Editor:
Scott Tipton recently sent constituents mailers asking us to share what is important to us. I feel strongly about current issues, and my concerns match issues that seem to be important to Republicans.
Restore democracy: Return power to the citizens the people by eliminating the undue influence that money has in our elections. In former times it was understood that the unrestricted application of money to the electoral process was unhealthy for a true democracy, and they had a word for it: bribery. The concept of personhood for corporations and the huge amounts of cash released by Citizens United (an example of activist judiciary if there ever was one) will have a disastrous effect on our civil and social systems unless they are reversed.
Limit wasteful government spending: Put an immediate end to our overseas adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, where not even the most enthusiastic proponents can offer a clear goal or reason for our continued presence. In 2011 the U.S. military budget was 46 percent of all military spending worldwide more than twice the budget of China and Russia combined. How many teachers, policemen and firefighters could be hired if these funds were freed up?
Reduce government intrusion into our personal lives: Womens personal health care decisions are not the business of the government, and the recent spate of laws requiring intrusive and medically pointless procedures are an insult to women and to personal liberty, and are intended to impose the personal beliefs of certain legislators onto citizens who do not share those beliefs.
Create more jobs: Domestic employment can be increased, but this involves remaking policies that benefit corporate interests rather than the regular worker. First, eliminate government programs such as NAFTA that effectively send American jobs to other countries. Second, adjust tax incentives to reduce the number of jobs outsourced overseas. Third, stimulate the economy by investing in public sector jobs teachers, firefighters, police so that more money is available to be spent, and more goods can be manufactured and sold.
Elias Hesse
Mancos
Via email
