Letters to the Editor

Apparently we have a difference of opinion as to why the Beatrice Husqvarna plant was closed. Neil Davis (Sept. 15) said the real reason it closed was because of efficiency (a very vague term)…to save money. My information that the plant was closed because of a shortage of reliable laborers came via an executive in the plant. I wonder if, quite possibly, it could have closed because of efficiency issues due to a shortage of reliable laborers?

Neil said, “Imagine the achievers that built this country having a defeatist attitude.” Who were the achievers who built this country? The aboriginal people were the American Indians so I assume he is talking about the immigrants who came to this country. That would include many of our relatives. My mother was a Davis. Maybe some of Neil and my relatives came from the same country…England. Exodus 22:21

I admire people like Neil who do the “grunt” work that keeps this country moving forward. I’ve done plenty of that kind of work myself. My grandson worked for awhile at a packing plant. The way he described the work made it sound pretty awful. I’m not surprised there is a fast turnover of laborers in that business.

I don’t know how many jobs would be unfilled if we don’t turn a blind eye to illegal immigration. I don’t advocate that we should turn a blind eye to illegal immigration but I believe we need to make it a little easier for honest, hardworking immigrants, especially the ones who are already here, to become legal so they can pay into our Social Security System. I don’t think they, or people who rent them a place to stay, should be treated like criminals. They are human beings and we aren’t Nazi Germany.

Many good workers have come here illegally including Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, an assistant professor of neurosurgery and director of the Brain Tumor Surgery Program in the Johns Hopkins Health System. He came here from Mexico as a 19-year-old illegal immigrant in 1987 with less than $5 in his pocket.

I read in this newspaper that the Husqvarna plant in Beatrice closed because of a shortage of reliable laborers. The writer’s implication was, if we don’t turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, jobs will be unfilled. The real reason the plant closed was efficiency. Husqvarna moved the operation to South Carolina to save money. A similar plant in Beatrice (Encore Manufacturing) has to lay off workers during slow-downs. That doesn’t sound like a shortage of laborers to me.

The writer expressed sympathy for farm organizations that would be forced to pay a decent wage if “strict” new laws like the one in Arizona forced illegals back to their own country. The Arizona law mirrors federal law, except for the point that federal agents do not need any reason whatsoever to approach and question a person (something the Arizona law prohibits). The writer thinks we should feel guilty about expecting others to obey the law, if we have broken one at some time ourselves. “Yes we are a nation of laws but” laws don’t matter?

The writer commented on Paul Fell’s recent cartoon about local anti-immigrant laws (Fremont). Intolerance, fear, bigotry and ignorance were somehow misconstrued as partisan politics? I do not agree with Fell on this issue, but don’t think the position of The Times should be one of censure. Political cartoons are meant to create controversy. Fell is originally from Massachusetts. His position will undoubtedly run against the grain of Nebraskans on occasion.

The writer tries to justify illegal immigration by using the tired saying, illegals will do the work we Americans would rather not do. That is the most defeatist statement I have ever heard.

Imagine the achievers that built this country having that attitude. Worse yet, what if everyone had that attitude going forward? There wouldn’t be any forward. I have been doing that kind of work all my life (hot, cold, dirty, noisy and beast of burden labor intensive). That’s not a sob story. It’s just the way it is.

If I’d had higher ambitions, I could have done any number of things. While I have a sense of accomplishment for things I have done, I’m not telling any exceptional story either. There are millions of stories like mine. Through hard work and determination, there is a good chance people can achieve whatever they desire. At least that used to be the case.

If the government wasn’t giving away free food, cars and houses, I guarantee you would see Americans lining up for those jobs. That “free” stuff isn’t free. It comes from the labor of those who did take the initiative to make something more of themselves. Instead of being applauded for their efforts, they are taxed as the “evil rich.”

I don’t care if you’re rich or poor. If you don’t have the willingness to work toward something and the desire to learn, I think you’re missing out on what it is to be alive.

Every month I pay two insurance premiums to cover my home and vehicles in case of fire, theft, accident, etc. I have a claim in process from the storms in the area this past July. My agent has been Jerry Jorgenson since I first insured in the early 1980s.

Imagine my surprise upon reading the letter in the Sept. 1 Gothenburg Times that explained my right to choose my agent and where my policy resided had been taken from me. That my policy, including my paper and computer files, was moved without my knowledge/informed consent to a new agent/office.

If like me you didn’t have a choice in this matter and would like to be sure your business stays where you chose to have it originally, you need to call Mike Fregn at 308-389-6552. Ask that your files, both paper and computer, be transferred back to the Jorgensen’s office.

The people at the State Farm office in the Gateway building can also take your information and get your files transferred back to the Jorgensen’s if that is your choice.

This unfortunate confusion is not the fault of either Mr. Fergn or the Jorgensens. It is just the way the State Farm company deals with matters in these circumstances.

Here I go again. I had to respond to Neil Davis’s latest letter. He seems very discontented with our governing system. He doesn’t like the Democrats in charge but says that if we change politicians, they will only become part of a corrupt system.

I disagree with his assertion that we have a corrupt system. I have heard people say that the Democrats are advocating Marxism or socialism. Excuse me, but I believe we still have private ownership of property and everyone still has the right to vote. We still have the right to express our opinions (which Neil and I do quite frequently).

We are still a two-party system with a checks and balance system which is designed to detect and expose corruption…real corruption as opposed to alleged corruption by politicians or parties trying to discredit the other one. Although I believe we are exposed to entirely too much propaganda via those forwards which are designed to inflame the emotions but are not necessarily credible information, it is not illegal.

I believe we are blessed to live in a country where we can vote, own property and express our opinions. I feel blessed to have a form of government which cares enough about its people to take care of our elderly, disabled and veterans, educate our young people, defend us and feed us. These amenities don’t come from an evil form of government and don’t come without a price.