Re-election of Arpaio a vote for rule of law

(PNI) As a snowbird, I was happily surprised at the support for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

It's good to know that most people believe in the rule of law.

I am very pro-immigration and very anti-illegal immigration.

We definitely need reform. Until we get it, the existing laws should be enforced.

-- Dean Dalrymple,

Sun City

An archaic ballot system

As a former poll worker and supervisor in the 2008 election, I'm dismayed but not surprised at the number of provisional ballots cast in the recent election. It is the reason I did not offer my time this year and one of the reasons I now vote by permanent mail ballot.

I believe Arizona's voting laws are archaic and detrimental to the tradition of in-person voting. Why? Because polling places constantly change and voters constantly move.

Our poll workers have many important duties. Verifying polling places for voters should not be one of them. Nor should they have to endure the anger of voters who wait in line only to be told they must go to another location or use a provisional ballot.

Why should it matter where a registered voter casts his ballot, any more than it matters what mailbox I use to cast mine?

Our voting laws must be updated, or we will continue to see more provisional ballots -- which take days to review, verify and be counted -- and there will be fewer people willing to work at the polls.

-- Mary Marshall, Mesa

Cut Congress' pay, perks

Why would someone sign off on a document from a no-name nobody like Grover Norquist unless that person feared losing his or her cushy job?

It seems obvious that the reason these politicians sign the document for no higher taxes is that they will lose campaign funding from Grover and his cronies. That may lead to having to get a real job and go to work for a living.

Solution: Reduce salaries and benefits in Congress to teacher-level wages so you get people to run for office who truly care about doing the right thing for the people of America and would never bow down to a Grover type.

-- Gary Graham, Anthem

God provided marijuana

Regarding the "Medical-pot prescriptions studied" article last week:

I'm endlessly amazed at the state government's audacity against the will of its citizens when it comes to marijuana. The last thing the government has is the right to look at its citizens' medical records. There are laws against it.

If we're going to update the law, let's remove the restriction where patients won't be allowed to continue growing their plant medicine when the courts finally allow a dispensary to open within 25 miles of their location.

It's a plant, folks. We have an endocannabinoid receptor system for the THC and CBD molecules. It means we have a symbiotic relationship with the plant. Look it up.

Wonder when we're going to realize it's a vitamin that God has provided for us. For free. The peaceful plant is coming home. Prepare.

-- Mike Templeton, Mesa

Mormonism's bright face

Now that the election is over and the candidate I voted for lost the election, I can now pick the real winner: the Mormon religion.

Mitt Romney demonstrated by his actions that he lived a faith devoted to service to mankind. (I am not a Mormon.)

Had he won, he would have been a superb example of what a true American looks and acts like.

It is unfortunate that the other side of the coin is Chicago-style politics (Need I say more?) and Hollywood fakes.

It was unfortunate that, when Romney said 47 percent would not vote for him because they are on the government dole, he was right.

The United States will never again be the same because 50 percent or more are getting freebies from the government, and that is growing every day and people feel it is owed to them. Now that we have passed that threshold, we can never turn back.

It is a very sad state of affairs, but the Democratic Party is now the Socialist Party of America, and we are headed in the same direction as Greece, Spain, France and all other socialist countries using a failed model.

-- Richard Ksenich,

Phoenix

We must back education

I wish to sound the alarm over our failure in Arizona to support education.

In California, voters approved a ballot measure to raise taxes by $6billion annually over seven years to help California's public schools. By contrast, to quote this newspaper, "Arizona voters … rejected a ballot proposal to retain a sales-tax increase dedicated to education."

I am retired, no longer have children, and as a retiree am not eager to pay more taxes. However, I am also a retired pediatrician and now work as a full-time elementary-school volunteer coordinating a science lab for children in grades K-6.

By starving Arizona's schools financially, we will surely deprive our children of an education as good or hopefully better than the one we received.

Wake up, Arizona!

-- Dr.Ted Hecht, Scottsdale

Ads should thank voters

Now that the election is over, will we see any political ads thanking us for our support? Will that 30-second spot declare that the winner promises to work with the other side to finally get something done in the statehouse or Congress? Just wondering.

--Judy Darling,

Apache Junction

Founding Fathers aghast

Big government, the concept of voting in your own entitlements, and the something-for-nothing mentality triumphed.

Hard work, self-sufficiency, checks and balances, and small government lost big time.

Our Founding Fathers are rolling over in the grave.

--Richard Allen, Phoenix

Final note to Republicans

Well, well, well. Thanks to all of the overly rabid, poison-spewing, toxic-ad Republicans out there: You blew the election!

--Art Cote, Peoria

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