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Do you think this year’s high school graduates have it easier or harder than you did?
Melissa Murphy Consistently ranked as a Top Ten producing agent since 2008
Erin Artman: So much harder! The job economy is almost nonexistent and the cost of college has skyrocketed, so even if they do graduate college, they are so far in debt it will be difficult to pay back the loans without some kind of miracle.
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1640 S Maple Blvd.
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EXT: 136
434 W 22nd Ave.
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EXT: 105
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letters
Stop Tiptoeing
As a UK citizen who has lived in the States for over 30 years, I have watched in slack-jawed disbelief as you have descended further and further into gun violence (“The English Way,” 5/16/13). If I were in charge, I would take away your guns and send you to your rooms without supper to think about what you have done. Since that isn’t an option, I do have a workable alternative for you: three years mandatory national service after high school. You would be able to keep your precious arms with the additional responsibility that you would bear them in a military or first responder unit, and would be on call from ages 18 to 65 for the latest war, bombing or natural disaster. Stop tiptoeing around the Second Amendment as if it would crumble into dust if you touched it. Ask yourselves Dr. Phil’s question: “How’s that workin’ for ya?” Answer: 300,000 gun-related deaths since 9/11 — it’s not. Constitutional law, including the Bill of Rights, is subject to ongoing interpretation and reinterpretation based on the greater social good. Don’t be victims of special interest groups — make the law work for you. Ray da Silveira Spokane, Wash.
Exclusionary Policies 407 E 26th Avenue
South Hill Bungalow with Vintage Charm! Top to bottom remodel! New front door, fresh exterior paint, new kitchen and full upstairs totally remodeled. Spacious back yard with new cedar deck. Newly landscaped front yard with raised beds. Only a few blocks from Manito park, this cozy and inviting home won’t last long!
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melissa@proper t y by prime.com
proper t y by prime.com
8 INLANDER MAY 23, 2013
Everyone holds up the Constitution like it’s the Bible. It‘s strange how when the Spokane leadership is given the opportunity to make those constitutional rights more concrete for the citizens (“Let The Voters Decide,” 5/2/13), they don’t jump at the chance. Maybe they are more like the Founding Fathers than I think. The rights in the Constitution only included white male landowners, and while the distinctions aren’t so clear these days, I’m sure they know where they are. If the Spokane mayor and city council derail the initiative process, it will be clear that they don’t serve all the people. Donald Dysart Spokane, Wash.
Get Out of the Way
Spokane voters should be allowed to have their say — up or down — on any ballot initiative that has the required number of valid signatures. “Let the voters decide,” says Councilman Mike Fagan (5/2/13), but apparently only for initiatives that the city council supports. The city council should not give the mayor authority to block the citizens of Spokane from voting on the Community Bill of Rights. Pre-election legal opinions are no substitute for post-election court deliberations. Furthermore, even when a voter-approved initiative law is ultimately found unworkable or unconstitutional, the initiative process is worth the effort, because it is our best barometer of the aspirations of a selfgoverning people and ensures that our elected officials are indeed acting at the consent of the governed. Kenny Jones Spokane, Wash.
Make It Expensive
About substance abuse of prescription drugs by the same people who own the prescription pad (“Heal Thyself,” 5/16/13): I agree with the point that the threat of ending a doctor’s career isn’t the answer to solving the issue at hand. The major problem is the fact that addiction is a disease that needs to be treated, not avoided. This can be solved in two different ways. Rehab clinics would help the user (doctor in this case) achieve sobriety, and charging very expensive fees for refills of these prescription drugs would also keep the patients from becoming addicted. In doing this, it would become difficult for patients to get refills, emphasizing the importance of the drugs being needed for strictly reducing pain rather than substance abuse. Although the price of refills would increase, the price of the original prescription would remain the same. The consequence for the doctor using/abusing and distributing excessive amounts of prescriptions should be the suspension of his/her license. Zachary A. Chapman Cheney, Wash.
Bill Turner: I don’t think any generation has had it any more or less difficult than the previous. It all depends on if someone is willing to work towards a goal. If you just sit around waiting for, or feel entitled to something, chances are great that you aren’t going to get very far. Nicole Lengling: Sadly, I agree it is tough these days. There is some work out there, though, they just need to to be frugal with their money for a while. Jennifer Fanto: I think no matter when you graduate it can be as easy or difficult as you make it. We all face our own unique set of challenges and must find a way to overcome them. Carol Landa-McVicker: I think today’s world is more challenging for many students. More dysfunctional families, more poverty, fewer jobs for high school graduates, higher cost of college. Tanisha Marie: Vision n discipline is the only thing I believe that separates da losers from da winners regardless of the year you graduate... hope these future graduates are adaptable cuz it’s a cold world... Shaeleen Fasbender: I think that high school graduates have it easier in the sense of options but are limited by economy and finances. Which is sad. Sasha Eric Jude Holman: I’m part of the class of 2011 and we had it pretty rough as it was. Now the economy is even worse and everything is more expensive, so I say good luck to all of them and get out there and find a job, don’t wait a year to “have some fun after high school” because that approach didn’t work for most of my friends. n