Our argument — why illegal aliens don’t deserve citizenship but we do — is that at least we never crossed the border in violation of the law. Of course, having been handed our own citizenship on a silver platter means we never needed to.
The assumption is that, if we found ourselves in the same situation as an impoverished Mexican, we would never break the law. But it’s best not to think too much about that.
It is typical of U.S. history that persons of every ethnic group — Germans, Poles, Italians, Jews, etc. — plead to be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. but, once they are admitted, they immediately do an about-face and argue against any other group being allowed in — since those people would now be competitors for the jobs they now hold. RON RODENBURG, CENTERVILLE
No mercy should be shown for Castro
Re “What do you think of Castro plea deal?,” July 30: This thing about Ariel Castro is no doubt one of the most hideous crimes a sane person can commit; Castro had to be in his right mind to continue this for nearly 10 years. He knew exactly what he was doing.
This was torture to these young women — with no mercy on his part — so why should mercy have been considered for him? The death penalty should have been a must since one of his crimes was murder. We are going to have to pay for his keep for the rest of his life. That is also unfair. Even these ladies will be paying for his keep through taxes.
There should never have been any bargaining at all for Castro; these ladies were denied their bargaining so why do they figure Castro should have any?
He is guilty as charged and must pay. He's guilty and we know that, so what's the deal? Hang him. HARRY G. FRITTS, BEAVERCREEK
Speak Up
Re "Ohio could save on Medicaid," Aug. 14: The study says Ohio can add 275,000 poor Ohioans to Medicaid and even save money if Ohio holds cost increases to 4 percent. Why aren't we already holding yearly cost increases to 4 percent? By assuming the present Medicaid program's cost continues to grow at 7.2 percent a year, they can say there's a savings. What? We add 275,000 people, conjure up a nearly 45 percent drop in yearly cost increases from la-la land, and health care won't suffer?
Want to avoid a speeding ticket? How much time do you save by exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph? If you drive 50 miles at a constant speed of 80 mph in a 70 mph zone, you arrive about four minutes sooner. How important is saving four minutes to your safety and the safety of other drivers? Also, there is a cost for getting there four minutes sooner — in terms of decreased fuel efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph, you pay an additional $0.25 per gallon for gas.
Re "Should there be special elections?," Aug. 13: For the most part, they should be banned. Taxpayer monies are abused and misused in too many areas — from Washington on down to the states, from the president on down to the local level. Most middle-class Americans have been forced to tighten our belts and expect the same of federal, state and local governments.
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