Support I-1000
Sunday, November 2, 2008 8:32 AM PST
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E-mail this articleNov. 2 Letters to the Editor
Support I-1000
I am very pleased to see I-1000 on the ballot. I have wondered why it took so long to get there. We now have ample evidence from our neighboring state, Oregon, that this will work as intended. It is a way to give people peace of mind that they will not have to bear unreasonable suffering if they do not want to.
The scare tactics by opponents have not been borne out. There has been no influx of people from other states to avail themselves of this law and it has been used sparingly. It is now evident that a perhaps unforeseen benefit derives to those who get the prescription but never use it. It adds to their quality of life to know that they themselves have the means to end their suffering if it becomes unbearable.
For me, the biggest part is personal choice. It is extremely offensive to me to think that the government wants to tell me how I can die. If that isn’t an infringement of my civil rights, what is it?
A Democrat, former Gov. Booth Gardner, got the ball rolling on this. One would hope his party supports him. As for Republicans, who claim to be the party of less government intrusion into our lives, a “yes” vote should be a no-brainer. Please help expand personal freedom with a yes vote on I-1000.
Carl Torgerson
Longview
Renew 911 levy
We have been lucky, pretty darn lucky, over 49 years and have only four or five emergency calls: one death (my father’s), one fire (chimney too hot), two auto mishaps and a bunch of bee stings. We only called 911 once, but they were there and we got that fire out and saved the old farm house.
Oh, I forgot the most impressive response was to aid my 80-year-old mom when she had a severe stroke on New Year’s Eve in ‘88. The EMTs were here in about 10 minutes. 911 is invaluable — medical emergency, fire, accident, heart attack, bleeding, a car crash. If you’ve heard one, you know the sound unmistakable — scary, need 911.
We need to renew the 29-cents-per-$1,000 levy for another five years on your ballot. Please continue supporting this vital service. Just think how important it could be to you and everyone you hold dear. A cool, qualified person is answering your 911 call; that service deserves our support.
John G. Curtis
Rainier
Obama is a socialist
I was driving around Sunday and was amazed at all of the Obama signs still in yards. I didn’t know there were that many people that supported socialism in our area.
Yes, Barack Obama is a socialist who wants to redistribute wealth — his word, by the way. For you who don’t understand, he wants to take money you have earned that he thinks you don’t deserve and give it to someone he thinks deserves it but didn’t earn it.
Obama gave an interview some years ago where he said our Constitution is flawed. The arrogance of this man has no boundaries. How can he swear to uphold a Constitution he doesn’t believe in. He is a menace to a free society that does not belong in the White House at all, much less one with control of the Congress.
I am casting my vote for McCain/Palin and I’m praying for all other bitter clingers to vote against Barack with me.
Dale Hirsch
Longview
Obama’s wrong for America
Who is he? Too bad we must ask these questions so close to election. But, the media (print and television) have had a love fest with Obama since day one. They’ve short changed the American public through their blatant partisanship.
Barack Obama believes it’s our patriotic duty to pay more taxes ... “spread the wealth.” This country was founded on capitalism, not socialism or Marxism. Any man or woman, based on the level of true desire and drive to succeed, can succeed. I worry about Obama’s “true agenda.” He has no meaningful experience. Who will be his closest advisors (his closet is full of radical left-wing loons). I worry about Democrats holding majority in both the House and Senate and able to pursue their liberal, secular, progressive agendas without impediment.
I’m worried that two or three Supreme Court justices could retire and about the judges Obama would nominate. These judges are appointed for life. When asked, he said he would look for judges that would show empathy. John McCain said he would look for judges that would make decisions based on our Constitution and federal laws, not personal preferences, or pressure from special interest groups. Their job is to interpret law, not legislate. Vote McCain.
Sherri Oliver
Kelso
Time for a change, ‘you betcha’
Is your 401(k) decreasing, college funds fading, lost your job or can’t find work? Here we are two days before the presidential election and the Republican Party, or as some say, GOP, is down to its last-minute attacks on the Democrats. They have reverted to the same tactics they always use when they are losing, which is to try and scare voters and slander their opponent.
John McCain has no policy difference from failed policies of the last eight years under George Bush. He voted 95 percent with Bush and 90 percent with the Republican Party, but yet claims to be a maverick who reaches across the aisle.
I believe he chose Sarah Palin as a running mate not because she has a clue as to how to run a country, but rather because he is trying to solicit votes from women.
Now they are down to their latest dirty tactic in Virginia with flyers saying Republicans vote on Tuesday and Democrats vote on Wednesday. God help the shrinking middle class if they win.
The Republicans are saying that if Barack Obama is elected, our jobs will start being outsourced to Mexico and overseas, but it’s a little too late for that, because big business is already doing that under the current Bush administration.
James Skibba
Longview
Out of signs!
