Constitution isn’t a legal document; it’s THE legal document

John Wilson’s “Observations of a census enumerator” smacks of the arrogance that too many Americans have come to expect from their federal government.  What arrogance to say “the Constitution is not a legal document” and “census questions have nothing directly to do with the Constitution” as if to suggest that people should simply comply without question.

Our federal government is one of enumerated powers. It has no authority to act except where the Constitution has given it leave to do so.  Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution allows Congress to count the people living in the several states for the purpose of determining how many representatives a state will have in Congress.  The 10th Amendment is a simple sentence: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

I believe many people will comply with reasonable requests.  But if they don’t want to answer government questions they feel are an intrusion of their privacy, then that’s their freedom, which shouldn’t be judged or questioned by a census enumerator.  Examples of some information people may not want to give to the federal government include but are not limited to these examples from the “long form” of census, part of the ACS program started in 2005: monthly electric, gas and sewer bills, monthly rent, home and health insurance cost, health disabilities, how many times they’ve been married, etc.

Even after last week’s announced savings, 2010’s decennial census is expected to cost $42 per person counted.  That figure has accelerated more than eight times faster than inflation since 1970.  When the federal government currently has a debt of $13.3 trillion, maybe our federal government needs less information about its citizens and maybe it should just focus on its given mandate of simply counting the population.

Eric Egger

Leesburg

Upgrade town hall dialogue: Study your politicians

A recent letter “Bring jobs back,” written in support of U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th District) strikes a deep chord with me, and I wish we could all have a national dialogue on this important subject. However, we had nationwide town halls last year and scripted brown-shirts were listening only to the voices in their own heads and shouted down other Americans who tried to share their opinions. Is it even possible for people with deeply felt convictions to be civil anymore?

Since jobs are important to everyone, we need to be clear. When such people speak about billions in “misspent, ineffective stimulus” are they speaking about the teachers’ jobs saved, the public safety employees still serving all of us because of Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or bridges and roads that are safer and provided employment? Wolf voted against these.

I absolutely agree that the Department of Commerce must develop strategies to bring back outsourced overseas jobs and set targets for manufacturing-sector job creation. Why on earth would proponents of small government think a law is necessary to do this?

Alas, there are jobs that will never come back. When companies closed the mills in North Carolina, they sold the looms to China for pennies on the dollar. Looking to the future, Obama’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act awarded Loudoun $2.2 million to help “develop clean energy jobs through community projects that save energy.” National grants total $3.2 billion.

I heard on more than one occasion conservative “experts” say that extending unemployment benefits “disincentivized” out-of-work people from looking for jobs. What? What are their children going to eat? Politicians’ words?

Please check the Wolf’s vote on this issue.

It is vital that we work together for solutions. Temper tantrums and scurrilous signs are a way of venting but do not serve hurting people.

Vicki F. Gallant

Hamilton

He doth protest too much

I read with great interest Supervisor Stevens Miller’s letter in the Loudoun Times-Mirror complaining about our congressman, U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th District), and how allegedly the Board of Supervisors were not informed about Wolf’s forums on gang violence and Lyme disease. Considering that both events were well attended I believe Mr. Miller (D-Dulles) doth protest too much.

All one has to do is sign up for Congressman Wolf’s electronic newsletter to learn about the different forums and issues that he is working on. That is what I and hundreds of citizens have done. As a community, we are fortunate to have a congressman like Frank Wolf who has worked hard in a bipartisan fashion on our behalf on such issues as gang violence, Lyme disease, Dulles rail and transportation improvements. In fact, Congressman Wolf just sponsored another very successful job fair in Loudoun. In the end, it is Mr. Miller who is engaging in petty, partisan politics.

Bob Lazaro

Mayor of Purcellville

Crime-prevention event a success

The Town of Lovettsville experienced another successful community partnership event Aug. 3 at our annual celebration of National Night Out Against Crime. I wish to thank the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inova Loudoun Hospital for sending the mobile medical unit, the Lovettsville Lions Club for providing food, and the Lovettsville Community Center for the venue.

Once again this year, there was a great presence of our citizens to learn about the nationwide program of crime, drug and violence prevention, and to hear about the importance of community relationships with the police. Games, prizes and activities were enjoyed by the children, and food, ice cream and swimming were appreciated by all.

Deputy Vanessa Mertz-Myers was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her duties as our community police officer during the time she was stationed in Lovettsville, and deputy Baker was introduced as our new CPO. Community policing is an area where pro-activity is important and necessary in order to have an impact on crime.

Congressman Frank Wolf was in attendance at the start of our celebration and discussed his efforts in securing funding for the creation of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, which benefited the Sheriff’s Office in its efforts to disrupt gang activities in Loudoun County.
Many thanks to all who attended this event, and again, thanks to those who participated.

Elaine Walker

Mayor of Lovettsville

Let us try the opposite tack

I thought at first that your editorial about Hispanics and the so-called poor was satire until I realized you are serious about taxing those who work and pay taxes and giving to those who don’t work and don’t pay taxes.

Now I can’t find anywhere in the state constitution or the federal one that slavery is now legal. Because when you take my money and give it to those who haven’t earned it, then that sir, is slavery pure and simple. You can call it charity or social justice or helping the kids or whatever name you want to hang on it, but it is not morally right.

Frankly, I am tired at all the “help” that illegals and others get courtesy of taxpayers—free breakfast, free lunch, free health care, not paying taxes, not having drivers’ licenses or car insurance. This just the tip of the iceberg, as when the county funds the schools with property taxes and the vast majority of illegals are not paying taxes.

Now before you say “that is not true,” consider this. With three or four families living in a house and all of them having kids in the school system, you are only getting the taxes from one house yet they have two to three families using the system and not contributing a dime to the cost.

Now you complain about the Hispanic drop-out rate, well they don’t feel they have to assimilate and become Americans. So they don’t learn English, they basically know that socialists like you reward a free ride to those who don’t produce.

I notice that many of these so-called poor families you refer to are driving new cars and buying new furniture courtesy of those home equity loans they take out and then abandon when they move on to the next house they buy. When you talk about food, they and their kids are some of the most obese people you can find. I certainly don’t see many skinny ones.

I have an idea, the great society idea pushed by the socialist/fascist element in this country has been tried for over 40 years and has only caused this country to slowly unwind and run up over $100 trillion in debt.

Let us try the opposite tack. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. If you don’t get a HS diploma, then you can’t get any welfare. If you do get welfare, then you can dig ditches or pick up trash to earn your check. If you have kids in school and you are not the owner of the home you are sharing with the other two to three families (in other words paying property taxes), then you would be assessed the same taxes as the homeowner so that you pay your fair share.

I know I am being heartless according to you socialists but, frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn. I’ll take care of my family and, friends, you take care of yours, and we will get along fine.

Jim Kiser

Sterling

Observations of a census enumerator in Sterling Bring Jobs Back: An Act of Common Sense Paintball parks disturb peace and serenity of western Loudoun Playing politics with our safety Lyme disease misconceptions can lead to long-term illness High Greenway tolls unfairly fleece Loudoun commuters A hearty thanks to ZumbaFest supporters, volunteers Car insurance isn’t a good example in health-insurance debate More protection needed for legal residents in tight job market Come together to take back America