Letters to the Editor for Feb. 14, 2019

Hoping congresswoman is aware of gun-control bill’s faults

In her letter to the editor (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Jan. 7, 2019), Ellen Sward expressed concern that Congresswoman Herrera Beutler remains silent on HR 8, one of several gun-control measures being considered at the federal level.

I don’t know why our congresswoman has “thus far taken no position on HR 8,” but perhaps it is because she has read the bill and understands it. Maybe she simply doesn’t want to impose discriminatory new taxes on her constituents.

The bill, “H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019,” would require every gun transaction, whether purchase, loan or gift, to have a federal background check, which means a trip to a gun store each and every time and the payment of a fee, which in turn suggests a taxing opportunity, and, presto, a source of government income.

There is ample historical evidence to show countries that traveled down the road to the ruination that is socialism disarmed their population to make the people safer from each other. Unfortunately for the people, the governments didn’t follow through and disarm themselves and, somehow, all the criminal things the people used to do to each other occasionally, the governments did to everybody all the time. I very much hope that Congresswoman Herrera Beutler is aware of this also.

Lee Howard, Washougal

Politicians on both sides should face consequences for racist acts, language

Politicians who dress up in “black face” should face appropriate consequences imposed by their colleagues and constituents.

But why have so few of our pundits and political leaders commented on the need for the likes of GOP Rep. Steve King to step down, a man who recently commented: “White nationalist, white supremacist, western civilization: how did that language become offensive?”

We also need to call out every politician who endorses racist proposals designed to disqualify otherwise eligible African-American voters under the guise of addressing voter fraud.

Ellen Sward, Vancouver

Tell Murray to stop blocking ‘Born-Alive’ bill

The Democrat National Platform now includes infanticide. Our own Senator Patty Murray is blocking the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill which would have required doctors to provide medical care to babies born alive during failed abortions. The state of New York passed a bill, with overwhelming Democrat support, which allows abortion up to the time of birth. However, Democrats for Life have denounced the New York law and oppose all similar extremist and abhorrent abortion laws. I encourage all Democrats and Republicans in Clark County to call Sen. Murray and tell her to stop the block on this bill and assist in its passage. Call the senator at her Washington D.C. number: 202-224-2621, and let her know it’s time to end the block on the bill.

Kevin Sudbeck, Camas