Tenther, No Birther
Dear UTW:
I take issue with Arnold Hamilton's characterization of uber-conservatives as "social conservatives, Tea Partiers, Birthers, Birchers, Tenth Amendment types, Christian Dominionists, xenophobes and assorted other wingnuts."
As a Libertarian, I agree with how the religious right has co-opted the Republican Party, but associating "Tenth Amendment Types," with Birthers is insulting.
This is comparing apples and oranges. What he calls "Tenthers" are people who extol the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution, which generally states the "powers not designated to the Federal Government belong to the states."
Oh, I see, he wants a pick-and-choose Constitution where he cherishes the parts he likes. He probably loves the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments, but holds the Second and Tenth in disdain.
I admit that many Conservatives hold high the Second and Tenth Amendment, and often disregard the ones pertaining to civil liberties.
Sorry, but that does not work. It's either all or nothing.
What really bothers me, though, is his comparison to the Birther movement -- a sheer embarrassment to Conservatism and Republicanism. They want to uphold the Constitution based upon a conspiracy-minded delusion. They indicate the classic case of Obama-derangement syndrome out of fear and hate -- refusing to believe they are wrong despite evidence to the contrary.
Simply put, Birthers base their beliefs on a paranoid lie, Tenthers base theirs on the Constitution.
So instead of focusing on the Tenth Amendment intellectually, he equates them with the religious zealots and Birthers.
I'm proud to be a Tenther and if he doesn't like that Amendment, tough. It exists and is very, very clear on the powers bestowed to the Sates and Federal Government. It has been ignored continuously over the last 70 to 80 years.
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The scary thing is if he wants all power to the Federal Government, he is the real fascist.
--Stephen Scott
Help for Those Who Serve
Dear UTW:
Veterans who are in need of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care and due process of disability claims, it is our Government's obligation to take responsibility and be sympathetic to those in need, The American people need to query their members of Congress and Senate. Why won't they help our veterans in need? We Vietnam veterans who are sick need the help of our Congress and Senate. Please do what is right.
WWII and Korean war veterans' life expectancy is longer than veterans of the Vietnam war. Why? Because of Agent Orange Dioxin exposure. We are not dying of old age, we are dying of diseases most men would not realize until a much older age. We could realize better quality of life and maybe longer life, if our legislators would make provision for us by simply passing House Bill HR-3612 and Senate Bill S.1629. Is life worth so little by continued delayed action on those Bills?
It is not only about the Vietnam war, likewise the Iraq war and Afghanistan war. It is about the brave souls who died for America. Also, those who came home, and those yet to come home. Some with loss of limb, diseases, post traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, facing the loss of a family, due to long term deployments of not just one, but as many as three or more.
It is not easy to start life over again after the toil of war. Family values need to be re-strengthened. Friendships need to be renewed. Jobs need to be recovered or sought for. Health issues will crop up and will need to be addressed for possible VA assistance. Will the VA and our Government be there for them? Veterans of today's wars need to learn from the Vietnam war era. Many of these veterans, in all likelihood will need help from the VA. You very well may need to do battle with the VA and our legislators as we Vietnam veterans are presently doing. Veterans are easily forgotten by our legislators, until we remind them of who we are and why we fought for America's freedom and why you may one day need help. You someday will likewise be asking the American people to step in and appeal to our Congress and Senate to help veterans. What legislative Bills will be introduced for the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans?
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--John J. Bury, US Navy, retired/Vietnam war veteran