UAs would be appropriate
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 12:35 AM PST
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E-mail this articleJan. 7 Letters to the Editor
UAs would be appropriate
Forgive me for thinking this way, but it would not bother me a bit for the state to give UAs to people on welfare, medical coupons and food stamps. It’s the working folks’ tax dollars supporting those programs.
My employer does not seem to think it’s an infringement on my rights to have random UAs to collect my paycheck, so why should it be different for them to collect their paychecks? C’mon, let’s face it, this is treated like a paycheck.
Now if they have children and they test positive for a non-prescribed med or illegal narcotic, they are either getting too much money or are neglecting the children and should have them removed, if the latter, or have the funds taken away, if the former. If they are under a doctor’s care, whatever meds they are on will have a prescription and be noted in their file. No reason to be afraid of the big bad government.
Arthur Colquhun
Kelso
Job wasn’t done
I would love to mention the commendable job Columbia County and the county road department did in clearing the roads during our recent “snowy period,” especially in the Alston Mayger area.
However, since they didn’t, I won’t.
Rick Nelson
Rainier
Shortsighted layoffs
Your recent article on the layoffs of 18 county employees cannot be ignored for exactly what it is, shortsighted and business-as-usual poor management by our commissioners. They have no qualms about sacrificing those around them while at the same time enhancing their own positions at the public trough with your money.
I find it disgusting and reprehensible that they would accept a fat raise while eliminating existing jobs instead of, as this writer suggested, getting creative, innovative and asking those around them for some help in these hard times and setting the example by good leadership, which apparently, they totally lack. Commissioner Johnson told this writer that it would be too hard to ask for concessions from all county employees due to the number of unions involved.
It might be too hard for her, but if you don’t ask you don’t get. As a group, in my opinion, they should have asked for a 5 percent reduction in all departments salaries and wages after refusing their raise and being the first to give back an additional 5 percent as an example. As a group, they have damaged their credibility beyond repair, and those that work under them should beware and observe typical politicians in action and wonder who is next?
Bill White
Kalama
Writer has distorted view
Jim Hill (Dec. 30 letter) has a distorted view of the role of government and the beliefs of the Republican Party.
The representatives and senators in Congress who voted not to spend public tax money to bail out a mismanaged private company with a greedy union were fulfilling their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution of these United States. Can Hill show anyone exactly where in the Constitution it allows the government to get involved in private companies?
What does he have to say to the Democrats who also voted not to spend my tax money to artificially bail out the top three auto makers? If they weren’t able to make a profit last year, what gives anyone the belief they will make a profit next year. If they do go bankrupt what happens to all our tax money we gave them.
Should a private company not make a profit on a product it produces, it should go out of business. The company should not be given my tax money on the hopes that at some time it will become competitive. If we go down this slippery slope, where do we stop? We are spending money our grandchildren’s children will attempt to pay back.
William Schumacher
Castle Rock
A valuable asset
I feel regret for the local communities who are being deprived of the use of their public libraries due to budget restraints. Cuts in staffing and hours mean less than optimum service to the patrons.
Libraries are such a valuable asset. Studies have shown that in tough economic times people turn to their libraries for resources of all sorts to assist them with their daily problems, questions, employment pursuits and the knowledge to make good choices financially so to whether the storm. It’s very sad to see these valuable tools being withheld for lack of money.
It seems that the very thing that people need at times like these is being denied them through no fault of their own. I have no answers or solutions. But I do wish that some of our brighter economists would offer some ideas about getting out of this mess we’re in.
Sally Abeyta
Clatskanie
Parties are a danger
I’m getting to believe that the Republican and Democratic parties have become a danger to the American people and our way of life. Obtaining control and power seems to be their goal.
Robert Duncan, Republican National Committee chairman, stated on the National Press Club that his main goal is now to “disrupt the Obama presidency.” It was not to bring back jobs and manufacturing or to help keep people in their homes, I wonder how many good Republicans will follow his goal.
David Carlstrom
Kelso
A wonderful thank-you
What a wonderful thank-you letter from Tina Letteer (Jan. 4). The Salvation Army is so proud of the help given by the people that “adopt” a tree at Christmas time and make children happy. Also great to know the appreciation of parents. Thank you, Tina, for the thank-you note.
You can find more about the Salvation Army at church services each Sunday at 11 a.m. held in the Chapel.
I would like to make note here that Phyllis Makinster’s note (Jan. 5) has nailed it down about our governor and the raises in pay given to the state’s high executives. It is very questionable that they deserve it. The governor has donated her fat raise to charity. This will give her a very sizable deduction on federal income taxes, so now she makes a pile looking like a good Samaritan.
D.E. McWain Sr.
Longview
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