Arpaio-recall supporters need to take a hint

To those behind the failed recall effort against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio: Get a life.

The people have spoken again. You are poor losers, and I believe you are hard of hearing, too.

— Sharon Namie,

Poor leaders just a blip

Nearly all of us who call Arizona our home, natives or transplants, are proud to live, work and play here. We all want basically the same things, i.e., better schools for our kids, improved government for everyone and an economic system that gives all of us a fair chance at being monetarily successful.

As we embark on our second 100 years of statehood, it seems incongruous that a wonderful state with terrific people could continually elect such political misfits as Sam Steiger, Evan Mecham, Fife Symington, Rick Renzi and, yes, Joe Arpaio.

The good news is that our state will outlive and prosper in spite of the politicians and political “leaders” who have been in office. Their achievements or lack of the same will be but a blip on the radar screen in the history of our state.

When Arpaio’s tenure is finished as Maricopa County sheriff, let’s put his time in office in the proper perspective. He’s a bad actor, acting out a bad play on the stage of a great state. Let’s vow to elect a sheriff (Democrat or Republican) who wants to enforce rather than flout the1aw; one who will be interested in serving the people as opposed to his or her inflated ego.

Looking back in time, we might even slightly chuckle at the antics of these political thespians!

— Richard K. Meszar,

Wolf expansion bad idea

Regarding “Still on brink” May 26):

The article never touched on the efforts of conservation groups across Arizona that contribute annually to try to maintain healthy deer, elk and antelope herds. Mule deer numbers have plummeted over the past 20 years, antelope have almost disappeared, and only elk have remained stable.

Without the past 80 years of conservation groups and hunters contributing millions of dollars, there would be no buffet table for the Mexican gray wolf.

There should be no more expansion of the wolf population — unless the public wants to see only wolves.

— John Koleszar,

The ongoing showdown between Gov. Jan Brewer and Republicans in our state Legislature over Medicaid expansion has been cause for great consternation. I rarely agree with the governor, but on this issue I believe she is making the right decision.

What troubles meis the vitriol, threats and downright lack of respect shown by her opponents. I believe their opposition stems from a single motive that has nothing to do with the governor.

I truly believe their greatest fear is that the Affordable Care Act will be successful, and it will register as a “win” for President Barack Obama, who is the true target in their war on the uninsured in Arizona.

— Betsy Wraight,

the

Legislators resist Obama

Our system needs work

The Yanira Maldonado case is, indeed, unfortunate, accompanied with a lot of pain and anxiety that afflicted the family. However, the same thing also happens in Arizona on a more painful scale.

On two separate occasions, two Latino men — with documentation — from our small congregation were returning from Mexico. As they crossed the border, a “hold” was put on them.

They were detained and incarcerated to ascertain if they were here legally.

Each man spent two months, not nine days, in jail before it was determined he was here legally. And I’m sure that it happens many more times. Think of the pain and anxiety for the families, loss of income and a business, and the poverty these families had to endure.

Yet we never hear about such cases in this country because we pretend to be so much better than those other countries.

Why does it take only 15 minutes to decide if a person is able to purchase a gun, and yet it takes two months to decide if a person is here legally? Is the jail system such a big industry that we have to make it grow, to make jobs, to make it sound as if we are really doing our duty?

Thank God that Yanira had to spend only nine days in a Mexican jail and she is free. Let’s also free in nine days, or rather 15 minutes, all who are here legally.

Gale Schmidt, Phoenix

Regarding “Valley mother freed from Mexican jail, heads home” Friday):

Hello and welcome home, Yanira Maldonado.

Goodbye to my vacations south of the border.

— Jack Samuels,

Adios, Mexico vacations