Letters: Presidential power taken too far?

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner's reckless vow to sue the president for bypassing Congress is an outrage ["House may sue Obama," News, June 26]. Again, we see a Republican putting the well-being of party above the well-being of the nation. If Boehner (R-Ohio) follows through, he would not only be wasting taxpayer money, but also making the country a laughing stock at a very critical time -- all out of a vindictive craving to delegitimize this presidency in its final two-and-a-half years.

The fact is this president has used executive orders significantly fewer times than any of his recent predecessors. For instance, the president has issued 168 in six years, compared with Ronald Reagan's 381 in eight years.

Frank Mazze, Farmingville

We just received a renewal letter from my spouse's Affordable Care Act insurance carrier. It announced a rate increase for the plan, which covers just her, of $42.18 per month. The total is now $412.46, or a 13 percent increase in one year!

The name really needs to be changed to Accelerating Cost Act.

Walter Ruzek, Mineola

The president has said again that he has no problem ignoring the Constitution and bypassing Congress if he does not get his way with the southern border immigration situation ["Pressure on immigration," News, July 2].

At what point is the media going to find this imperious and imperial president in contempt of the laws of the land? And, were these the actions of a Republican president, how long ago would the media have begun their assault on him?

Thanks to the Fourth Estate, former President Richard Nixon was forced to resign for crimes far less egregious.

John Savin, Massapequa

Sending advisers to Iraq a mistake

Two points to make about the 300 soldiers President Barack Obama authorized to go to Iraq: America sent military advisors to Vietnam in the early 1960s to help train Vietnamese troops. Any intention to become more militarily involved was denied. Do I need to say more?

Second, in spite of the trillions of dollars spent, and the thousands of American soldiers' lives lost trying to democratize Iraq -- not to mention the deaths of more than 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians -- our efforts have not been successful.

It's not worth sacrificing one more American soldier's life to try to make the Iraqi government friendly to the West. Let Iraq have its own religious government, and let America learn how to deal diplomatically with it.

Robert Shorin, Syosset

Obama has told enough lies for his flaming pants to set off the White House sprinkler system. His latest lie was that no U.S troops will be sent for combat to Iraq. He sent 750 troops there to protect the U.S. embassy and advise Iraqis, but about half of the U.S. forces are equipped with Army Apache attack helicopters as well as unarmed surveillance drones.

What else can you expect from a constitutional lawyer who shreds the Constitution? Forget about a lawsuit. It's time for Congress to start impeachment proceedings. President Pinocchio must be held accountable.

Dick Reif, Flushing

Lights and sirens on town cars

I fail to understand why Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and other politicians find it necessary to have lights and sirens on their cars ["Town cars with sirens a self-important sign," Letters, June 22].

This is something that should be restricted to emergency response personnel. As a former fire department volunteer on Long Island, I remember the emergency driver training I took. The training was given by either the fire department or police, and it was continually emphasized that any accident would be considered my fault.

I hope these politicians realize that. EMS drivers use lights and sirens while responding to an accident scene, and while transporting someone to the hospital. The fire department uses them while responding to the scene, and with caution.

Someone called it an ego trip. I tend to agree.

Paul McDermott, Glen Cove

'Robo-calls' a source of irritation

A letter about the GOP primary race between Lee Zeldin and George Demos prompted me to write ["GOP primary is alienating voters," June 18].

I am sick of the "robo-calls" that invade my privacy every evening starting at around 4 p.m. and going on until 9:45 p.m. I don't answer my phone any more when the caller ID says "private number" or "name and number unavailable." If someone wants to talk with me so badly, they can leave a message and I may call them back.

The amount of money being spent on these unsolicited calls and mailings could be put to better use. Why not donate to the victims of superstorm Sandy who are still not in their homes?

Irene Byington, Shelter Island