I wish Russell Pearce was as enthusiastic about tourism and winter visitors as he is about handgun ownership and anti-immigration. The latter do not create many jobs unless we count the boost in the undertaking trade. Arizona is now among the leaders in gun-involved slayings.

Frequent headlines: “Officer shot... Deputy recovering from gun shot... Bicyclist shoots officer in the face.” I ask the governor, the powers that be and Legislature to have a heart for the officers and their families. Arizona leads in lax gun regulation. (Former state Sen.) Russell Pierce led the foolish effort for the good, bad and feeble to carry concealed weapons without instructions or permits.

One of the principal reasons for Social Security was to reduce the workforce by assisting and encouraging the elderly to retire. This creates opportunities for the future of the nation, allowing young families to gain employment.

Elected and public safety employees get increases while double dipping. School teachers and other workers have had no cost-of-living increase. Who do you think they want to cut?

You got the money, buddy? I got the guns.

 Richard Tracy, Sr.: Long established governing polices that allowed civilization to advance are being challenged by conservative groups. In Arizona, led by the Goldwater Institute they succeeded in narrowing the definition of “public use,” creating the new dilemma regarding zoning powers that would shield Luke Air Force Base.

The Gun Lobby points out, cars kill more. To save lives and property, Vehicles are registered. Insurance is required. Inspections and limit auto of use and abuse for public safety.

To the Venter who refers to what America has done for our, ”General Welfare”, as “Socialism.”

I was so pleased to find the Tribune again on my doorstep Sunday morning (the Tribune has increased Sunday circulation from 100,000 to 150,000). Small independent newspapers were the lifeblood of American democracy and made this country a world leader: an example of life's promise. The only drawback: Getting this free press gift is robbing my morning coffee pleasure with know-it-all types like Tom Patterson. They ignore the facts and never admit they have been wrong.

Responding to Richard T. Tracy Sr. letter of Nov. 24 (“Liberals didn’t create current problems”), perhaps he does not recall that the federal (liberal) government outlawed red-lining (the practice of not lending in certain areas where the chance of default was greater). Also, he forgets about “fair housing and lending” requirements which also required lenders to lend to marginal borrowers. He also perhaps forgot about all the lending programs to assist first-time buyers and those with poor credit scores.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and comments may be edited for clarity and length.

As we review the past century, Arizona had many great leaders and some not so great. I worked along with Ernest McFarland, had contact with Barry Goldwater. They were honestly interested in people and justice, not dividing the country. What qualifies a Jay Heiler to be a Board of Regent member? Many with no constructive solutions find fault with any action of the federal government. Top the list with Tom Patterson, president of the Goldwater Institute and weekly editorial contributor to the East Valley Tribune. References to God to support political positions are not consistent with my varied Christian upbringing. Barry Goldwater was a true patriot; he should not be required to share that title with a Russell Pearce.

 I am watching with sadness the protesters who are “upset” with the same-sex marriage votes in four states. They are saying that lies were the basis for the propositions going against the allowance of same-sex marriage. Things we heard were that if same sex marriage were allowed, we would have a hard time protecting our children from being taught about it in schools. Can we imagine the furor that would arise from these same people if it had gone into effect and we fought to keep it out of the classrooms?

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

It should not come as a surprise that ACORN is being investigated for voter fraud. Its prior convictions are well-known. The most galling aspect of this is that this supposed “nonpolitical” organization is in fact a far-left organ of the Democratic Party with known contacts with Barack Obama. In fact, Obama was a director and trainer of ACORN recruits.

In light of the recent shootings, where innocent civilians and police officers were murdered by madmen, the federal government has once again raised the specter of gun control and the erosion of our Second Amendment rights.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.