Letters to the Editor - March 8, 2013

Mr. Brewer,

If 89% of Americans don't approve of congress, how do politicians stay 'entrenched'? Special interests! And since every member of congress has something to lose, they would never pass such legislation, or give up their positions of power and influence to do so.

If the influence of special interests could be curtailed and campaign 'bribes' outlawed, congress might be forced to represent the voters of their district or state.

The choice has always been there -- honesty and integrity, or money -- our politicians have always chosen the money. That alone say volumes about the character of those we send to D.C.

I was pleased to see Mr. Terry quote the Militia Act of 1792, for it makes an essential point: "All" able-bodied males between 18-45 (life expectancy was considerably lower then) "have the legal requirement" to bear arms. The ownership of firearms, and indeed, the creation of the Second Amendment, was entirely bound up with one's civic and legal obligation to serve in a militia.

One hears it said all the time that the Constitution ought to be a "living, breathing" document. Unfortunately, some people seem to think that the Second Amendment ought to hold its breath until the end of time.

Don,

I'd read an interesting article in the Oregonian about a tax that had the overwhelming support of the voters.

Now that the voters got what they'd voted for, people are objecting to actually having to pay the new tax. One in particular stated in the article "I voted for it, but I'd thought I would be granted an 'exemption' from paying it."

Another wrote "I'd like to be allowed to die in my own home, and not taxed out of it and forced die on the streets."