Companies selling your online info is legalized theft

Try as I might, I was not able to find any phone number to my congressman, Andy Biggs, that did not lead to a full mailbox and, therefore, I was not able to tell him that I opposed, in the strongest possible way Senate Joint Resolution 34, which will repeal the FCC privacy protections, and effectively strip them of future power to protect online privacy.

Suffice to say that my voice would probably have made little difference, as the measure passed on a mostly party line vote.

When I am paying a fee for service to an Internet service provider, I am contracting for that service; I am not licensing them to collect information about me and sell it to the highest bidder.

I have made this argument before with credit-card companies and insurance companies who sell private information unless you specifically opt out.

The law requires you to carry insurance if you drive. The law requires you to file taxes online (more so with each passing year). The law should protect you from companies selling personal information about you without your express consent. This is little more than legalized theft.

— Bruce Bay, Mesa

Democrats aren’t facing up to damage Barack Obama did

The Democrat Party’s drumbeat of denial continues with the appointment of a new congressional committee to investigate alleged meddling in the recent presidential election.

Now the culprits are Russian Internet trolls who spread fake news stories in key swing states leading to Hillary Clinton’s stunning defeat.

What the Democrats are unwilling and unable to admit is Barack Obama’s progressive march to the left, along with an inability to compromise his political agenda caused a huge swath of the American electorate to rise up and show his successor the door.

When the Democrat Party comes back to Earth with some common-sense solutions to problems with the economy, job growth and border security, maybe they will start winning some elections. I am not holding my breath.

— Len Gingerich, Phoenix

Stop wasting tax dollars entertaining anti-abortion bills

It’s Groundhog Day again. Every year Cathi Herrod sends a new anti-abortion bill to our state Legislature and it dutifully passes it. Every year, taxpayers like you and me have to pay for the legal costs to defend these abominations. Then the courts toss them out.

Wouldn’t it be nice if our tax dollars were used to help Arizonans instead of being wasted in this way? Wouldn’t it be nice if Republicans would stop taking money from Cathi so this sick joke ends?

As long as Cathi has money and Republicans can be bought she can do whatever she wants, and we have to keep playing her game.

— Lori Shue, Phoenix

When will Trump supporters admit that they screwed up?

After reading the series of The Arizona Republic articles this week regarding how Trump’s budget would negatively impact this state in the areas of housing, education, the environment, the economy, trade, parks, the arts and tourism (did I miss any?), all I’ve gotta say is: Way to go, Arizona Trumpsters.

Nothin’ like shootin’ yourself in the foot. — Kathleen James, Sedona