LETTERS Rep. Scalise, beheadings, prevailing wage

Tired of the name-calling

Re “The GOP has a bad habit of consorting with racists” (Viewpoints, Jan. 2): Are The Bee’s readers going to be subjected to Eugene Robinson’s name-calling for the next two years? E.J. Dionne is bad enough, but at least he has some common sense. Robinson goes way beyond.

The people who actually know Rep. Steve Scalise say that “he doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.” Scalise, 13 years ago when the country had not gone into a tailspin of political correctness, spoke to any group that he could to get support for a tax plan when he was a state senator. He was not a member of that group.

Implying that all Republicans are racist looks desperate. The country has moved on but Robinson hopes to resurrect the past. The country is tired of Democrats using race for political purposes.

What about our humanity?

Re “If beheadings didn’t shock, what would it say about our humanity?” (Op Images, Jan. 2): It is distressing that public executions are a greater affront to our ethics and sensibilities than the endless wars in which we are participating. The brutal effects of invading Iraq on a false premise, the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan from manned and unmanned airstrikes should be, by sheer numbers, exponentially more shocking. The choice of a nation to wage war rather than make concerted effort to better a suffering part of the world speaks volumes about our ethics.

I fear that relative profitability is the deciding factor. We are all – citizens, leaders, corporations and soldiers – complicit by our silence.

Why require union wages?

Re “New Year, new laws” (Capitol & California, Jan. 1): The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics says 1 in 9 construction workers are union and cost 30 to 35 percent more, not including employee benefits and employer payroll costs. That means the vast majority of construction projects use experienced non-union contractors. Does that mean the majority of construction is substandard?

Why then do government projects require bids using union/prevailing wages? It costs billions more tax dollars on infrastructure projects like bridges, arenas, bullet trains, water tunnels, roads, etc. What are the benefits? Can we rely on OSHA for work safety? Can we rely on required on-site government inspectors to assure proper workmanship? Can we rely on government engineering management?

If the answers are no, government oversight is a complete failure. If the answers are yes, who is looking out for the people who pay the bill? The taxpayers?

Rules of engagement

Re “We need to stand up for cops” (Viewpoints, Dec. 31): I am glad that, as a child, Ruben Navarrette took comfort in the maxim that police should prefer to be judged by a jury for their conduct rather than risk the possibility of death. I wonder if the parents of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old child killed by a police officer who applied that rule without bothering to consider before acting, feel any comfort from that rule.

Police officers deserve our support because they have accepted the obligation to protect the public. Sometimes that means delaying the use of lethal force even at possible risk to their own lives. Children might not understand the concept, but adults should. It is unfortunate that Navarrette still fails to understand this.

Burger joint’s free meals

Re “Midtown burger joint hands out free New Year’s meals” (Our Region, Jan. 2): Blankets for Burgers: What a wonderful idea Suzie Burger has for starting the new year off right. Feeding the homeless is fantastic anytime. I am the coordinator of Project Linus where volunteers make blankets for children in need. We will definitely be donating 100 blankets next December to Suzie.

The year to knit

Re “On New Year’s Day, we contemplate time” (Editorials, Jan. 1): In this new year, we should all knit. We can make gloves for the homeless, hats for preemies, lap robes for the elderly, blankets for Project Linus, a sweater for your spouse, a shawl for Granny and a scarf for yourself.

You can be colorful, creative and considerate. It’s emotionally, physically and spiritually fulfilling and healthy in all ways.

This story was originally published January 4, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "LETTERS Rep. Scalise, beheadings, prevailing wage."