LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thursday, August 21, 2003 8:39 AM PDT
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E-mail this articleEditorial writer is misinformed
I am a union carpenter from Pennsylvania. I'm sorry to see the misinformation you're under to write your Aug. 15 editorial about the absence of a right-to-work law hindering the state of Washington.
Many studies have shown that those states which have adopted right-to-work laws have experienced more delays and problems (an unskilled labor force working slowly and with costly mistakes). And the laws do not reduce the amount of the bids. (I think it's assumed that instead of paying labor, owners are only increasing profits.)
Workers who are not paid standard wages are spending less in the local economy, the effects of which trickle up and down. This eventually results in less construction and less taxes collected from wages, which could be used to strengthen the local economy.
It also seems to come across from that editorial that the writer still has the old opinion about unions being aggressive, destructive and controlling.
Unions today, especially the Carpenters' Union, realize that times change and unions need to change with it. The carpenters are making impressive steps in that direction.
Mary Fedorchak
Midland, Penn.
Enemy among us
Why is it that every time there is a mention of a problem with oil supplies in some obscure place that has nothing to do with the United States of America, our gas price go up, usually the very next day?
I think our government is so busy sticking its nose into the problems of other countries, it fails to see the enemy in our midst.
Large oil companies are raping the consumer in this country, and our government turns a blind eye. It may be because people at the highest level of our government have a vested interest in oil company profits.
I have empathy for young people working at service jobs at minimum wage trying to get to work. It is a sad, sad commentary on what is ruining this country.
PG --- power and greed.
Lorraine Wheatley
Castle Rock
Mr. Rogers taught tolerance
Michael Stone's Aug. 13 commentary is typical of religious extremists. They all think that anything they disagree with or don't like is wrong or sinful.
Just because you disapprove or disagree with something does not make you or your way right. The Bible, which Stone likes to quote, teaches tolerance. It also includes a verse, apparently overlooked by Stone, which says, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Stone also inferred that the late Mr. Rogers spoke out against homosexuality. Again, in actuality, Mr. Rogers taught tolerance, as does Sesame Street.
Everyone has a right to an opinion, but differing opinions do not always distinguish right from wrong.
I may not agree with an individual's sexual preference, religious belief or political affiliation. But neither I, the president, the pope, the Supreme Court nor Stone has any right to condemn anyone who has views or practices differing from our own.
Stephen S. Whitney
Longview
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