Ban pest control poisons for consumer use: Reader

Ban poisons for consumer use

My beloved pet died a horrific death due to the reckless actions of a neighbor.

If you fail to notify neighbors that you are setting poison out in the neighborhood to kill vermin then you have no business dealing with something so serious and deadly. Even if you do notify neighbors, you still have no business using poison, period, because even if the targeted animal succumbs to the poison, a neighborhood pet, wild animal, or even a child, may come into contact with the carcass or feces of a dead critter and may be gravely affected. The poison can basically spread within the neighborhood.

It is 2020 and we have the technology and expertise to use more humane methods of pest control that are much less risky and deadly. DIY poison placement is not acceptable and should finally be banned for consumer use.

Arianna Fort

Northeast El Paso

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Why are Republicans against health insurance for all?

Why are Republicans so set against health insurance for Americans? I can understand why they don’t want to lift a finger on the COVID-19 deaths -- it mostly kills minorities and therefore likely beneficial to Republicans.

But pre-existing conditions affect Americans across the board. Is it because non-minorities are not burdened with pre-existing conditions? Non-insureds are a heavy burden (if anyone lifts a finger to help them) to society. They delay getting help until the conditions are severe and costlier to treat.

Marcos Velarde

East El Paso

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Peaceful transfer of power is bedrock of democracy

The first peaceful transfer of power (between political parties) took place when Thomas Jefferson became president in the famous election of 1800. This peaceful transfer of power between political parties has been one of the bedrock principles of American democracy and government.

The recent comments made by the president as to whether he will accept the results in November if he loses would have been unimaginable in the 220 years following the election of 1800 with the exception of the Civil War period. It reflects the politics of fear, resentment and personal ambition taken to the extreme.

As many have already noted, Donald Trump will mount legal challenges to contest an unfavorable outcome and will continue to message to his staunchest followers that if he loses it will because the election is rigged.

It is imperative for the majority of Americans to see this situation for what it actually is: An attempt by a seated president to inject uncertainty into the electoral outcome and during the period immediately after the election in which he will take an opportunistic approach to further his personal political agenda at the risk of undermining electoral democracy.

He cannot be allowed to succeed.

Bert M. Diamondstein

East El Paso

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Gallinar is the choice for mayor

El Pasoans face an important election for mayor. The community has always faced tough challenges. Economically, its problem has always been that it produced too few good paying jobs to keep its young, talented residents or to allow the return of those who had left.

The census has been documenting that El Paso has one of the highest levels of net out migration in the nation. That’s talent leaving in droves. The city’s growth rate is at a historically low rate. Years ago, El Paso made the catastrophic mistake of focusing on low-paying jobs. That was like giving our young a one-way ticket out.

The city must change and prepare for a better future by creating centers of excellence at UTEP, at the Health Sciences Center and the community college. It needs to build the infrastructure to generate a proper future for its residents and its business operations. It needs a mayor focused and prepared to deliver a different plan, one that departs dramatically from former failed policies.

Carlos Gallinar is the best choice to lead El Paso to a better future. It won’t be easy, but Gallinar has the plan and the ability to turn the city around.

Raymond Caballero

Portland, Oregon

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Ban pest control poisons for consumer use: Reader

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