Letters to the editor for Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015

Rubio is strongest Republican candidate

Republicans should be asking, “Who is the best qualified, most conservative presidential candidate who can win the general election against Hillary Clinton?” The answer should be clear — Sen. Marco Rubio.

Rubio’s conservative brand puts him close to the GOP center ideologically, and his favorable ratings with Republicans are consistently strong. He’s an effective debater; he has a compelling personal story and a great command on the issues — particularly on national security and foreign policy. Rubio serves on both the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees and is the Republican presidential candidate most knowledgeable and best equipped to lead on the increasing international threat of ISIS and on the new realities of domestic terrorism.

Rubio scares Democrats in the general election by striking a favorable contrast against Hillary Clinton. Former Clinton adviser and current political pundit James “The Snake” Carville has opined that Rubio “is the only hope they have.” Republicans should pay attention.

For a running-mate, Rubio might well select Carly Fiorina — “whip smart,” fluent on the issues, including those of defense and national security having done advisory work with the CIA, Pentagon and the National Security Agency. A “conservative outsider” with an impressive private sector career, Fiorina would also be an aggressively articulate candidate against Hillary Clinton.

Jim Hartman

Genoa

Refugees should stay closer to homeland, not come to U.S.

Some people love to use the poem, “A New Collossus,” by Emma Lazarus on the Statue of Liberty as a reason to let in Syrian refugees to our country.

Between 1886 and 1924, 14 million immigrants came to the United States through New York to become legal residents. During those years, America was growing and needed workers. They also came here because they wanted to take advantage of the many opportunities they could not achieve in their former countries.

I saw a recent report in which a journalist queried Syrian refugees in Jordan, living in a refugee camp, as to what their wishes were. The majority said that they wanted to stay near their homeland so they could return once hostilities ended. King Abdullah II of Jordan has said his country has room for more refugees but needs funding to take care of them.

Wouldn’t it be far wiser to send him the millions of dollars that we will have to spend to take care of those same Syrian refugees when they are brought here? Also, wouldn’t it be far more humane to help them stay near the country they want to live in instead of bringing them here to live on welfare as unskilled workers living in poverty? Doesn’t that solution make more sense than creating a possible security risk to the American people? A risk that is all too real and not imaginary as some, including our president, would have us believe?

David Knighton

Carson City

Walters’ commentary not accurate

Kathy Walters’ commentary regarding Christmas trees is actually 180 degrees from the truth.

The millions of Christmas trees grown every year are a big plus for the environment. They would not be grown if they were not purchased as Christmas trees at that time. Therefore, the environment would be harmed.

Your entire logic is greatly flawed. So, people, keep buying those trees; it will continue to help the environment. Thank you.

John O. Rough

Carson City

Teaching English as a second language is rewarding

I teach English to a group of moms. I asked them to write about what success means to them. The following are two students’ responses. I included all mistakes because their words are from their hearts.

Maria wrote the first one.

“My Success For me to been Learned by myself things I Learn about myself things I never thought I Learn about myself and Learned to read and learned to write in order to teach them to my children that anything is possible when you want and also as a wife and mother do not think So I miss So bad because I have 18 years of marriage. I am proud of me.”

Alejandra wrote the next. I told her she is a poet.

“To me, success means to be happy, to have a good job, to have good family relationships, and to like yourself. To me, success means to be happy, and happiness is made for periods and moments because when you are a kid we go through phases. One phase when you grow up is getting married. Another one is when you get a job and have to take care of your family. Another one is the birth of your child, his first word, first steps, first day at school, first graduation, first meet and first birthday. Same with your first love, first job and family. Each moment counts. Enjoy it no matter is good or bad.”

It is a privilege to know my students, be part of their lives, and learn about their culture. To volunteer, call 775-671-7455, or stop by 1711 N. Roop St.

Cathleen Mital

ESL Program Director at United Latino Community

Raising minimum rage will hurt seniors

Regarding raising minimum wage to $13 an hour, have you considered you will put more seniors on welfare by this action?

We live on a fixed income earned by hard work and savings. We are 80 and 90 years young. We have been through raising the minimum wage before goods/food/necessities go up. It is a true 20 percent increase, and no increase for the senior fixed income folks. With little or no Social Security increase, we will be struggling to stay above poverty levels. We will need places to go for free food, clothes, goods, and amenities when the minimum wage is increased.

As proud parents, we do not rely on our children for any assistance. But it could happen. We are not a communist country, so let us live out our senior years with dignity.

We can’t stand a 20 percent increase in living. Besides the wage increase, those who get it will only hold them even because they too will be affected by all the 20 percent increases.

All businesses must go up or go under. All businesses will increase prices. In 1952, a McDonald’s hamburger was 50 cents or a special at 39 cents. Look at today!

A movie was 15 cents when I was a young lad. Now it’s more than $10.

My first job in 1940 was at $1 per hour. And I was happy to do it. Yes, I lived at home. But my dad worked 12 hours a day six days a week.

Why raise the entry level?

Chuck Harris

Carson City