Letters to the editor Feb. 2

Put our resources toward homeless vets

Is this really America? In a recent study, it was determined that 25 percent of the homeless people in America are veterans of the United States military. There has been quite a bit of controversy with people and the government because of all the services provided to illegal aliens and the lack of services for the homeless.

According to the LA Times, "A new initiative by federal authorities to temporarily house illegal immigrants in converted hotels and nursing homes is the latest effort by the Obama administration to overhaul how the U.S. treats people being detained for entering the country illegally."

Protesters ask why these converted hotels and nursing homes can't be used to help homeless people. Critics of current U.S. immigration policy note that the immigration detention system is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. criminal justice system. If this is true, then maybe a pathway to citizenship is not an answer to the immigration problem. Our economy is in no shape to give jobs to people who are not citizens of our country and do not pay taxes.

All of this may sound harsh, but there is a legal way to gain citizenship in this country. It may not be as easy as getting a job and getting paid under the table, but it is the law. If the study that was done is true, and 25 percent of homeless people are veterans, then they should be the responsibility of the federal government.

D.R. Jackson

Carson City

Penalizing state workers hurts all of us

Carol Sweeney's letter did a good job of explaining the impact of the governor's plans to help the state economy by reducing state worker pay and benefits. I want to add to her statement by describing the positive effect that would result from restoring the cut pay and benefits.

The positive aspects omitted in her letter include the domino effect of money spent by state workers. When employees have enough income to be able to pay their bills, buy a car and have some extra for a few meals out, it allows restaurant owners to hire employees who then have money to pay their bills, pay for services and purchase merchandise. The owners of the businesses providing services and stores selling the merchandise can then afford to hire employees who can then pay their bills and purchase merchandise and other services. It creates a wonderful circle of mutual support.

As Carol stated, state workers and retirees are consumers and taxpayers, too. Penalizing them hurts the whole economy and causes additional unemployment - not just of state workers, but retail and service people, too.

C. Joyce Peirce

Carson City