How many Americans living here legally and paying taxes can say this? [

]

The scumbags ripping off these people deserve to be in jail, no doubt. But the victims—all living here illegally, most with Oregon Trail cards leeching off U.S. taxpayer money—should be deported immediately.

Maybe WW can do the next sob story about how many illegal residents are abusing the system and stealing from U.S. taxpayers. That is just as much fraud as anything else.

—"American"

"Two Oregonians found the perfect crime: falsely promising vulnerable immigrants documents. Why are they not in prison?"

The exact same reason American companies willingly hire undocumented workers: because they can and because they know they can get away with it and because they know that even (on rare occasion) when they get busted, they know they won't go to jail anyway.

Besides, the heat isn't on illegal employers and scammers who rip off gullible immigrants, now is it?

—"Damos Abadon"

WELCOME TO POLITICS

Mr. Don Gavitte, you hold one of the most important roles in our society—educating our children—but you have made so many statements here that reveal your true nature that I'm not sure where to start, but I'll try anyway ["Hotseat," WW, Nov. 27, 2013].

"I can be more subversive. I fill out the form and say I'm doing one thing but do something else in the classroom."

You admit to falsifying educational records simply because you don't agree with the policy or methodology? I'd like your thoughts on this.

"There are easier ways to make a living."

No, sorry, there are no "easy" ways to make a living. They are all hard. Please don't minimize the rest of us by making your profession out to be more difficult than what us non-teachers do.

"I never remember seeing School Board members in schools I've worked at. They make pronouncements, and you think, 'Whatever.' Every once in a while they have our lives in their hands. Then we pay attention."

In the same paragraph you complain about School Board members not being engaged, yet you admit not bothering to pay attention to them until your "lives are in their hands." I wonder how often (if ever) you attend board meetings.

"Plato believed only an elite few could govern because the rest are self-absorbed idiots. We are proving this to Plato."

So, since you're running for office to govern, do you consider yourself one of the elite few or one of the idiots?

Bottom line, Mr. Gavitte, it looks like you are already well on your way to being the quintessential Oregon politician.

—"nathanp2112"

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