Left’s tired immigration stance fuels crime
Jay Bookman presented the same flawed argument as other leftists who counter President Trump’s reasserted call for a border wall in light of Mollie Tibbetts’ murder (“Murder as a means to further an agenda,” Opinion, Aug. 26). Ms. Tibbetts is just one of many victimized by someone who had no right to be here. Whether undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes is irrelevant. One can’t deny the fact that none of these crimes would have been committed if the offender had not been able to cross the border illegally. No one is saying Cristhian Bahena Rivera is representative of all undocumented immigrants. But a wall would require people to come through ports of entry, or to apply for entrance the legal way so they could be properly vetted. Controlling who and how many people come into our country is just common sense.
DORIS NASH, CONYERS
A way to honor Sen. McCain’s bipartisanship
To honor the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska suggests Congress pass legislation that makes both parties uncomfortable. Why not tackle redistricting reform to end hyper-partisanship? Both parties will have to give up manipulating legislative maps. Iowa is one of the few states where redistricting is created through a nonpartisan commission. A nonpartisan legislative staff develops the district lines for the Iowa House and Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The voters of Iowa overwhelmingly support this nonpartisan initiative with positive results. The Iowa redistricting process is an excellent blueprint for other states; it would help increase bipartisanship and civil discourse in Congress while resulting in more bipartisan solutions to our most pressing issue. What an awesome way to honor Sen. McCain’s legacy of bipartisanship across all states.
BRIAN DINAPOLI, DECATUR
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