Letters to the editor

July 22, 2008 10:50 pm

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It's time to consider term limits again

To the editor:

I have just finished re-reading the Declaration of Independence. It was promulgated over 230 years ago and today published in full by a local paper. A great read on July 4! It was put into being by a brave few, part-time politicians, who left their homes, traveled in rudimentary fashion to Philadelphia one hot summer to do the work of their constituents.

How wonderfully brave, indeed, to risk all for their dream. As that august document says, "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Were we only to have one politician of that ilk today — just one. Not sure I can name any!

Has anyone else had quite enough? The Declaration says in part; "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Do you feel that your elected officials are acting within the powers you gave, or meant to give, to them? Have they shown to have your best interests at heart? The Massachusetts Legislature has certainly overridden the expressed will of the people several times — with the blessing and at the urging of the governor!

Does the popular vote (read that to mean the will of the people) on reducing the state income tax back to 5 percent or allowing a ballot vote on the question of marriage sound familiar? The Constitution seems clear, the people seemed to speak clearly; it was the politicians who seemed confused.

I believe the Constitution envisioned elected officials would go to the center of government, do their bidding and return to their jobs. They would be followed by "others" elected to do the same.

The key word here is "others"! Incumbents seem never to lose an election — why? Follow the money! They each have their interests, trade votes to secure it (pork comes to mind) and send us the bill. Lately those bills are being put onto the backs of our grandchildren by way of tax increases and huge borrowing. Not the way you or I run our household budget, nor can we for long!

Good sense was shown when Congress put term limits on the offices of the president. Marty Meehan ran, and was elected to Congress on the platform of term limits. Good on him! It was a good idea until it affected his future and then it became a bad idea.

It is still a good idea! Read the papers, follow the news, talk to people, make up your own mind; do not just go with the flow! Think about how government might really serve us if the laws they passed were what the people wanted or needed.

Let some sunshine into that chamber; see how laws are actually handled. No wonder that politicians are held in low esteem. With some changes, they might even be able to get a state budget out on time!

Elected, re-elected, longtime entrenched officials will not help you on limiting terms — it's not in their best interest (ask Marty). This would have to be a popular ground swell.

I truly believe that a rational term-limit program at the state and federal level would be a start to improve our opinion of our elected employees. It certainly needs improvement! Something to think about as we look forward to an important election!

CALVIN G. PERRY

Andover

Vote in November to change marijuana law

To the editor:

In Lawrence, Officer Tim Dube arrested five young men, not because they possessed marijuana, but because they exercised their Constitutional right not to consent to turn it over to him. While under the current statutory law, Officer Dube had the power to arrest them for three marijuana cigarettes does not make it just, nor a reasonable use of police resources.

This Nov. 4, voters can end such injustice by voting yes on Question 2, the initiative petition for "An Act Establishing a Sensible State Marihuana Policy."

Had the law proposed by Question 2 been the law on Wednesday night, Officer Dube would have the power to search for the marijuana and seize the three cigarettes. He would not have the power to arrest, only the power to issue citations, for a civil offense with a civil penalty of $100. The $100 for each citation would go to the city or town where the offense occurred, in this case Lawrence, and Officer Dube would stay out on patrol, instead of at the station writing his report.

STEVEN S. EPSTEIN

Georgetown

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Shea-Porter works to improve education

To the editor:

I just retired from a wonderful 22-year career teaching first grade. It has been a joy and a pleasure to have the opportunity to enrich the lives of so many young people. While I may have retired from my teaching position, I am not done advocating for young people. That is why I will be voting for Carol Shea-Porter for Congress this November. Carol sits on the Education and Labor Committee,

and the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. As a former social worker, she is a strong advocate for children and teachers.

Like me, Carol believes that a quality education is an investment in the future of our children and their families. That is why she supported the Improving Head Start Act, which provided 10,000 more at-risk children with access to Head Start services.

In addition, Carol introduced a bill to protect the Upward Bound program, which helps low-income, first-generation and minority high-school students. She and I both understand the difference this can make in the lives of children and their families.

Carol recognizes the heavy burden that the No Child Left Behind Act has placed on school administrators, teachers and children. She is working hard with other members of the Education and Labor Committee to make major changes to this misguided, unfunded mandate that has raised havoc in our schools.

Finally, Carol supported the College Cost Reduction Act, which included her own amendment to increase Pell grants by $860 million to make a college education more affordable — without any additional cost to taxpayers.

I want to thank Carol Shea-Porter for watching out for the interests of our children and, in so doing, the well-being of our society. She and I both understand that helping those most in need will later benefit not only these children, but the nation as a whole, as these young people become productive adults.

GERALDINE F. VAGOS

Derry, N.H.