Readers
Keep hands off voter-protected funds
I am an independent voter, independent business owner and the author of the research-based “Life Learning Techniques.”
Legislators are trying to find ways to take money from voter-protected funds such as Proposition 203, First Things First.
These funds are designed to improve early childhood education in Arizona.
I speak for myself and have witnessed the assessing and planning of this initiative.
Funds are about to be used to impact Arizona in many concrete ways. Here is a short list:
• A significant number of jobs will be kept in our communities.
• A significant number of jobs will be created in our communities.
• For every $1 spent on the education of a young child, the return on our investment is $7.16. For the factual evidence, see the Perry study at www.evidencebasedprograms.org/Default.aspx?tabid=32.
This kind of investment earns economic benefits, resulting from higher earnings and reduced incidences of special education services, welfare assistance and crime.
• We improve our educational system and increase the number of Arizonans who are self-sustaining and productive.
• Voters’ rights need to be protected. Our elected officials serve the will of the people of Arizona. We have already voted on this issue.
• It is the ethically correct decision (this is another topic).
Let us preserve the right of Arizona voters. Education is the answer.
Enrique “Hank” Feldman
Don’t balance state’s books on backs of kids
When all the numbers are crunched at the Legislature, what remains are the faceless thousands of Arizonans left without hope of vital services they depend on for survival.
We all agree the state budget deficits for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 seem insurmountable.
But we should not balance our books on the backs of our most vulnerable – children, the disabled and the elderly.
The cuts in the Department of Economic Security will have devastating and tragic impacts on families and communities across our state.
Many who rely on essential services will be at higher risk of sickness, hunger, neglect and homelessness.
Is that how we want to meet our balance sheet? Is that how our state expects to meet the bottom line, by turning a blind eye to the needy?
AARP implores our legislators and new governor to look hard for another way to meet budget demands while protecting our vulnerable citizens.
If you could look each affected person in the eye, we know you would do the right thing.
Lupe Solis
advocacy director
AARP Arizona
Cuts in education funds shame Arizona
Educators, parents, students and new economic leaders of Arizona call on our legislators and governor to “rise to the occasion.”
They have been blessed with the opportunity to provide inspirational leadership.
President Obama has shown us all the power of hope. Follow his lead and the courageous bi-partisan example of California.
Arizona has the measurable demonstrated capacity to provide world-class K-16 education.
Arizona ranks 22 of 51 (including D.C) in median household income. But in education expenditures per student, our state has fallen from 19th to 51st since 1960.
This gap between capacity and commitment has brought shame to our once proud state.
By viewing education expenditures as a “transfer of wealth” rather than “a compounding investment in human potential,” Arizona is in real danger of becoming a Third World economy within the U.S.
Abandon this self- defeating perspective and embrace the “value-added” challenge of building a greater future for all – especially our children.
J. Ronald Hennings
superintendent
Canon School District 50
Black Canyon City
Sheriff Arpaio should be applauded, not ridiculed
Re: the Feb. 18 column by Ruben Navarrette Jr. (“Arizona’s circus act”):
What Navarrette calls a “circus” the rest of us consider a great job by a man who knows and upholds the law.
The fact that Sheriff Joe Arpaio knows where and how to locate illegal immigrants is not something to ridicule.
He should be applauded for sending the message that he will uphold the law and protect the legal, taxpaying citizens.
Navarrette implies that Arpaio needs “probable cause” to catch these law breakers.
The act of sneaking illegally into our country is the probable cause. The way that these people are smuggled into our country is probable cause.
The bleeding-heart liberals seem to think these law-breakers have civil rights here. The only civil rights they have is in their own country.
Although Roger Barnett should be held accountable for impersonating a law officer, he has every right to protect himself and his property from these law-breakers who continually damage his livelihood.
For a court to award money to people who broke the law sends the wrong message to all.
Do we have to stand by helplessly and watch these criminals abuse our civil rights?
I hope Barnett appeals and wins, but I hope he follows the law when he protects his land and himself .
I hope Arpaio’s “circus tent” expands and he continues to do what he is paid to do: Uphold the law and protect the citizens.
Nate Baker