No shootouts
In reading the Oct. 25 article on concealed weapons on college campuses, it was humorous to read the same scare tactics and hypothetical scenarios that we heard when Michigan legalized concealed weapons in 2001.
Last I checked I haven't seen any "Wild West shootouts" by licensed carriers. Hmmm.
Matt Therrien
Lake Ann
Adding to the fight
Our educational system in Michigan is fighting for its life from kindergarten through college. Now along come two of our state legislators introducing and sponsoring bills that will prevent our public colleges from banning concealed weapons on campus.
On how many more fronts do our administrators and educators need to fight? How many more ways do our students need to be stressed?
There is no confusion here. This idea is unnecessary, it is stupid, it is dangerous. There is absolutely no reason why anyone needs to carry a concealed weapon onto a college campus.
Donna Kelly
Traverse City
A true moral dilemma
As an independent voter-thinker, I just wanted to thank all of the latter-day Pharises for pointing out all the moral flaws in Obama Care.
"Flaws" that include abortion funding, coverage for illegals, death squads for Granny, etc. However, rather than hiding behind the moral smokescreen, wouldn't it be more honest to just say, "I don't want to pay for it. I already pay too much for mine."
Problem is, you probably don't pay for yours. Your employer does. Actually, your employer's customers do, many of whom don't have health care themselves. So what we have here is those without health care subsidizing those who have it.
Faith requires more than lip service. There was once a time when religion taught us to care for one another: "Whatsoever you do for these, the least of my children, you do for me." But then again, that was before money became God.
Now there's a true moral dilemma for you. Good luck with that one.
David McGee
Grawn
Poor kids
Molly Rogers' Oct. 27 letter and Obama say Social Security and Medicare are working fine and should be expanded to cover more people and more services. Terrible idea.
When started, the idea behind Social Security was that a small amount would be taken from each worker's paycheck and put in a trust fund. Then, when the worker retired, the same dollars would be paid out to that same worker. But as the trust fund grew, the liberal politicians (Republicans and Democrats) couldn't keep their greedy hands off of the trust funds. They are using the trust funds to buy votes, primarily by lowering "contributions" and increasing benefits.
Worse, in a giant Ponzi scheme (which makes Madoff look like small potatoes), the liberals are now using current "contributions" to pay current distributions and are rapidly running out of money, just like Madoff did. Very shortly, both Social Security and Medicare will be broke. But the system will still owe trillions to present contributors. Then either the programs will have to be drastically cut or "contributions" will have to be drastically increased.
Liberals will do neither so costs will be passed onto our children. Poor kids.
Bob F. Smith
Frankfort
Out of touch
Sunday's article on efforts to allow firearms on campus made me think: Here's how you combat universities' liberal teachings -- have its students packing heat. But why stop there? Imagine the potential for other locations in need of such a bill -- nursing homes, county commission meetings, the Cherry Festival, campaign and sporting events.
Even churches. What better way to ensure your fellow parishioners don't stiff the collection plate than to flash your piece during mass?
Seriously, with all the problems facing the region -- unemployment, foreclosures, school funding, crumbling roads -- is this all they can come up with? Do they need to throw the National Rifle Association a bone to boost campaign contributions? Would Michelle McManus and Wayne Schmidt feel the same way if their children were living in dorms away from home?
Sadly, this is just another example of out-of-touch local politicians relying on their names and connections in order to keep feeding at the public trough. Instead of meaningful legislation, they focus on proposals that normal people would agree make no sense.
Hopefully, when elections roll around, the voters can return Sen. McManus and Rep. Schmidt to the private sector. I'm sure they can get a job selling suits.
Craig Rosenberg
Traverse City
More like Scripps
In the term limit-caused wreckage of the state Legislature, one bright spot can be found -- Rep. Dan Scripps, D-Leland. Since taking office, Scripps has worked to protect the Great Lakes and improve school funding equity. His efforts may deserve some of the credit for Gov. Granholm's recent decision to reduce the school funding gap. During the ongoing budget crisis, Scripps fought successfully, on behalf of his fellow sportsmen, to save wetland protections. Additionally, he and like-minded legislators were able to reduce the size of cuts to education.
Scripps keeps in touch with his constituents. During the height of the budget crisis, he sent nearly daily updates to those on his e-mail list. And he makes himself available each month to gather input from citizens in all four counties he serves.
So while Senate Majority Leader Bishop plays his silly and dangerous games, House Speaker Dillon demonstrates that he has no idea what it means to be a leader, and Sen. McManus shows more interest in toeing the insane party line than meeting the needs of her constituents, we can count on Dan Scripps to do what's best for the people of Michigan.
We need more politicians just like him.
Fred A. Cepela
Traverse City
Starts in the heart
I had to agree; an old-timer and I were discussing family matters then the bombing of the Middle East and Baghdad came up. He said, "What can we expect when our own families can't get along?"
How true. It really starts in the heart. It's time to take the log out of our own personal eye before we can help our brother or sister. It all starts with self then onward toward family, town, state, country, world.
Steve Rozanski
Traverse City
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