Letters to the Editor

Threat to privacy

Why is it that no one seems to mind that the federal governments is spying on its citizens? We are told that we should be afraid of terrorists, and if this ability to wiretap is in any way hindered, we are left vulnerable. In other words, our security now depends upon the government's ability to eavesdrop.

The Fourth Amendment provides one of the things we hold most dear: the right of privacy. This is the right against unsanctioned invasion of privacy by the government. Our privacy also is protected in the due process clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

At one time, Saddam Hussein was supposed to be the most feared individual, and our security depended upon his elimination. A terrible flaw in that thesis has since been revealed, and we have come to regret the invasion of Iraq. Once again, though, we are being led by fear to not question another invasion — the invasion of our privacy— which has an even more sinister implication, and we may well come to regret this even more in the future.

Remember, one of the most important oaths a president takes on being sworn in is to protect the Constitution. If the government decides to trash the Constitution in favor of protecting the American people, who is going to protect the people from the government?

STEVE SOUTHER
Village Creek Lane
Mount Pleasant

Don't complain

To the letter writer who complained about the expansion of the Bees Ferry landfill. If you move into a neighborhood that is next to an existing garbage dump, please don't complain when it smells.

LOUIS E. CAMBLOR
Eton Road
Charleston

Nader's successes

Probably you'll get 50 negative responses to my one enthusiastic one, but thank you for printing Ken Ward's thoughtful piece on Ralph Nader.

Not only does Nader criticize the way both major parties pander to the corporate world, he raises issues we've grown so used to that many voters no longer consider it even possible to ask our politicians to address them, such as the huge number of innocent children still going hungry, the number without adequate shelter and without any form of medical care in the richest nation in the world.

I met Ralph Nader two years ago when he was the commencement speaker at my university, and I found him a thoughtful, ethical and principled man.

The issues he advocates are those many American voters in both major parties would want to see on their candidates' list of priorities, such as universal health care, more and better consumer advocacy, greater support and funding for research dedicated to exploring alternative forms of energy and more effective restraints on corporate malfeasance.

As Mr. Ward observes, Nader already has many accomplishments to his credit. Does the average voter of either major party appreciate his record on seat belts, air bags, accuracy in food labeling, protection from radiation, the passing of the federal Freedom of Information Act?

I write this letter not so much to encourage you to vote for Ralph Nader as to encourage you to respect the man and the issues he represents. As Ken Ward observed, "Nader is the only candidate attempting to give a voice to the voiceless."

In the midst of all the brouhaha in this highly politicized campaign season, I urge you to remember those who cannot speak on their own behalf.

MARILYN R. MUMFORD
Old Village Drive
Mount Pleasant

Sixth traffic rule

Regarding the article titled "Drive 5": I loved it.

I'm beginning to think that more and more licenses are being obtained in Cracker Jack boxes than ever before.

The five basic traffic rules in the article were great except that a sixth should have been added — pulling over for ambulances.

So many people forget to do this, and then when you do pull over, the idiot behind you tries to pull out to get in front of you without letting you back on the road.

I am fed up with this and think the police need to be on the lookout for drivers who do not pull over.

DAWN PIKE
Yellow Hawthorne Circle
Summerville

Immigration issue

For anyone following the excellent Post and Courier coverage of the illegal immigration issue, it should be painfully clear why governments at every level have failed to address this issue.

Too many American businesses have become addicted to cheap illegal labor and like any addict will not give up their free ride at the expense of law-abiding businesses and taxpayers.

The S.C. Legislature's immigration bill is fully supported by the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.

That is understandable, since the bill, as crafted, will do nothing but mask the problem, while providing political cover for politicians doing the bidding of business lobbyists.

Sen. Glenn McConnell recently estimated an annual cost of $180 million in taxpayer-funded services required to support the illegal immigrant population and those businesses who knowingly hire them.

What are we taxpayers getting for subsidizing these businesses? We are getting an unbroken trail of lawlessness and greed.

Our communities are job magnets for illegals and are being overrun by those who enter the United States in violation of federal law. No business owner with an ounce of common sense is fooled by these false IDs, but it provides them with an easy excuse for their illegal conduct.

As a result, good paying jobs for many citizens disappear because unethical businesses hire illegals who work for greatly reduced wages and, in many cases, cash under the table.

The amendments offered by the Senate improved the House version.

However, it was weakened by allowing any so-called "valid driver's license" to be offered as proof of a worker's legal status. Many states issue licenses to anyone with a pulse and the license fee.

Only use of the E-verify system, offered free of charge by the Department of Homeland Security, or the IPS validation of workers' Social Security numbers should be accepted as proof of legal status.

Our lawmakers know what must be done, but do they have the political will to do it? Judging from the details of this bill, they are looking to enshrine the status quo while being able to claim political cover by having "tried."

We need only to enforce existing laws to deny illegals access to jobs and social services. With no meal ticket, they will decide to self-deport gradually over time.

W.R. RIGGS, P.E.
Franchise Street
Charleston

Wonderful friends

Frank Wooten's March 2 column was a very welcome one for dog lovers and potential dog families across the Lowcountry. As "parents" of a rescued lab and a lab mix, we know the joy of discovering two wet noses and two wagging tails waiting to greet us at the door, or waking us from our slumber, to remind us that it's time for the walk around the neighborhood.

These two wonderful friends play chase throughout the house with my husband, rearranging the furniture along the way. They have brought us companionship and comfort, and happiness and unconditional love.

They remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. But we recognize that their well-being and safety is a result of a solemn promise we made when we invited them to be a part of our family.

Now that the Charleston Animal Society has opened the doors of its new facility on Remount Road, joy in the form of a "four-legged friend" awaits many.

My prayer is that all who are considering making animals a part of their family, will consider adoption from the shelter, and that they will make a commitment to love and care for their new friends for all of their warm, fuzzy lives.

MARY KAY WEBB and GARY WEBB
Watroo Point
Daniel Island