Trump compromise offers solution on immigration

Our country is dealing with the longtime failure of our government to do its job. We are faced with the results of an immigration policy that has been ignored for years. We have within our borders people who do not belong here, yet we recognize that many have been here for years, perhaps their entire lives, and only know this country.

Democrats have made those immigrants the focus of their campaign. Some believe it is a ploy to secure votes. Whatever the reason, their mission is causing a stalemate with Republicans who are eager to enforce our laws. It is also causing uncertainty and fear in the immigrant community.

The president has put forth a compromise. There is something for both sides to celebrate and something that amounts to a bitter pill for both sides.

If we, on either side, will not support this measure, then we are willing to accept the rancor, gridlock and extraordinary amount of time, money and energy being spent on the issue.

I believe it is time to accept those who are here, build a wall and enforce our laws and move on. And I mean both sides.

If you agree that this is the way and this is the time, send an email, letter or phone call to your representatives and senators to support President Trump's compromise.

John Bryant, Rotonda West

Moscovian candidate vs. an innocent man

An innocent man welcomes investigations and investigators. A Moscovian candidate shouts, “Witch hunt,” and invents schemes to discredit investigators.

An innocent man shows all his financial records and tax returns to show absolutely no money trail to Russia. A Moscovian candidate hides his finances and invents bogus excuses for doing so.

An innocent man with nothing to hide tells the truth. A Moscovian candidate lies constantly.

An innocent man condemns Russia and Putin for interfering in our presidential election. A Moscovian candidate praises Putin and refuses to implement sanctions imposed on Russia almost unanimously by Congress.

An innocent man values independence and impartiality in the FBI and the Justice Department. A Moscovian candidate demands personal loyalty and fires those whose allegiance to the Constitution supercedes being on the president's personal team.

An innocent man talks willingly and openly with the special counsel. A Moscovian candidate stalls and hides behind lawyers, and plots to fire the special counsel.

This Moscovian Trump doth protest too much!

Randy Kraft, Bradenton

Time to let Florida enjoy daylight saving year-round

In March the biannual ritual of resetting clocks will take place. This archaic activity has been around since 1918 and has undergone many variations over the decades.

Over 60 percent of the world stays on daylight saving time, and in our country some states keep DST all year and several states are working in this direction.

Simply put, DST gives people more time to enjoy their evening hours by taking an hour of sunlight from the morning and moving it to the evening.

There have been opposing views to this regarding safety. However, government studies of the effects on overall safety concerns indicate no statistical significance to this argument. As a further bonus, power consumption decreases 3.5 percent.

Now there is a glimmer of hope in state Sen. Greg Steube's proposal to provide more time for Floridians to enjoy the daylight hours, as well as letting the Florida panhandle leave the Central Time Zone and join the rest of the state in the Eastern zone.

Robert Karz, Sarasota

Benderson development would damage Siesta Key

I was truly pleased to read that, regarding Siesta Key, Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio stated, "You are the engine that drives our visitors. None of us are here to damage that."

I hope that applies to the proposed development by Benderson at Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41, which would seriously impair the traffic to Siesta Key and make it even more difficult to move smoothly and safely get to our  No. 1 beach. That development must not be approved.

Phyllis Prager, Sarasota

Mary McLeod Bethune deserves Capitol statue

It was very gratifying to read that the Florida Senate has voted to install a statue of Mary McLeod Bethune in the U.S. Capitol. This is a long-deserved honor.

In 1953 (before Brown vs. Board of Education), I was hired to teach history at Bethune-Cookman. Although Mrs. Bethune was no longer president, she was a prominent force on campus, and we all recognized her unparalleled contributions to African-American education.

Even in the 1950s, she was active on campus and an inspiration to faculty and students. It is one of the great honors of my life to have known her.

Dwight W. Hoover, Sarasota