Candidate understands true costs of illegal immigration

I recently came across the Web site of Amit Singh, Republican candidate for Virginia’s 8th District, and I read his platform with great enthusiasm. His stance on illegal immigration was like a fresh breeze after a summer shower. 

Unlike most of the political and cultural elites in liberal Northern Virginia who have adopted a see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil approach to illegal immigration, Amit — himself the son of immigrants — evidently understands the costs illegal immigrants impose on our public welfare infrastructure.

Furthermore, his views on other issues reveal a thoughtful and dynamic young man who understands the forces that built this country and, more importantly, what is needed to keep America great.

Mark Jaworowski

Arlington

Montgomery residents’ utility bills are high enough

The latest proposal by Montgomery County Council member Nancy Floreen to increase taxes on utilities for county residents displays a complete lack of understanding for the financial situation taxpayers face. Our utility costs are already up dramatically due to deregulation.

The solution here is simple: Reduce expenses! The County Council took advantage of flush times over the last few years and spent beyond its means. Find a way to cut back — that’s what you do when you don’t have enough money.

Dave Ohlrich

Rockville

Better ways to spend money than funding missile defense

Re: “Reagan was right on ‘Star Wars,’ ” Editorial, April 9

Your editorial confuses three different military systems.

President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative was intended to provide a shield against Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles. That goal was abandoned early as being too ambitious. Today, the United States and Russia each have about 600 ICBMs with nuclear warheads aimed at each other. Both countries keep these missiles in “launch on warning” mode, which means hair-trigger alert. Either side, if convinced the other is attacking, would launch. Once launched, an ICBM cannot be recalled.

In stark contrast, China (which is not drowning in deficit spending as we are) has shown little interest in increasing its small force of about 18 ICBMs that can reach the United States. The Chinese know that having a larger number serves no purpose.

Today’s limited missile defense plan, which among other things calls for U.S. installations in Poland and the Czech Republic, is a far more modest scheme officially aimed at “rogue” nations or actors and is really intended to defend against nuclear missiles from Iran that do not yet exist. Some tests of this defensive system have been successful; more have not.

This is a costly and unnecessary effort that amounts to a welfare program for U.S. industry and those two Eastern European countries, both supporters of our failed policy in Iraq. And contrary to your editorial, it has not yet been proven that it can work.

The Navy’s “direct hit on a disabled spy satellite” on Feb. 20 was a demonstration of a third capability — offensive operations against satellites in low orbit, which are easier to hit than an ICBM. Yet this shoot-down of a single decaying satellite required 45 days of preparation, 3,800 people and about half a dozen Navy ships. Contrary to your editorial, the satellite otherwise would have burned itself out leaving orbit. There was no danger “its secrets could fall into enemy hands.”

The money going into these programs would be better spent on other military hardware needed by the armed forces.

Robert F. Dorr

Oakton