Recently, another demolished McCain/Palin sign in my yard! This makes number four.
As much as I would love to return the favor and smash all the Obama signs I see, I will refrain and keep my Republican cool.
Gail Munson
Longview
Pie in the sky
We have a choice of Barack Obama or John McCain for president, and they are offering us a solution to economic woes in the form of pie in the sky — one being blackberry the other blueberry, very close to same.
We spend $10 billion a month on the war in Iraq. Much more is paid on foreign oil to OPEC countries each month. Let’s not forget our easy spending on made-in-China merchandise, in which they buy our national debt with their profit.
Our legislators have given another 700 billion to the banks and indirectly to Wall Street who is responsible for our present financial situation.
If we don’t run out of ink and paper at the mints, we should be OK; I don’t think so. The present and past policy is more of the same. What we need is a reality check. Reduce our personal credit debt, and also government spending. Credit card debt is the highest level in history, along with the national debt. Lots of this debt is the result of our over-inflated real estate market.
This will result in lost jobs and reduce lifestyles. We will have to suffer through some very difficult times to recover from the decades of financial abuse of credit.
The change that is coming will be far different from what these two candidates are offering.
Ed Hayslip
Rainier
What about working class?
I am not usually into politics or what it even stands for. But recently I have found myself reasoning with both of our presidential parties — finding good with both sides. Quite frankly, I’m not sure as to which one I want to lead us into a better life.
All I know is that we need to fix this economy, and fast. However, I am not naive. We didn’t create this economic upheaval overnight, and it’s not going to be fixed overnight, either. All I know, is that I’m a single mother raising two boys. It’s getting expensive to get the things we need for just day-to-day living.
I don’t know about the issues at hand for our country other than the oil crisis or the economic crisis. The press isn’t real helpful in this area. They only give us the big news issues. Every party is always talking about the “middle class” and what they can do to help them. Furthermore, they feel that the upper-class people have had enough tax breaks to just about gag a maggot.
How about the lower class? No one ever talks about us and what they’ll do to help us. I work, and very hard. I barely scrape by from paycheck to paycheck. I receive absolutely no help from the government, not even medical. Where’s the candidate that can help us?
Anne Bozarth
Longview
Spreading the wealth
During the final presidential debate, John McCain touched on an issue near and dear to my heart: Spreading the wealth. Barack Obama’s tax plan, advertised as helping the middle class, is actually a hand out to those who pay no taxes. Under the plan, the broad, tax-paying middle class will get relief of about $200 or much less. Families who have freedom from taxes to begin with will get thousands in the form of a “tax refund.” The concept is actually communistic, rather than capitalistic.
I believe in helping those who have been hit with undeserved, catastrophic financial pitfalls, but to “refund” one to three thousand dollars to parents who’ve not paid a dime in taxes to begin with is unfair. These families often receive free medical care, children get free or reduced-cost meals at school, many qualify for food stamps and many get child-care at no cost. That’s a lot and may not be enough, but haven’t the adults made their choices? Some poor choices warrant hardship, but others are thought out, and an acceptance of the financial consequences should be a given.
I would rather do without my inconsequential tax benefit and require the government to pay for the costs of 9/11 or the two wars we are fighting.
Eileen A. Taylor
Kelso
Support fire district levy
I’d like to encourage support for the Cowlitz County Fire Protection District No. 6 levy lid lift. It’s a treat to encounter an organization which has been very economical with our tax dollars, and which has a realistic plan and budget that’s all about service.
If you’re in doubt, take time to visit the station and talk to one of them, they’ll show you how much they’ve done with just a little, and why they need this measure. Nothing could be more important than a fire department response when you need it. I know this group will come as fast as they can if I have to call, I just want to make sure they have what they need to help me.
Pat Dick
Castle Rock
Lady from Alaska could help
I am reluctant to write or say anything concerning politics, as I am not the best informed or read. However, I have been around for over 80 years and have seen lots of change and happenings in the years past. I have worked 40 years in power production. I feel that the thing that has hurt the economy most is the deregulation of Hedge Funds and unbridled cost of fuel.
In 2005 when the price of a gallon of gasoline rose above $2 a gallon, I parked my motor home and refused to drive it saying all along the cost of gas is too much. Everyone knows what has ensued. We have been given endless numbers of reasons for the rise and fall of the price of gasoline. I feel it belongs below two dollars a gallon, to gouge is criminal in my opinion. The cost to produce a barrel of oil in Saudi Arabia is $4 to $5.
I feel that our president, senators and representatives have failed us. A large number of those persons are afraid to increase oil production for fear of global warming scare.
We definitely need more alternative sources of energy and wiser use of what we have and better government control. I feel the lady from Alaska with all of her shortcomings could do as much as anyone to improve the fuel problem.
Del Smith
Longview
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