Amash's 'shameful' stance
It is shameful that Rep. Justin Amash is declining, yet again, to debate his campaign opponent. Paul Henry and Vern Ehlers, the two immediate predecessors to Amash, always debated; why not Amash?
Apparently Amash, who loves to brag about his transparency as a politician, is only transparent when he chooses to be. His excuses (busy schedule, perceived "smear campaign") don't ring true. Rather, he knows denying his opponent the platform of a debate boosts his own chances.
Congressman Amash, what are you scared of?
Tim Ozinga/Grand Rapids
Amash column questioned
Incredulous! That describes my reaction to retired Calvin professor Robert Bolt's article, "Amash makes an irresponsible call." Without a doubt, there are great risks to our constitution today, but it's not due to Rep. Amash's opinion that a single law - the so-called Affordable Care Act - is unconstitutional.
I submit that the main threat comes from Mr. Obama himself. He and his merry men (and women) have recklessly circumvented and ignored laws they are sworn to enforce (think the required 30 day notice to congress before releasing terrorists); and they've unconstitutionally changed laws they themselves have created (think Obamacare and the dozens of changes made by Mr. Obama himself!).
In the same issue of the Press, Kathleen Parker made this statement: "The president will circumvent laws as circumstances require." Mr. Bolt warns that a chaotic society results from abuse of the constitution and with that I concur wholeheartedly. If only our president would heed his warning. He alone is in the position to - and does - "circumvent laws" unilaterally. And if anyone really thinks Mr. Amash is a greater threat to the constitution than Mr. Obama, you need to review this president's record just a bit more carefully!
Ron Ezinga/Grand Rapids
Robert Bolt had a letter entitled ‘Amash makes an ‘irresponsible’ call.’ He attacked the congressman because Amash had called Obamacare unconstitutional. I recommend that Mr. Bolt read the US Constitution.
Our Constitution, the law of the land, is only about 7600 words, and it doesn’t take a lawyer or justice to understand its meaning. Just because 5 of 9 Justices voted that Obamacare was constitutional doesn’t re-do the constitution to make it so. The vote does make Obamacare more-or-less legal — but it still violates the constitution. If the court were to vote that I am a 5-foot female — I remain a 6’3” male.
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress specific powers; Section 10 restricts the States. The 10th Amendment (part of the Bill of Rights) says that powers not specifically given to the federal government or prohibited to the states remains with the states and the people. And neither welfare nor healthcare is mentioned in Section 8—or in any of the amendments. So Obamacare is unconstitutional.
Oh, Obamacare was declared constitutional because it was a tax; well, tax bills have to start in the House—this one didn’t; thus, unconstitutional. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Mr. Amash is committed to defending our constitution against those who would un-constitutionally re-write or re-define it. And he calls a spade a spade. That’s commendable.
Denny Gillem/Grand Rapids
Clearing the air
It’s time to clear the air—on a big announcement that takes significant action to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a proposal to limit emissions from existing power sources, a measure that builds on the progress of already announced standards to limit emissions from new power plants. Taking these steps to limit emissions will help fight climate change, spur our economy to innovate and move to renewable sources of energy and help the state’s economy to become more energy-efficient in the years to come.
Michigan already has a head start on these efforts with the help of a strong renewable energy standard. However, progress will stall if the state’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) is allowed to expire in 2015. Responding to the threat of climate change is a necessity and an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.
By taking this action, we can help ensure the safety and health of our communities and grow family-sustaining jobs while reducing the pollution that’s driving climate change.
Please submit letters to the editor to firstname.lastname@example.org.