Letters to the editor: May 29, 2024 (print version)

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, May 29, 2024

I would like to voice concerns about our “commander in chief” forgiving student loans. What is the justification or criteria for doing so? I have young adult kids who went to college and made the choice to get student loans. They were also responsible and paid off their student loans.

As a taxpayer of 47 years I find it offensive that the tax dollars I paid are now being used to offset someone else’s choice to use the funds and not be accountable for their personal choices.

What next? Unpaid hospital bills? Loans on cars? Oh, how about credit cards? What happened to personal responsibility? Cause and effect? What happened to “We the People?”

Paul Chalmers

Pendleton

The comments of Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontariom in Rick Haverinen’s April 13, 2024, story in the East Oregonian leads us to wonder where Bentz gets his information.

Bentz states he was “told the other day” that the moose population in northern Idaho “is now zero.” According to Idaho Fish and Game, the moose population in northern Idaho counties runs about 5,000-6,000 animals. Moreover, the department says ticks kill more moose than wolves do.

Bentz says the wolf population in Minnesota “has grown like weeds,” while deer populations have been “dramatically reduced.” According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, between 2012 and 2022 the wolf population decreased by 12%, while the deer population increased by 5%.

The congressman further tells us that “wolves got into cattle and ran them off across the southeastern part of the state [Oregon].” This sweeping allusion implies there are no more cattle in Southeast Oregon. But according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, there are more than 52,000 head of cattle in Klamath County alone.

As for the draconian claim by Mr. Bentz that wolves are “cold killers,” by this logic, eagles, ladybugs and domestic dogs are too. In Minnesota, it is estimated that dogs kill at least 50 times more head of livestock than wolves. I’m waiting for Bentz to offer a bounty on Fido, Fluffy and their murderous pals.

Ric Bailey

Winthrop, Washington