Sept. 5 Letters to the Editor

What about secure parking?

It was nice to read about volunteers at the railroad station to help travelers. However, the question I have is: We would like to come to Longview and take the train for a one- to five-day trip. What facilities are there for leaving our vehicle in a safe and locked-up place?

I’m sure we just can’t leave it on the street for safety’s sake. Any ideas?

Sherman Richmond

Ocean Park

Proposals lack legitimacy

The current debate on health care gives rise to many important issues that have direct bearing on whether we will continue to have a government based on the rule of law and continue to be a constitutional republic.

Constitutional legitimacy for the current course of actions discussed is based on arguments of sophistry that resort to tortured and illogical interpretations of the commerce clause and a disregard of the 9th and 10th amendments. In other words, there is no legitimacy to the current proposals.

To ban the manufacture and use of liquor in 1919, the people knew that an amendment granting specific power to the federal government was required. For federalized health care, we should require the same standard as that of prohibition to grant legitimacy to the current proposals. If we don’t do that, then we move further away from the rule of law. Consequences of this ideological shift are disastrous.

Arguments based on “everybody does it” or “isn’t this the same as that (other) transgression” or “my dog ate my copy of the U.S. Constitution” to justify an action are morally degenerate. Mother would not accept it from us, and we certainly should not accept it from our elected officials.

Arne Mortensen

Kelso

Be sure to vote

This election cycle is not one of excitement and interest to many. The issues, however, still rest unchanged and our potential for progress will only be diminished if we are not all involved.

Regardless whom you would choose to support in this election, please all stay involved and make a difference. Encourage all to participate in this wonderful, though sometimes flawed, democracy. Regardless of age or association, religion or lack thereof, let us stand united to create a better tomorrow. Our combined future rests by the efforts of each individual.

May we never lose sight of the power and value of our people. Please make sure you vote and are registered as well as those you know to do likewise. This is our city, our future and your vote. Vote. Cast it.

Ray Baker

Longview

We’re under common law

At the county meeting on septic tanks, the commissioners kept saying that this state statute was being forced on the county. The people were led to believe that we had to obey the statute because it was mandatory. I got up and said we, the people, became the sovereign.

I read that the Supreme Court ruled that municipalities cannot exert any acts of ownership and control over property that is not owned by them (see Palazzolo v. Rhode Island; code enforcement cannot restrict development of the man’s private swampland unless they lawfully acquire the land first.)

California law prohibits cities and counties from enforcing city or county codes and ordinances upon property that is not owned by the city or county, even if the property is within city limits. And I’ve read other court rulings. Then the county commissioner asked if the county has authority to go onto private property, and the fellow said the county government cannot go onto private property.

The law is not positive law. We are under the common law.

Robert Klinefelter

Longview