Letters to the Editor - January 10, 2013

We really live in a republic

I find it very interesting that people continually refer to our government as a democracy when in fact it is a republic. In the Pledge of Allegiance, for instance: “and for the Republic for which it stands.” This is the reason for the Electoral College. One only has to look at the definitions to understand the differences and why we are a republic.

A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a “public matter,” not the private concern or property of the rulers and where offices of states are subsequently directly or indirectly elected or appointed rather than inherited. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of state is not a monarch.

A democratic government contrasts to forms of government where power is either held by one, as in a monarchy, or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, inherited from Greek philosophy, are now ambiguous because contemporary governments have mixed democratic, oligarchic and monarchic elements.

If we were a democracy the president would have all of the powers. Since we are a republic we have the systems of checks and balances. Our founding fathers were wiser than we give them credit. A common quote is: A woman asked Ben Franklin what was going on, to which he responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Our founding fathers were afraid of one person having too much power and hence chose a republic instead.

Please keep this in mind when you ask the question about majority vote and the Electoral College. It is commonplace for newspapers and magazines to use terms such as “United States is the leader in democracy” or “Democracy in Action” when in fact it should refer to Republics instead. This is not meant to press the significance of one political party over the other.

Kevin McGivern
Lakeville

Effort appreciated

Many thanks to Susan Dickinson, Tri-State Chamber president, and Wendy Hamilton for their efforts through the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce in raising funds for the trees that lined our town during the Christmas season. Driving through town at night with a dusting of snow and the glowing lights was magical. A fundraiser well done!

Ann-Marie Nonkin
Lakeville
 

Rights and responsibilities

We declare that children have the right to live free of the threat of gun violence, accidental or intentional.

We recognize the right and responsibility as a civilized society to take measures to protect children and ensure their right to grow in safety.

We hereby declare our homes, our churches and our communities to be Sanctuaries of Peace. We pledge to work together to create safe, firearm-free sanctuaries for our children, community, families and neighbors. We further urge our congregants, neighbors and all people of faith and good reason to take clear steps to remove deadly assault weapons from their homes.

We pledge to work within our communities to help build a culture of peace that includes teaching young people alternatives to violence. We will actively reach out to those people marginalized by mental illness.

As we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we too refuse to believe that “the bank of justice is bankrupt,” and we refuse to accept that we must sacrifice our sacred responsibility for our children’s well-being on the altar of personal right of possession of deadly weapons.

We endeavor to end the long night of fear that our children and families have had to endure. We have witnessed too many shameful slaughters of innocents, for too long. King’s words remind us “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom  ... by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

We will not be silent anymore. We shall not forget. We must now grant our children the right to freedom from fear of deadly weapons, and we must take action to change the current culture of fear to a culture of peace.

We, United Church of Christ faith leaders of our Northwest Connecticut Corner community endorse this Proclamation of Sanctuaries of Peace, and we resolve to work toward the assurance of the civil right of all to live in freedom from fear of deadly firearm violence.

Scripture tells us “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” — Isaiah 2:4.

We are committed to working for peace, in our homes, in our communities and in our world.

Rev. Diane Monti-Catania
Salisbury
Rev. Melinda Keck
Kent
Rev. Micki Nunn-Miller
Cornwall
Anne and Tim Hughes
Silver Lake Conference Center
Sharon
Rev. Michael Wu
Winsted
Rev. Jacquelyn Hall
Winchester Center
Rev. Donald Morgan
Warren
Rev. Erick Olsen
Norfolk
Rev. Savage Frieze
North Canaan
Rev. Margret Hofmeister
New Hartford
Rev. Dick Taber
Salisbury

Fun time at Holiday Skating Party
 

On behalf of the entire Housatonic Youth Service Bureau staff and board of directors, we would like to expresses our appreciation to Head of School Malcolm McKenzie and The Hotchkiss School community, including Michael Traggio, for hosting our Holiday Skating Party.

The school opened the doors to Dwyer Rink on Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offered the community valuable time on the ice. In total, over 75 families enjoyed skating, music and yummy baked goods. Families from all over the area were quick to arrive at the rink to enjoy this winter day event. The festive atmosphere made for a day that family members of all ages could enjoy.

Events such as this would not be possible without the support of the school and our team of volunteers. Among our volunteers, a special thanks is due to the members of our Youth In Philanthropy program. This group of dedicated HVRHS students made a fun and delicious event for all!

The Hotchkiss School is a valued member of our community and we are grateful for their support. The support we receive from the many members of our community, from individuals, to businesses, to private schools, is critical.

Because of this support, we continue to serve the children, youth and families of our community.

Nicholas Pohl
HYSB Executive Director
Falls Village

Gun law article wrong on two points

Last week’s lead article on Connecticut gun laws was seriously marred by two factual errors in its opening paragraphs.

It says that Connecticut’s crime rate is on the rise. Both violent crime and crime against property have fallen markedly in Connecticut in the last 10 years.

It also states the barring and restricting of anything doesn’t keep it out of the hands of criminals. This simply is not true. Switzerland, which is in love with guns, has more than five murders per million while neighboring Germany, which has strict controls, has less than one.

When the article gets down to talking about Connecticut’s gun laws it is detailed and excellent. Unfortunately in its lead-in it sounds like propaganda for the NRA.

Hendon Chubb
Cornwall

In wake of Newtown shootings

In the wake of the tragic events in Newtown just over two weeks ago, every community across the country is undergoing a thorough self-examination of the security within their schools. Undoubtedly, and as it should be, many schools will find new measures to help ensure the safety of both their students and faculties.

As both a parent of three students at Salisbury Central School and one student at Indian Mountain School, as well as a concerned American, these recent events and potential repercussions have captured my full attention. Hence, I have avidly followed the national and local media in their ardent debates over gun control, mental health, as well as what new security measures might make our schools safer from what patently amounts to terrorism. The discussion at all levels is admirable, as well as necessary, but much of the rhetoric is disturbing.

While I understand that our collective outrage and deep sorrow for the murder of innocent school children and faculty will inevitably bring a call for drastic preventive measures, I strongly believe that any “security measure” that brings more weapons into our schools will only result in greater tragedy. Actions as these will only raise the chance of greater personal injury, as well as denigrate the learning environment our children need.

More guns, carried by either “professional” security or administrative personnel, would not only detract from the safety our children now feel, but in the unfortunate yet highly unlikely event of some violent intrusion, these same guns could hardly guarantee anyone’s safety. Lethal collateral damage from internal firefights would be an unintended consequence in any such event.

My plea to our very sound Board of Education, administration and faculty is to strongly resist any security measure that would include firearms within the walls of our already very safe schools. I trust that we will not let the passion of this terrible moment sway us from the good judgment I know we all possess.

Simone Levett Kailani
Salisbury
 

Shock will be slow to wear off

My heart goes out to those lost at Sandy Hook. I feel we also need to light candles and send up prayers for those children and their families who survived. They, too, are victims of the awful tragedy. I have had PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) for most of my life, so I know the effects that can happen to those children. Please remember them.

On another topic, good for Sharon Hospital (my old alma mater, I worked there as a registered nurse), but what about the poor nurses who are working mandatory 12-hour shifts. Didn’t used to be that way.

Susan North
Kent