Stop coddling illegal aliens, 2/5
Letters to the EditorPublished February 5, 2007
Migrants risk all for runaway daughter Feb. 2 Andrew Skerritt column
Your journalist, Mr. Skerritt, belongs on the opinion page where he can freely spout off his liberal ideas, rather than reporting on events in our community that should be fair and balanced.
In his most recent column concerning the 13-year old girl who ran away to Mexico with her 17 year old boyfriend, the title to the article suggests the parents are just poor migrants (which suggests they are here legally) worried about their daughter. It becomes apparent the parents and the daughter are illegal aliens (not undocumented migrants) from Mexico who are putting everything on the line by reporting their runaway daughter because now they possibly could be deported. Mr. Skerritt asks his readers to feel sorry for these people. Unbelievable!
The parents brought the child here nine years ago, and she had no choice. The parents, however, did have a choice and they chose to disrespect America's sovereignty and to break our laws by entering illegally. Surely, they knew if they were caught they would be returned home. Since arriving nine years ago they still need an interpreter because they speak little English. So much for assimilation.
They have enlisted the help of Dade City police in getting their daughter back. Of course this is at Americans' expense, because being illegal, it is doubtful the parents pay any kind of taxes except possibly into the Social Security fund.
Those who argue for amnesty for the illegals say that will bring them out into the open where they will file and pay taxes. Balderdash! They may then file tax returns, but at the wages they earn they will have no tax liability and they will be entitled to the earned income tax credit, a refundable credit that is federal welfare.
Further, their daughter has been educated at Americans' expense and I'm sure her health needs have also been at our expense. The St. Petersburg Times and most of our legislators refuse to have a serious debate about the effects illegal aliens are having on our infrastructure, not to mention our environment.
I feel bad for any parent whose child has run away and I do hope these parents get their daughter back. The best way for them to do that, however, is for them to go back home themselves. As long as poor Mexicans continue to illegally enter America, we are only helping Mexico with its social problems and they will have no incentive to make things right for their poor.
If we continue importing poverty, the entire country will evolve into a third world country. Is it any coincidence that the middle class in America is disappearing? Sharon Lam, Hudson
Mixed messages on conservation
What a joke. One day I read conserve water, use sprinklers once a week. The next day we see a new mall, condo or several thousand homes going up.
If we do not have enough water now, what will we do when all this building stops? I believe in conserving but not for some millionaire to line his pockets with more money. Bill Hayes, New Port Richey
New development aggravates traffic
Regarding Connerton billboards:
There are several punch lines that I can think of like, "I wish I had known it was going to take 30 minutes just to get into traffic on U.S. 41, and another 30 minutes just to move 5 miles down the road!"
The sad faces will be even sadder in five to 10 years or more when the residences foundations and walls begin to crack and the residents find out that their insurance will not cover it.
That's what the sad faces will be about! Kenny Blankenship, Land O' Lakes
Why must gas cost so much?
I have relatives in Tennessee and Michigan. The tell me their gas prices have been below $1.90 per gallon. The lowest price I've seen here is $2.03.
We are told our prices remain high because they don't have delivery of the cheaper gas yet. I feel this is a big rip-off of the customer. The gas station owners are keeping the prices high because of greed.
When prices go up, they don't wait for the more expensive delivery, they raise the prices as soon as it hits the news.
The sad part about this is the attorney general and politicians are letting them get away with this. Ruth Vinson, Holiday
Elections chief ready to serve
As the newly appointed supervisor of elections, I would like to pledge my commitment to the citizens of Pasco to serve them with integrity and professionalism.
I am honored by Gov. Crist's appointment and welcome this opportunity to serve the citizens of Pasco. My staff and I stand ready to assist the people of our county and I will personally commit to build upon the tremendous strides achieved during the tenure of Secretary of State Kurt Browning.
My primary goal is to work hard to earn your trust and confidence. I will be tenacious and enthusiastic in pursuing this endeavor.
Again, it is with real honor that I look forward to serving you as supervisor of elections.
Brian E. Corley supervisor of elections Dade City