YOUR VIEWS
Don’t harm senior citizens
Few would disagree that teachers need a raise. But there is another group that needs consideration. I am speaking of senior citizen property/home owners. Some who were lucky enough to have saved and own their homes are being considered fair game for tax increases in the form of property tax and sales tax. Many live on Social Security and fewer have other retirement income to supplement daily living. Average Social Security is about $1,200 to $1,400 per month. That is close to the poverty level. Some need medications whose prices have taken off like a rocket ship. This year’s average Social Security raise was about $6 per month. If they are lucky, seniors can have a fast-food burger once a month with that. I hope anything in the form of increased taxes that could fall on most senior citizens is not in the mix for teacher pay raises.
Don Patton, El Reno
Time to fight for our rights
I’m a conservative who believes in God and the flag. I believe in the First Amendment and the Second Amendment (to preserve the First Amendment). I served in the U.S. armed forces for 20-plus years, where I gave up many rights for this honor. I am now retired after working more than 50 years. My government is attempting to impact my Second Amendment rights with additional requirements for the purchase of firearms.
The same government that raided my Social
Security in the 1960s and
’70s to prolong a war so
I could get ribbons and medals. The same government that has health, retirement and expense accounts for themselves while a citizen struggles to make a decent living.
We have sat back and let our government take and take and take. We need to stand up and let our representatives as well as other countries know we will fight for our rights. I will use every legal action necessary to preserve my rights. If I want to own one or 100 firearms, it’s my business and no one else’s as long as I do not violate any current laws. The saying “give an inch, take a mile” needs to stop now.
Donald Burris, Newalla
The Founders’ intent
J.K. Craig (Your Views, March 14) quotes the Second Amendment verbatim. Craig states, “Nowhere does it state, suggest or imply that people have the right to take up arms against the government...”
I wish people who feel strongly about their views were as passionate about being fully informed before they opine on subject matter of such great import. I respectfully suggest Craig study the Federalist Papers to learn the intent of the Founders on this subject. In particular, Federalist 29 by Alexander Hamilton and No. 46 by James Madison, who authored the Second Amendment and should understand its intent and meaning.
The Founders wrote the Constitution in language and terms the common people could understand. They didn’t want us to have to consult lawyers for its interpretation. It is simple, but you have to study it. And the Federalist Papers were written specifically to supplement our understanding of the Constitution’s intent.
Perhaps the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, best summarized the intent of the Second Amendment with these immortal words: “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
Robert Stoner, Edmond
Doing the right thing
How did we ever manage to ban the sale and ownership of machine guns and bazookas? I’m pretty sure it could not happen today. Obviously, at one point we recognized that there were some weapons that are too dangerous for private ownership. I hope that soon we select leaders who will do the right thing again. Later this year we will hold elections. Everyone who can, needs to get registered and vote.
Ron Janzen, Enid