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Letters to the Editor, Feb. 28 Tuesday Feb 28, 2017 at 2:00 AM Mar 2, 2017 at 7:01 AM Why I subscribe Not infrequently, I read angry letters to the Mail Tribune complaining of its liberal bias. Perhaps these letter-writers are angry at fact-based journalism, such as AP stories, or MT’s opinion columns, which range from right to left. I subscribe to the MT because it and the Tidings are the only source of daily, local news; because MT’s editorials are generally well-researched and reasoned, even if I don’t always agree with them; and because I enjoy several of the columnists, the letters, the obits, and Dilbert. Plus, I like to support journalism and newspapers. The only area where MT seems to skew left is cartoons. I’m guessing this is because Trump & Gang are making themselves such delicious targets for cartoonists (and comedians), and because those on the right are not known for their sense of humor. Julia Sommer Ashland A retreat, not a comeback In 1871, my great-grandfather, the Mayor of Konigsberg, refused to draft the young men of his town into the Franco-Prussian War. Karl Brussat had to flee Germany for his idealism. He sent money home and brought 30 more families to the United States. I am sure this great-grandfather of mine would have objected to the policies of Donald Trump, just as he opposed those of Kaiser Wilhelm I. This administration presages no “comeback,” but a “retreat.” Trump may bring American companies home from abroad by inciting other countries to persecute them, and this may create jobs. But don’t expect to make a living wage — labor and safety laws will go the way of environmental protection regulations. If Joe Blow gets hurt at work, or his wife and kids get sick from drinking bad water, they won’t have enough money to see a doctor, and they will undoubtedly resort to the snake oil products that will flood the market without Federal Food and Drug Administration oversight. Under Trump we are looking forward, not to a comeback of the “Leave It To Beaver” 1950s, but a retreat to “The Jungle” of 1906. Tony Brussat Central Point Rethink birthright citizenship Maybe it’s a good thing the restaurants closed in protest; people could learn how to cook again, just a thought. Then there is the travel ban. Although it was poorly written there seems to be a need for it. Homeland Security estimates there were over 400,000 people who overstayed their visas in 2015. Apparently there is no way to track these people after they enter. It is the same with the people who enter illegally; once they make it over the border they think it is their right to be here. Then three or four weeks ago the Tribune ran an article concerning birth tourism. The article reported the fact that Chinese women were staying in a hotel in San Francisco until they had their child and then the child would be a citizen by birthright. I am sure this is probably happening on the East Coast also and most likely on the southern border. Maybe it is time to rethink how birthright citizenship is applied. R. Hammer Jacksonville Written on the wind Tom Brussat's letter of Feb. 15 spoke of all the many many wonderful things that are going to happen to our country — if, if — "if the present administration does what it promised during the election." Brussat's poignant idealism automatically reminded me of an old poem, Poem No. 70 by the ancient Roman poet, Catullus. To paraphrase the final two lines: "But what one tells their lover in desire, should be written on the wind and running water." That's just how President Trump's promises have sounded, in my opinion. Patti Morey Ashland