Government behind Ireland’s miracle
Re: “Prosperity in Ireland,” June 2 letter to the editor.
Steve Baur’s letter erroneously claims that Ireland’s prosperity is due to a rejection of government programs. On a recent college alumni tour of Ireland, we learned first-hand that Ireland’s prosperity is due to government involvement – entering the EU, the Northern Ireland peace agreement and a nationalized system of health care, education, transportation, pensions and care for the elderly. The Irish told us they love to complain about their high taxes, but feel strongly that the money is being properly invested to continue Ireland’s prosperity.
American corporations have expanded to Ireland to take advantage of a steady supply of well-educated and healthy workers made possible by investments in their national infrastructure.
Adam Smith opposed government intervention into the free market system. However, in his book, “Wealth of Nations,” he also recommends strong government investment and support to prevent business monopolies and create a strong national infrastructure.
Dave Potak, Denver
English as America’s national language
Re: “English as national language becomes issue of wording,” May 21 news story.
The English Language Unity Act (HR 997) now pending in Congress is a common-sense measure which all Americans should support.
One of the greatest factors behind America’s rise to glory has been incorporated into our national motto – “E Pluribus Unum,” or “Out of many, one.” The United States has been the shining example of how people born here and from all corners of the globe can unite under a common language and common goals.
Somewhere in the foliage of almost every American’s family tree is at least one person who arrived on our shores speaking another language. Between those first pained steps and the high positions their descendants hold was a path paved with English, the language of opportunity.
Learning English provides the opportunities to share new cultures and customs, bringing fresh ideas and celebrations into the American mainstream. A firm grasp of English takes a newcomer and bestows upon him that much desired title “American” and that all-important hope of “the American dream.”
Donna Schrader, Denver
…
Re: “Regretting the loss of a native tongue,” June 2 Richard Cohen column.
I, too, am the product of a Yiddish-speaking family. I was born and raised in Denver, where there was a small Yiddish community. I didn’t speak English until I was 4 because my grandmother refused to learn English. As I approached school age, my family discovered that I wouldn’t be able to attend unless I spoke English.
That is the problem I have with Richard Cohen’s article. There may have been signs in the stores of the lower East Side written in Hebrew or Yiddish, but that was limited to that neighborhood. Ballots were not bilingual. Public information was not issued by the government in Yiddish. If one was to participate in the American life, one had to acquire English.
As Cohen points out in his article, the Asians are consuming everything in the library. Are those books written in Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese? Bet not. People who strive for education, knowledge and the American way of life do all they can to learn the language. That is the difference between the current immigrants and those from other countries and times.
Perhaps some effort should be expended to cause Mexico and other Latin countries to provide a better life for their citizens so they are not interested in running to America.
Doris A. Schwartzberg, Denver
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Re: “Former Mayor Peña,” June 4 letter to the editor.
Letter-writer D. Weinstein critiqued Federico Peña’s reported views on illegal immigration. Weinstein stated that his or her “family … .would never have sneaked into the USA.” Well, his or her European ancestors were forced to sail across an ocean to get here. Had they been able to ride a horse or simply walk into this country, you had better believe they would have, and en masse. Those who attempt to glorify and thus distinguish European immigration from that originating in Mexico or Latin America simply ignore geographic reality.
And, concerning Weinstein’s comment about the failure of today’s immigrants to embrace our English language, perhaps he or she should buy a time machine and travel to Little Italy or Chinatown at the turn of the century and ask for directions in English.
Bradley S. Freedberg, Denver
A Marine’s story
Re: “Semper finale?,” June 2 news story
I am very disappointed in The Denver Post and your front-page article Friday. The Post has just assisted others in destroying Lt. Col Jeffrey Chessani’s reputation, good name, career and right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
I am a Vietnam veteran with combat experience, and you have to be in that situation to understand how things happen – if they did indeed happen. I do not condone these actions if they did happen, but let’s wait until the investigation is completed.
If the person is later found innocent, do you really think it is possible to undo the damage done with the original story?
Bill Thompson, Cortez example of the use of money and power to help isolate relatively wealthy individuals from the problems of our community.
This is one of several factors described by Jared Diamond, in his book “Collapse,” as contributing to the eventual collapse of various societies. Increasing traffic and congestion in the metro area is degrading the quality of life for all of us.
So-called “Lexus lanes” may make life easier temporarily for the elite, but it is bringing our community closer to a dualistic society of haves and have-nots. We all need to look at our lifestyles to create the best outcome for us all.
Serena V. Skaates, Denver
Helicopter pollution
Re: “City’s approval up in the air,” May 25 news story.
Regarding the proposed helicopter pad at the convention center, what is up with Denver’s obsession with helicopters? My Platt Park neighborhood tolerates 30 trips a day by media helicopters monitoring I-25 traffic. TV helicopters tracked two cars on the toll road to see how times compared. Now Denver wants helicopters to land on top of the convention center. Do we need any more noise and air pollution?
Martha Daley, Denver
Toll lanes
Re: “$3.25 will get you 6.6 miles on
I-25,” June 2 news story.
The recent opening of HOV
lanes on I-25 to toll-paying vehicles
is an example of the use of money
and power to help isolate relatively
wealthy individuals from the
problems of our community.
This is one of several factors described
by Jared Diamond, in his
book “Collapse,” as contributing to
the eventual collapse of various societies.
Increasing traffic and congestion
in the metro area is degrading
the quality of life for all of us.
So-called “Lexus lanes” may
make life easier temporarily for
the elite, but it is bringing our community
closer to a dualistic society
of haves and have-nots. We all
need to look at our lifestyles to create
the best outcome for us all.
Serena V. Skaates, Denver
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