Facts behind immigration reform
Re: “Comprehensive immigration reform needed,” Aug. 2 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Catherine O. Brown cites a study by the Center for American Progress asserting that the annual cost to “rid the country of illegal immigrants” would be $41.2 billion.
It is useful to understand that the Center for American Progress is a far-left think tank. One of the authors of the study, Rajeev Goyle, is an ACLU lawyer whose other works include a diatribe against the Patriot Act. The other author, David A. Jaeger, is an economics professor at the College of William and Mary whose papers reflect a generally liberal point of view.
The most serious flaw of their study, “Deporting the Undocumented” (aside from the politically correct title), is their assumption that only 10 or 20 percent of illegal immigrants would leave the United States voluntarily. For this to be true, it would be necessary to preserve the current “illegal-friendly” climate in which forged documents are easily obtained, law enforcement is prohibited for apprehending persons in the country illegally, no reasonable method exists for an employer to verify citizenship, and employers are not held accountable for hiring illegals.
In short, the study focuses on the most costly and least effective means of stopping illegal immigration.
Richard B. Gifford, Aurora
President’s endorsement of “intelligent design”
Re: “Bush: Teach both theories on life’s origins,” Aug. 2 news story.
President Bush last Monday endorsed teaching “intelligent design” along with evolution in science classes. This concept differs from “creationism” in that it allows that evolution may be part of a higher being’s plan to create the world and human beings. Those Christian fundamentalists who support this view, and probably would rather have creationism taught instead, would name that higher being as the Judeo-Christian God.
However, in a nation that values religious freedom, wouldn’t we also need to teach that the creator, author of the intelligent design, might also be Brahma from the Hindu creation story, or Olurun, the creator figure from the Yoruba people of West Africa, or Raven, the creator according to Inuit traditions? Wouldn’t we also need to name Allah and Buddha as possible intelligent designers?
Teaching intelligent design along with the more scientifically based theory of evolution could take up most of the school year just by providing the variety of higher beings who could be responsible for creation.
Ed Cable, Denver
…
The idea that science opposes Christianity (or religion of any sort) is contrived. Historically, religion begins where science leaves off. Whatever the personal beliefs of the sitting president or of the party in power, religion should not be taught as science nor science as religion. It is a disservice to our children, to their competitive ability in the world, and to our long tradition of the separation between church and state.
Rob Carrick, Ouray
Appointment of John Bolton as ambassador
Re: “Bush sidesteps Senate, names Bolton to U.N.,” Aug. 2 news story.
It was extremely disappointing to see President Bush use a recess appointment to force through John Bolton’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. This crucially important diplomatic position has never before been filled in such a manner. By circumventing the conventional procedure, the president has thumbed his nose at the U.S. Senate and its constitutional role in the appointment process. Moreover, he has weakened the U.S. negotiating position by depriving Bolton of much of the moral stature and legitimacy that would be conferred upon him by the normal confirmation process.
Nevertheless, the appointment is now water under the bridge. We can only wish Bolton well and hope that he will succeed in his very important mission of representing U.S. interests. In his confirmation hearings, Bolton promised to work for a stronger and more effective United Nations. We will insist that the president hold him to that promise. Reforming the U.N. and combatting global terrorism are only two of the enormous tasks that will require greater engagement than ever with the other member states of the United Nations.
James J. Amato, Woodland Park
The writer is membership co-chair of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
Financial aid laws
The College Access and Opportunity Act, which was amended by a congressional committee recently, scales back the Drug Provision of the Higher Education Act by only denying aid to students convicted of a drug offense while receiving aid. While students who were denied aid for a past offense will regain their financial aid, thousands of students will continue to be ineligible for aid and many will be forced to leave school.
The Higher Education Act was written to increase educational opportunities for students. Instead, the Drug Provision largely affects students who need financial aid the most. Full repeal of the Drug Provision will save taxpayers money in the long run by decreasing recidivism rates and increasing the number of successful young people who will become contributing members of society.
As a fellow Coloradan, I hope that Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, who proposed the amendments to the College Access and Opportunity Act, will correct her mistake when the full House votes on H.R. 609. Congress should be working to remove barriers to education instead of erecting them.
Kyle Wibby, Boulder
Bush’s vacation
I was disappointed to hear that President Bush has elected once again to go on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, for five weeks. Bush says he can conduct business as usual at Crawford. However, we are at war; American soldiers are dying every day. How many of us would go on vacation if our own family were in a crisis, with its very lives threatened?
Maryann Lowe, Wheat Ridge
Selective boycotting?
Re: “NRA launches corporate boycott,” Aug. 2 news story.
I had to chuckle when I saw the article about the National Rifle Association undertaking a boycott against ConocoPhillips because the company does not allow workers to keep firearms in the cars they park at work.
Each day as I pass the entrance to the Coors distribution center in Golden, I see a prominent sign on the gate announcing that firearms are not permitted on Coors property. I have to wonder whether the NRA would have the brass to publicly target Coors. Even if they did, would the NRA members follow along with that suggestion?
Paul Imse, Golden
Abstinence vs. “the full facts of life”
Re: “Teaching children about abstinence,” Aug. 3 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Melanie Seilbach argues that parents have two choices: to guide their children toward abstinence or to do nothing. Seilbach seems to forget the third option, the most intuitive and sensible: to point out the benefits of abstinence while equipping children with the decision-making capacities that growing toward adulthood requires.
No one is arguing that parents should let their children wantonly engage in sexual behavior, free of responsibilities and consequences. But not to teach the full facts of life – the effectiveness of birth control, the even greater effectiveness of abstinence, the continual dangers of disease, pregnancy and emotional trauma, and the ways to avoid these – is to be remiss as a parent.
To shriek “Don’t do this!” at our children, while naively allowing them to remain ignorant of the realities behind sex, is more harmful than to offer them loving guidance and the knowledge they need.
Jordan Ruud, Centennial
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