Turlock pastor: Immigrants are a tremendous blessing to our nation. They make America great | Opinion
Immigrants make American great
“Hear Modesto protest against deportations,” (modbee.com, Feb. 10)
When an undocumented immigrant commits a crime, it’s unfortunate that some people seize it as an opportunity to generalize and unfairly label all immigrants, overlooking the countless immigrants who contribute positively to this country, enriching our society with their hard work and dedication.
For every immigrant who strays from the path, there are thousands of individuals who embody honesty and strong principles. Take, for example, the Latino immigrants who bravely helped put out some of the houses that were burning in the Los Angeles fires, some of whom are undocumented.
We must unite in demanding compassion and understanding from those who refuse to see beyond the negative portrayals of immigrants. Immigrants are not a threat; they are, in reality, a tremendous blessing to our nation. Immigrants are a vital part of what makes America great!
Pope Francis says: “We cannot think of migrants as a problem. They are individuals who have faces, names and stories.”
Fr. Misael Avila
Turlock
What have we done, America?
“Hear Modesto protest against deportations,” (modbee.com, Feb. 10)
Each year, in my faith tradition, the entire community is enjoined to accept responsibility for the sins of any single member. After all, when one of us “goes astray,” each of us must consider our role in failing to prevent it, or in rendering the loving-kindness that deters wrongdoing.
In that spirit I now ask: What have we done, America?
How could we elect a twice-impeached felon who believes he’s above the law? How could we swallow his promises to lower food prices on day one, or his pretensions of ending the war in Ukraine before even taking office?
In perhaps the most bone-headed move in presidential history, President Donald Trump offered to remove Gazans from their homeland and turn its utter devastation into a Mideast Riviera. Such idiocy would inevitably incite a new war not only with Palestinians but the entire Arab world, bringing on another wave of terrorism at the very moment the agencies defending us against it are being gutted.
Meanwhile, incompetent cabinet members continue to be installed, half the Senate continues to grovel and the entire country watches the underpinnings of our society being demolished.
Now, the question is: What are we going to do about it, America?
Mark S Haskett
Modesto
Trump’s water waste
“Stanislaus board approves road relocation for new reservoir,” (modbee.com, Feb. 4)
I’m not sure why we need this new reservoir in Del Puerto Canyon when President Donald Trump just released 2.2 billion (yes, billion) gallons of federal water out of Lake Kaweah and Lake Success.
I’m surprised sub-President Elon Musk didn’t use his Department of Government Efficiency to stop this ignorant waste of precious government resources. If Musk was on The Apprentice, he’d be fired.
James Ferrera
Modesto
Stop unlawful power grab.
“Elon Musk Demands Judge Be Fired For Ridiculing Trump’s Legal Argument,” (modbee.com, Feb. 12)
I am alarmed by Elon Musk’s unconstitutional takeover of federal financial systems, facilitated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This is about the rule of law, not partisanship.
Reuters and AP News report that Musk gained unauthorized control over U.S. Treasury payment systems, which handle Social Security and federal salaries. This followed the resignation of a senior treasury official in protest. Musk also pushed for the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development, leading to the suspension of officials who tried to prevent unauthorized access to classified data.
Congress controls federal spending, not an unelected billionaire. Historian Timothy Snyder warns that unchecked power leads to authoritarianism, and historian Heather Cox Richardson notes that democratic erosion starts with dismantling oversight.
This affects us all. If Congress is bypassed, who decides where our tax dollars go? Musk’s control could delay tax refunds, grants and Social Security payments while exposing Americans’ financial data.
I urge Central Valley residents to contact their representatives. Demand they protect democracy and stop this unlawful power grab.
Maria Gonzalez
Merced