. Yes, that James Madison, who is credited with authoring the Constitution. Also see Federalist 45, in which Madison identifies the Federal authorities as “few and defined.”

Alexander Hamilton, who authored Federalist 23, explained where the authority of the federal government must be concentrated, and later argued against the Bill of Rights on the premise that they were unnecessary, “For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?” Oh, and let us not forget that 10th Amendment thingy.

Freese fervently advocates for more unconstitutional federal spending on education; however, if the lack of knowledge displayed in his letter is a result of that system, I will not pay one additional dime, and I want my money back.

Gary Warren

Spokane

Support our Catholic sisters

Hurrah! Hurrah for Judy Butler! Hurrah for Judy’s June 9 op-ed, “Censuring nuns unwise.” This Catholic lady, lawyer and grandmother has said what needs to be said in support of our Catholic sisters, who have given so generously and unselfishly to our society throughout the world.

It’s time for us, Christians of all faiths, to step forward in support of our beloved Catholic sisters.

Pat Shine

Spokane

On-ramp is too short

Today, I used the westbound Interstate 90 on-ramp near Maple Street. It is under construction and is too short, especially in heavy traffic. It is very dicey trying to merge into traffic within such a short distance. Cars backed up because you have to wait for a long enough gap in traffic to safely get up to freeway speed.

Washington State Department of Transportation, I hope you are reading this before someone gets hurt or worse.

James Doro

Cheney