GOP and abortion
Re: “Is Roe vs. Wade ‘settled law’?” Jan. 20 Open Forum.
In questioning whether or not Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, is in fact “settled law,” letter-writer Kathy Cain makes it clear that the fight to restrict reproductive rights will go on. As a legal layperson, I can only surmise just how settled the law is. That’s more a question for legal scholars and, ultimately, judges.
However, if any “pro-life” person voted Republican in any recent presidential election, thinking this would advance their cause, then they are deluding themselves. The GOP has absolutely no intention of working toward that aim. It is nothing but empty rhetoric. The Republican establishment knows that it needs issues like abortion to fire up the masses and to get them to the polls. Gay marriage is the other great “social conservative” lightning rod – but when was the last time you heard of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to criminalize it being promoted in Congress? Abortion will never be banned because it would rob the GOP of one of its best recruiting tools.
Robert J. Kimber, Highlands Ranch
Arts in education
Re: “Art, music may have to quit schools,” Jan. 20 news story.
The article about Denver schools possibly cutting back on various electives, including music, is frightening, and there is something illogical about the proposal. In my experience, the students who are active in music are usually more academically gifted than others. Before making any rash decisions to bolster reading and math scores, the school adminstration should do a study to determine if this would really solve the problem. I think they would find that the study of music improves both reading and math skills. Pull the records of students who regularly take music courses and compare their math and reading grades with average grades of the overall student body. The music students will come out on the high side.
John White, Westminster
Minimum wage
Re: “Slaves to minimum wage should be grateful it’s there,” Jan. 18 Colorado Voices column.
Eric Schuck argues in scholarly language that common economic theory is wrong, and that there truly is a proper role for a minimum wage. If that is so, then what is the proper minimum wage to be set? Should it be $5.15 an hour or something else? If the free market is to be bypassed, and all it takes is to pass a law, why not set the minimum wage at $50 or $100 an hour and make everyone rich?
Jim Muhm, Englewood
Football coverage
I am a transplanted Pittsburgher who has lived in Southern California for 22 years, but I remain a diehard Steelers fan. Prior to each game, I peruse the online editions of the news from the opposing city to get a real flavor for how that city supports its team. Much of the reporting from these cities is extremely biased against and even maligning toward the Steelers and their fans. But reading The Post’s voluminous coverage of Sunday’s AFC Championship game has been a breath of fresh, if rarified, air. Yours has been a very balanced and even respectful treatment of both teams as well as their fans.
I commend and applaud you for upholding such a high standard of journalistic ethics.
Ken Maylone, Huntington Beach, Calif.
