Made in the USA
To the Editor,
Since Ronald Reagan came along with the ideas he and his followers promoted regarding free trade and trickle down economics, manufacturing in this country has largely gone to hell in a handbasket.
However, one segment of the manufacturing base, primarily owned, no doubt, by wealthy members of the corporate oligarchy, has not been offshored and has remained robust — the manufacture of materials of war.
Our endless engagement in war in this century has guaranteed the stability of this industry. Apparently, more armaments are made than can be sold as we have seen the equipping of law enforcement agencies across the nation with the surplus. W.T.H.? Is law enforcement at war with the American people?
Why was 15-year-old Luke Smith, armed with a pocket knife, shot to death by an officer who was armed with a semi-automatic long rifle? There were more than four officers on the scene. Could they not figure out how to subdue the boy without killing him? A police dog had Luke on the ground engaged in a scuffle, then “bang!” What was the rifle doing there? Those things are made for one purpose only: to kill human beings.
Stuff made for our military should never be in the hands of anyone else! And Trump recently advocated (authorized?) giving our cops more military gear.
Thomas Stumbaugh
Aptos
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Protect wild horses and burros
To the Editor,
National monuments and taxes aren’t the only issues being debated by Congress this month. America’s historic wild horses and burros may be on the chopping block as well.
The Interior Department, under Secretary Ryan Zinke, wants to reduce wild populations to extinction level by killing up to 90,000 of these cherished animals. It can’t happen without Congress’ support.
Recent polling shows that 80 percent of Americans, including 86 percent of Trump voters and 77 percent of Clinton voters, oppose killing wild horses and want them humanely managed.
Will Congress listen to the voice of the people and continue to protect these animals? Or will it bend to the cattlemen’s lobby, which views wild horses as competition for taxpayer-subsidized grazing on public lands and is pushing for roundup and slaughter?
We’ll know in a few weeks. Your voice could make a difference. Call (202) 224-3121.
Amy Howk
Santa Cruz
