Some thoughts concerning Bob Jacobs’ letter “Impeach Pelosi” (Jan. 29, TribLIVE):
First: Since when has it been acceptable to label a whole category of people “stupid”? Intelligent political discourse does not include name-calling; instead, it relies on facts and logic.
Second: The United States has controlled borders, requiring valid documentation to visit or immigrate, not open borders where people can legally move freely between countries.
Third: Just because illegal drugs cross our borders does not make our borders the reason illegal drugs come to the U.S. The reason illegal drugs are smuggled here is because there is demand for those drugs. And the demand will continue since humans have been using mind-altering substances for at least 12,000 years.
Fourth: The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. Drugs don’t even make the top 10. The leading cause of drug death in America is alcohol, about 88,000 yearly.
Fifth: Sex trafficking is a worldwide problem affecting millions of people, and illegal immigration does facilitate that, but a border wall isn’t going to stop sex trafficking.
Sixth: The reasonable costs of illegal immigration vary widely from $60 billion to $135 billion yearly, but don’t take into account the benefits. According to the Congressional Budget Office, “in aggregate and over the long term, tax revenues of all types generated by immigrants — both legal and unauthorized — exceed the cost of the services they use.”
So, before you call for impeaching Nancy Pelosi, or before you categorically call people stupid, you should check your “facts.”
Dave Samuel
Hempfield