Our readers' views, Sept. 15

Respect private property

No wonder kids now have a roaring sense of entitlement and a mere whimper for a sense of responsibility. According to the Sept. 10 story, “Fire threatens apartments,” three kids apparently caused a fire in a field adjacent to the Cascade View apartments. But their actions were explained away by a sympathetic neighbor, Tammy Whitlow, who said, “They need to do something about that property.”

Shame on that evil property luring those kids in there with matches. Of course, the owner should be responsible for having such property. We might ask Whitlow just who is the “they” she says needs to do something. Certainly not the kids and of course not the parents, who may or may not have known their kids were on someone else’s property and were playing with fire.

Whatever happened to the premise that private property is just that? If property is not yours, stay off of it.

Susan Heaton
Vancouver

Shortfall in tapping tab fee

I would ask that the mayor and city council initiate some action on Vancouver residents’ behalf before they even think about raising the sales or property taxes again to make up deficits in the budget. We have all heard about the shortages affecting our police and fire departments, our schools and now transportation projects.

But there’s a fund just waiting to be tapped.

Some new Washingtonians believe that Vancouver is a bedroom community of Portland and it’s OK not to buy the Washington car tab or change their driver’s license. Maybe they just don’t realize that it isn’t Portland roads they drive on, fire or police departments that come when they need assistance, or a Portland education when they send their children to our schools. Washington residents who buy their new car in Oregon and then register it to an Oregon address probably don’t realize it’s much easier to include the tax on the new purchase loan than dish out a lump sum later when they’re caught.

Chris Yashkus
Vancouver

Reduce fireworks window

The majority of our residents do not have the mentality of a 10-year-old boy who revels in seeing things explode. Nonetheless the city has foisted days of insanity on its residents to maintain its revenue addiction via the fireworks stands. We can’t expect those addicted to make rational decisions; the city and county have failed us and the greater good.

Vancouver-Clark County is one of the few areas left in the country that allows dangerous fireworks to be exploded by anyone old enough to strike a match. Littered streets, extreme trauma to animals, injuries, property damage, sleepless nights and frayed nerves … all thanks to city/county leaders!

Now that the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust will no longer produce the Fourth of July display our elected leaders have the opportunity to finally do the right thing without the money addiction compromising judgment. Move to one day of safe and sane regulated fireworks use, which is still more than most civilized cities allow.

James Roberts
Vancouver

Attitudes embarrassing

I am absolutely disgusted by the huge settlement on behalf of the City of Vancouver’s Police Department. What a horrible commentary on our racial attitudes, incredible waste of our tax dollars, and an embarrassment to the Southwest Washington area.
This is 2008, not 1950.

Mary Goody
Cougar

Shift economic effects

The people of Vancouver, Clark County, Portland, and the metro area should be sharing proportional risk and cost in paying for the new Interstate 5 bridge. When the Glen Jackson Bridge was included in tolling because of inadequate I-5 toll revenues, the financing plan for the bridge became inequitable. Why?

By shifting most of the costs to tolling, all of the long-term economic burdens fall away from the local and state governments and onto mostly Clark County users to endure that which will be far out of proportion to the benefits to be gained. Real economic opportunity and job creation in Clark County is not likely when its economic potential drives south and into a toll booth to pay for 80 percent of a bridge. Destinies are for those who can afford them and Olympia should not be willing to seal ours with bad public policy.

Bob Martilla
Vancouver

Reclaim our government

For many middle-class Americans, the economy has definitely had an impact on our lives, and is anything but “fundamentally strong.” We have not seen those strong fundamentals translate into a robust standard of living. In their secure and privileged world it’s no wonder John McCain does not relate to the middle-class experience in a tough economy and see us as “whiners” living in a “mental recession.” McCain offers nothing different for the country. A McCain administration will be a continuation of the transfer of wealth; further driving the U.S. deeper into debt and the middle class into servile impotency as we carry the tax load.

We have two choices in November. We can continue the plutocratic plunge further down the road of fear and darkness, or we can choose to reclaim our government of, for, and by the people led by a President Obama.

Rich Raitano
La Center

Side against our enemies

Perhaps many voters in America are having a hard time deciding which presidential candidate to vote for. They really do not know who would make a better president.
They know what each one claims and beyond that they do not know much else. But there is one thing we all know for certain: America has enemies.

Here are some questions to help voters reach a decision. Who do you believe America’s enemies would prefer as president? Which candidate do you believe would be more resolute in dealing with an attack by America’s enemies? When you vote, are you siding with or against America’s enemies? Think about it.

Roland Meyer
Nevada City, Calif.