Voters Voice

We got a fair amount of e-mail about President Clinton's support for youth curfews. And -- maybe it's not surprising from a Net audience -- a majority gave curfews a big thumbs down. Here are some of the letters we got. To reach us, send e-mail to editors@AllPolitics.com

"Why Punish The Good Kids?"

Once again, the government is here to help. Why do we have to punish the good kids with a curfew because we, as a society, do not have the guts to deal with violent youthful criminals?

My two boys have been going out until 11 or 12, especially during the summer, since they were 16 and could drive. Neither has had any history of crime and, as far as I know, have had no association with any criminal youth.

I fervently resent this intrusion into the rights of parents to govern their children's activities. I am contacting my congressional representatives but thought you might want my opinion. Hopefully you will hear from more like-minded people.

-- Colin Varnes, Lake Worth, Fla.

"A Useful Step"

I find that Clinton's proposal, whose proposal I am sure is not only his but one made because of the active concern of parents in the United States, is a useful step forward in seeking to take the necessarily drastic measures to help curb the crime on American streets. The Republican party is too busy banging a drum head to see the picture...

As well, the ACLU seems to assume that freedom means that everyone's rights cannot be violated, regardless of the obvious danger that that unharnessed freedom (is) to American culture. One of the founding principles for the freedom of the individual is based on John Locke's philosophical notion that, in order for two or more to co-exist, they must be willing to exempt themselves from the right to kill so that the other may exercise their freedom to live.

The notion is extreme, granted, but, the logic's inference is still correct: we must be willing to give up certain freedoms so that those freedoms which allow all to live peacefully among ourselves may not be violated. A curfew for today's youth does exactly that.

-- Clifford Anderson, South Pasadena, Calif.

"Punishing The Innocent"

As usual our government seeks to take away freedoms instead of defending them. Punishing the innocent along with the guilty will eventually cause deep resentment.

-- Edwin Martina, Phoenix, Ariz.

"Who's Going To Play Midnight Basketball?"

Hey, I thought midnight basketball took care of teenage crime. Why then do we need curfews? Also, if we have curfews, who's going to play midnight basketball?

-- Ray Magashazy, Hollywood, Fla.

More Voter's Voice

"Clinton's True Nature" -- May 31, 1996
"A Great President" -- May 24, 1996
"He's History" -- May 16, 1996
GOP Congress Not Omniscient -- May 14, 1996
Strategy For Dole -- May 3, 1996
New Hampshire Voters -- Feb. 20, 1996

AllPolitics home page