Letters: Immigration policies have consequences; Preserve American democracy at the ballot box
Immigration policies have consequences
Borrowing language from Hitler, Trump told rally-goers in New Hampshire that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.” He went on to say “they’re coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, all over the world. Nobody’s even looking at it.”
If reelected, Trump has promised to deport undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers, and to set up concentration camp-style deportation camps.
Before Trump cult members mindlessly agree with his radical position on immigration, they should investigate what happened in Florida, where Ron DeSantis tried to “out Trump” his mentor by passing some of the strictest anti-immigrant laws in the nation.
Employers in many industries have found filling job vacancies nearly impossible since the laws went into effect. Legal immigrants, frightened they’ll be hassled by law enforcement, have made a mass exodus from Florida, dramatically worsening the local labor shortage.
Such shortages already exist nationally. Right now, nearly two job openings exist in America for every job applicant. If immigrants are deported, who will fill those jobs that U.S. citizens don’t want — in the hospitality industry (such as hotel maids), agriculture, construction, nursing homes — and much more?
Let’s see how happy Trump’s supporters are when his policies make the cost of doing business in America skyrocket! As usual, Trump is great at dishing out hefty servings of immigration red meat, but has shown no interest, or ability, to solve our nation’s dual immigration and labor shortage problems.
America needs real solutions, not just another cruel helping of immigration red meat.
Preserve American democracy at the ballot box
The Christian Christmas season is a good time to think about the world’s religions. Most religions promote codes of conduct, which may include “treat others the way you would like to be treated.” Most widespread religions can be traced to a teacher(s) who taught the code(s) of conduct: Judaism (Abraham, ca 1500 BC); Hinduism (The Saptarishi, ca 1500 BC); Islam (Muhammad, ca 570 BC), Confucianism (Confucius, ca 550 BC); Buddism (Gautama Buddha, (ca 550 BC).
The U.S. judicial system recognizes Rule of Law as “a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are: publicly promulgated, equally enforced, independently adjudicated, and consistent with international human rights principles.” The Constitution and Declaration of Independence recognized equality, personal freedoms, rule of law, and separation of Church and State in constructing an American Democracy to replace historic monarchy and autocracy.
Some political factions (Tea Party, Libertarians, House Freedom Caucus, MAGA, etc.) object to governmental regulation intended to prevent harm to individuals by unprincipled persons (e.g., speed limits, safe foods & drugs, consumer fraud, etc.). The MAGA faction seems to disregard the rule of law.
Nikki Haley recently cited resistance to government intrusion upon personal freedoms as one of the causes of the American Civil War. “Freedom” was an incredibly telling choice of words: What she clearly meant was the freedom of slave-holders to hold other humans in bondage as slaves. Not all people can be trusted to self-regulate. Let’s preserve American democracy at the ballot box in 2024.
PSU accountability report lacks financials
Recently Penn State published a report, championed by President Bendapudi, to demonstrate a new era of transparency with “information our lawmakers and public request most often” (see CDT, Dec 18). I applaud our President for her leadership, but the report needs a major revision. Five of the 11 pages contain detailed information about racial/ethnic trends of our students and faculty, but there is scant information about financials (tuition and student debt trajectories and trends in university endowment, long-term debt and institutional costs.) In particular, Pennsylvanians, alumni and lawmakers should know more about the financial context for the likely $700 million investment in the refit of Beaver Stadium.
Such an investment, the largest in our history, would increase our long-term debt 20% to $4.6 billion, a 400% increase over the past decade. With a current $4.5 billion endowment, our debt to endowment ratio would exceed 1 and likely impact our future credit worthiness. (In comparison, the Ohio State ratio is .49 and Michigan is .59). Moreover, the debt service on a (20-year revenue) bond, given today’s high rates is likely in the 3.5% range which would result in an annual cost of $49 million. Is it clear that our additional football revenues would comfortably exceed this cost? And, how much of this cost will be borne by ticket holders? Are there other alternatives? Ordinary Pennsylvania home-buyers, using their own money, know that this is not a good time to buy. Does our board?
Opt-outs hurt bowl games
Ohio State and Penn State lost their bowl games to the SEC. Both fan bases are blaming the head coach. I don’t understand why players opted out. You played all season and you choose to be selfish and not support your teammates in a NY6 bowl game. Shame on all the opt-outs who chose to be selfish and quit on their team. There has to be a NCAA rule to stop this.