|
|
|
January 26, 2012 Opinions |
|
|
— LETTERS —
Inequality Issue Is Not Going Away
To The Record-Courier:
An editorial cartoon recently printed in the Baker City Herald depicted Mitt Romney in unfavorable light as an out-of-touch Republican presidential candidate. His personal wealth (around $250 million) and his recent comments have made him a sort of poster child for the top 1% of Americans.
A former corporate raider with Bain Capital, Mr. Romney says, "I like being able to fire people," and "Corporations are people." On top of that, he is reluctant to release his personal income tax returns, probably because he pays an overall tax rate of only 15% (and possibly less) on his considerable income. He prefers that this be kept quiet, along with any discussion of U.S. income and wealth inequality.
But the inequality issue is not going away. Despite Republicans' avoidance of this issue or their decrying it as "class warfare," most of us realize that we have become a society more unequal than at any time since the 1920s. Automation, globalization, union busting, and legalized financial abuse have drained middle-class purchasing power and stymied upward mobility. Health care and public education are in critical decline. Most of us have been left behind, while Romney and his cohorts pursue a never-ending quest for more money...and the political power to cut their taxes even further.
The Occupy Movement has set the stage for a presidential general election properly centering around economic inequality. President Obama zeroed in on this with an inspiring, major speech at Osawatomie, Kansas, on Dec. 6, in which he rejected continuance of "you're on your own" economics and low tax rates for the wealthy...and gave a positive plug for Marvin Windows. His economic program moves us in the right direction. (See WhiteHouse.gov.)
Among many additional resources and ideas we can build on, Bill Moyers is back with an excellent new series on PBS which digs deeply into this pivotal issue – at BillMoyers.com. And contract.rebuildthedream.com offers a comprehensive grassroots guide.
If we join together in full and open recognition of the dilemma we face, and if we energetically work to correct it, we can perform invaluable service to our country and the generations to come.
Marshall McComb
Baker City, Ore.
President Is A Big Part Of The Problem
To The Record-Courier:
President Obama is hardly the poster child for income inequality that Marshall McComb makes him out to be. As an avid practitioner of crony capitalism, the president is a big part of the problem. In 2008, Wall Street donated far more generously to his election campaign than they did to Senator McCain’s, and they have been cashing in their chips ever since. Just count how many former Wall Street executives are part of the president’s administration.
Besides, the issue in this year’s election is not going to change to income inequality; it will remain massive overspending by the Federal Government. For years, Washington D. C. has been the home of spendthrifts, but in 2009, the money spigots were turned on full blast. We are well on a course where we add another trillion dollars to the national debt every year or two.
So in November, voters will decide: do we continue on the present course until our financial situation resembles that of Greece, or do we begin to apply a little financial discipline to our Federal Government?
Pete Sundin
Baker City, Ore.
Excessive School Contingency Funds Leave Employees And Staff Unfunded
To The Record-Courier:
I unequivocally condemn the behavior of Lynne Burroughs, including her fictitious and immature letter to the editor on Jan. 18 which was nothing more than a mendacious personal attack. Coming from a “Drama” instructor and currently a card carrying member of the teachers union, I was not surprised. I will continue to stand and engage with officials like Lynne Burroughs as David did Goliath.
Moving on to the issues, While researching the district’s frivolous spending on new tech toys, I found misappropriated funds in the 2011-2012 budget. As I looked deeper under the carpet, Contingency funds caught my eye adding up to million plus dollars. So the district increased numerous amounts of funds in different accounts including these Contingency funds. Then they increased, and funded different accounts on the budget and left the employees and staff unfunded. The district then cried wolf, stating that they would have to cut over 15 plus positions if the tax bond did not pass. I find it fascinating that a larger district, like the La Grande school district only has $366,000 in Contingency funds. These Contingency funds are for emergencies and rainy days, and are unaccountable and can lead to bridges to nowhere.
I find the 2011/2012 budget irresponsible, as well as this district and board for passing and lobbying for a tax bond, and putting the school staff on the front line. Seeing first hand on how tax payer’s money is spent, it is clear to me that the district is not the best steward of the tax payer’s money. I look forward to working on a budget that represents the community along with providing a quality education, which the 2011/2012 budget does not.
I also will be exploring a possible recall of fellow board members who do not represent the best interests of the community and our students. We cannot afford to continue the failed policies of this school district.
"I don't pretend to be a man of the people. But I do try to be a man for the people."
Kyle Knight, 5J School District Board Member
Baker City
Most Wanted Project Successful
To The Record-Courier:
We are coming up on a year of running the Baker County Most Wanted in the newspapers and I just wanted to share a bit of the success we have had. Since starting in mid February of 2011, we have apprehended 15 offenders that have absconded supervision, thanks to your help.
Some of these offenders were on abscond a very long time prior to being caught. Some turned themselves in after seeing their picture in the paper. Citizens who read the paper have made calls, aiding us in apprehension. Family members have called or emailed to let us know the location of the offenders. Some of the offenders have continued their poor behavior/choices and continue to fail to abide by the conditions of supervision, some have been sentenced to prison, but others have changed their behavior and are now in compliance.
All in all, it has been a great project and thank you for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated!
Here is a list of the apprehended abscond offenders that were "featured" in the newspapers:
Kevin Treanor, apprehended 2/18/11
Brandon Griffith, apprehended 6/29/11
Joshua Foote, apprehended 3/22/11
Greg Webber, apprehended 4/22/11
Tiffany Sanders, apprehended 7/30/11
Steven McBride, apprehended 8/15/11
Ryan Culley, apprehended 5/23/11
Timothy Holeman, apprehended 6/11/11
Eric Cavyell, apprehended 7/13/11
Tyler Hunt, apprehended 7/21/11
Paul Heller, apprehended 1/11/12
James Blitch, apprehended 10/29/11
Joshua Crawford, apprehended 11/23/11
Joey Gill, apprehended 1/19/12
William Rachau, Jr., apprehended 1/11/12
Again, thank you very much!
Lieutenant Will Benson
Parole/Probation Supervisor
Baker County Sheriff's Office
Parole and Probation Division
Baker City, Ore.
Cruise Ship Safety Needs To Be Evaluated
To The Record-Courier:
As a former naval officer; officer-of-the deck underway, independent and formation steaming; and qualified marine navigator and instructor, I have questions concerning the grounding of the cruise ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy.
Was the captain on the bridge exercising control of the ship? If so, why was the ship so close to the rocks? If not, who was on the bridge conning the ship? What were their qualifications? Was there a maritime pilot on the bridge? The most dangerous period in peacetime for a ship underway is when it is leaving and entering port or traversing in close proximity to land. This is when you have to be on full alert.
Why did the Costa Concordia only hold emergency evacuation drills once every fifteen days? During a 15-day period the ship would normally visit a number of ports and embark new passengers. A drill should be held prior to leaving every port.
The maritime industry should evaluate the viability of lifeboat systems which fail when a ship takes on a significant list that makes it very difficult or impossible to launch lifeboats.
More attention must be paid to the safety of passengers and crew.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
|
|
|
