Watch what you ask for

Tea Party advocates and some senatorial candidates keep shouting the mantra of less government and less taxes. However, they never say how this miracle is to be accomplished.

Taxes finance or support the Armed Forces, police and fire protection, schools and universities, parks, and libraries. They build and repair our roads.

Taxes pay inspectors to keep our meat, food, drugs, bridges, and workers safe. All of the above have downsized because their funds have been cut. Tell me how you cut taxes without losing services.

Without government protection, we will be at the mercy of banks and big business. Remember the savings and loan scandal? Think about how the working class works harder for less buying power, while the fat cats at the top receive preposterous salaries, bonuses and perks.

I trust the government that gave me Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Though not perfect, these programs are better than the greed and underhanded history of banking and big business. Think about the unregulated bust of 1929 and the following depression, and the banking and securities debacle we are suffering through today.

People of the Tea Party, be careful what you wish for. You scare me.

Suzanne Dennis

121st Street

Much of the Tea Partiers' rage is justified, but is cynically misdirected by right-wing media demagogues. While they scream “government takeover” and “socialism,” government is being quietly taken over by capitalists.

We need government to “promote the general welfare,” as the Preamble to the Constitution states, rather than just corporate welfare.

When a caring government sides with the people against the tyranny of big money, Republicans call it socialism. We used to call it democracy.

Phyllis Palmer

Lambertville, Mich.

The writer of the May 18 letter “Document also protects aliens” is wrong about the Constitution. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution clearly says, “We the People of the United States,” meaning citizens. That does not apply if you are not a citizen.

The phrase “for ourselves and our posterity” means for us and our descendants. Most people are intelligent enough to see through the writer's smoke screen.

The letter writer needs to return to school, as his education on the Constitution leaves much to be desired.

Daniel Gray

Defiance

Federal law states that aliens who enter the United States by nondesignated means or obtain entry by using false representation are “guilty of illegal entry.” If you are in America illegally, you are breaking the law. The new Arizona law simply gives police the authority to enforce federal law.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano admit not having read the law, yet freely criticize it. President Obama slams the law for possible civil rights violation and racial profiling. Civil rights are not violated when an individual is punished for breaking the law.

This administration needs to understand better the importance of tightening border security and spend less time coddling illegal aliens.

Requesting documentation of immigration status is not profiling. Every citizen is asked at some time to produce a government-issued document when using a credit card, writing checks, getting a loan, making major purchases, or entering the country. Is this profiling?

Richard Ketteman

Sylvania

My grandson, who served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, asked me to accompany him to his parents' home in Phoenix. When I was returning home, the train broke down in New Mexico and the passengers were assigned to a bus to catch another train at San Antonio.

Several times, Border Patrol officers checked the bus for illegal aliens. Asked if I was a U.S. citizen, I was pleased they were doing their job to protect our nation, and not profiling.

J.M. Curtin

Waterville

Times change, and so do names

When I arrived in Vistula on the Wheeling and Lake Erie passenger train, I drove my Willys down Chicago Pike to visit the Medical College of Ohio. To my surprise, all had changed their names.

I stubbed my toe and went to the University of Toledo Medical Center, before I left on Pan American Airlines to New Amsterdam.

These nonsensical paragraphs illustrate the petulance The Blade exhibits by inserting “the former Medical College of Ohio” after every reference to UTMC.

We know of the generosity the Block family extended to MCO in the past. Times change. William Randolph Hearst would be pleased.

Steven G. Sirotnyak

Sylvania

Facility should still be MCO

Many more medical professionals have printed on their degrees “Medical College of Ohio” than “University of Toledo Medical Center.”

The merger should never have happened in the first place, and though it did, “Medical College of Ohio” is still a more appropriate name.

Sue Alheim

McGregor Lane

Church adheres to Bible, not synod

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Maumee voted to withdraw from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America nationwide synod.

Contrary to your headline (“Maumee church votes to quit denomination,” April 26), we did not leave or withdraw from our denomination. We were Lutheran before and we remain Lutheran.

The Bible speaks clearly about homosexuality. We have been accused of not welcoming gays. Church is for all sinners, and no one enters our church who is sin-free. But when we accept Christ as our Savior and confess our sins, we are forgiven and must turn from our sinful behavior.

The issue is not about laypeople. We are talking about pastors. Any pastor who is blatantly sinful and plans to continue in that sinful lifestyle does not merit being ordained.

We believe we made the right decision. We will continue to welcome all people to worship with us and be obedient to the Lord.

Marilyn M. Pryka

Cady Street

Sisters' money dispute is sad

In New Haven, Conn., two sisters, ages 87 and 84, have fought over lottery winnings since 2005 and won't speak to one another (“Judge: Woman need not split lottery prize with her sister,” May 13).

As I pondered their fate, I reflected on the words of Apostle Paul: “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” At their age, instead of thanking the Almighty they are still here, they are arguing about money. That's sad and tragic.

Nate Washington

Bricker Avenue

Catch speeders near schools

Toledo police should set up radar at Arlington and Detroit avenues near Bowsher High School. No motorist drives 20 mph during school hours.

Police could also ticket drivers making an improper left turn, coming from Bowsher's grounds onto Detroit Avenue. The city could make a fortune.

Ed Seary

North Kenniston Drive