District residents need a vote in Congress, not more guns

Re: “Should Congress or the courts decide D.C. gun ban’s fate?” April 3

Our answer to the question posed by Cato Institute Senior Fellow Robert A. Levy’s is a resounding “neither.”

Levy has long portrayed himself as a defender of oppressed citizens in the District, but the truth is that the overwhelming majority of D.C. residents are not seeking the “freedom” of a handgun in every home. We are united, however, in seeking the basic right of self-determination.

That’s why DC Vote is dedicated to enacting the D.C. Voting Rights Act into law, which would grant us voting representation in Congress for the first time ever and allow us to decide which laws are appropriate for our city.

Like the NRA’s legislative efforts, Levy’s lawsuit has adroitly exploited the District’s lack of voting representation in Congress. D.C. is both liberal and progressive, yet the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is one of the most conservative courts in America. This is possible only because the District has no senator, and therefore no input whatsoever into the confirmation process for presidential nominees.

Curiously, our organization has yet to receive a single offer of assistance from Levy or the Cato Institute in our efforts to pass H.R. 1433, which speaks volumes. Their concern for democracy does not extend past the barrel of a gun.

Sarah Pokempner
Member, Board of Directors
DC Vote

White House immigration plan is unwanted ‘gift’

Re: “White House floats new immigration plan,” March 29

With heavy input from the big business community and pro-illegal immigration groups, President Bush has gift-wrapped another “solution” to our growing illegal immigration problem.

This unwanted fruitcake, which will be delivered early this year, includes: candy-covered amnesty for millions here illegally, major increases in uneducated and unskilled immigrants well above traditional levels (with a tremendous bias toward Spanish-speaking nations vs. other parts of the world), and weak, ineffective measures to enforce our laws and borders.

What’s missing? Input from law-abiding citizens who actually commingle with the illegal immigrant community and who will be on the receiving end of this massive influx of humanity should the plan become law. Who asked for another 100 million Americans in the next 20 years, with the accompanying environmental and law enforcement problems, not to mention overcrowded highways, housing, hospitals and schools?

Our melting pot is overflowing. Why should illegal immigrants already in the U.S. be rewarded with a path to citizenship for a measly few thousand dollars? I believe the American people are willing to accept slightly less economic growth in exchange for lower crime, traffic congestion and taxes.

Mr. President, decreased levels of both legal and illegal immigration, a secure border and enforcement of our laws would be a wonderful replacement gift.

Brad Botwin
Director, Help Save Maryland.com
Rockville

Christianity can’t be dismissed so easily

Re: “Defining evangelicals down and to the Left,” April 2

In his op-ed, Paul Chesser states: “Today, far removed from that time when it had precise meaning, ‘Christian’ can mean anything from devout adherent to simple do-gooder. Doctrinally and politically, it distinguishes no one.”

What a bunch of rubbish. A Christian is someone who attempts to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is just another attempt by the left to dismiss Christianity, which has been around for more than 2,000 years, as a viable entity.

If persecutions, torture, murder and mass executions have failed to wipe out Christianity, what makes a left-wing journalist think that he can succeed?

Lewis M Bish Jr.
Washington