To the Editor:
It’s time to raise the “death limit.” It’s only February and the country has already lost 61 dead and 168 injured in 37 national events of gun violence, many of which involved assault weapons.
Last week, several members of the Republican House observed that fact, and celebrated Gun Violence Survivor’s Week, by wearing AR-15 assault weapon lapel pins. Representatives George Santos (R-NY), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) were all caught on camera with the pins.
The same Representative Luna last week also participated in a “raucous” House Natural Resources panel debate to push back on Democrats’ attempt to ban firearms inside the Committee’s hearing room. In a dazzling display of thought process, she complained that, “the same Democrats who are voting to send firearms to Ukraine are telling me I can’t carry one.” Poor dear can’t tell the difference between a war zone and a House committee meeting. Reason enough not to allow her to carry.
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) argued that gun control isn’t the answer to mass shootings because “when 9/11 happened, we didn’t ban planes.” In fact, the safety measures imposed on civilian plane travel to prevent future deadly incidents forever altered air travel after 9/11. Where has “gun momma” been?
The “Gun Violence Archive” recorded 647 mass shootings in the US in 2022, and in excess of 44,000 people died due to gun violence in the same period. After 9/11 our outrage was inflamed at fewer than 4,000 deaths, and we went to war for 20 years over the attacks.
Still, even with broad support from American voters for some gun regulation – including some of whom are gun owners - Republicans have blocked meaningful gun reform legislation, including voting against bills to expand background checks for gun purchases.
Really, there is no point in raising the “death ceiling” from assault weapon fatalities. There is clearly no number of gun deaths, heartbroken parents, and destroyed lives, that will offend the consciences of most elected Republicans, many of whom receive enormous campaign support from gun lobbyists. Given the financial incentives, and the skewed thought process and lack of logic displayed by most Republican congressionals on the subject, there may be no limit to the carnage they - and we - will have to endure.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Tonight will be Biden’s second State of the Union Address. It is anticipated he will tout his accomplishments. In the event you were unable to watch the ceremony, he wants you to know the good he has done.
He signed bills that gave your tax dollars in the amount of $1.2 trillion to invest in bridges, roads, airports, and broadband internet. A $369 billion investment of your tax dollars to give $7,500 tax credits to individuals who purchase EV’s. Some manufactures raised the cost for their EV’s by a like amount.
While Biden capped drug prices of seniors on Medicare and reduced premiums for Obamacare, it is expected insurance premiums will increase to cover the reduced rates. In addition, Medicare recipients saw the largest Part B premium increase ever.
Biden wants you to remember that he created more jobs than any other U.S. president. Under Trump in 2019 unemployment was at it’s lowest since 1969, 3.5%; same as it is today under Biden. Biden won’t tell you that he paid out $1,400 a month for many to stay home, increased their unemployment payment, and on top of that, they didn’t have to pay their rent.
What he won’t touch on is items that you already know. Why should he remind you that gas prices, while they have come down, are still at a seven-year high. Or that everyday goods and services have all increased, causing more financial hardship to lower-income families. It’s doubtful they will decrease anytime soon, if ever.
Biden’s anti-American energy policies have not only hurt Americans with increases in electricity and heating oil, but is causing a global crisis throughout Europe due to the war in Ukraine and the shut-down of the Keystone pipeline giving Russian dominance in supplying fossil fuel. Sanctions imposed on Russia have not limited the scope of the war and the trickle of military aid from us and our allies has allowed Russia to continue its onslaught.
Biden’s failure to uphold the Constitution has resulted in an open border allowing for cartels to infiltrate our country. We are not immune, as Ventura County has seen an increase in sex and drug traffic incidents in recent months.
Democrats continue to push diversity, inclusion and equity (DIE) in the military, government institutions, schools and workplace. They’ve replaced meritocracy with DIE and we’re seeing a reduction in the education or background requirements for doctors, soldiers, airline pilots, etc. Even federal judges no longer need to know the Articles of our Constitution to be considered.
And that’s the State of the Union today.
Patti Walker,
Fillmore