Our Readers' Views October 29

Like any road project, it takes time. But I’ll be the first to say how grateful I am of the excellent job the crew did on our new Interstate 5 interchange at 219th Street west of Battle Ground. The entrances are well marked and the landscaping is very appealing. It took a lot of traffic congestion away from motorists clamoring to the 179th Street entrance.

Glenn Alan Pierce
Battle Ground

Research highlights the critical importance of a child’s earliest years in shaping future social, emotional, physical and mental health, as well as academic achievement. When families with young children need services that are not available, or when access to those services is prohibitive, our community is impacted.

As director of Clark County’s early learning coalition, Support for Early Learning & Families, I urge Clark County commissioners to continue to fund Clark County Public Health Parent and Child Services so that vital services for families may continue. Should it become necessary to transfer these services out of the health department, every effort should be made to ensure that families have access to high-quality services without disruption.

Supporting the health and well-being of our community’s young children so they will be ready for success in school and life is a responsibility we all share.

Jennifer Gallagher
Vancouver

I can’t believe there’s a little slice of heaven practically in my backyard. On returning from walking our dog the other day, my husband expressed surprise over a new area he discovered. Not far from an old trail, he found an opening in a newly installed fence, which led into a beautiful, naturally kept green space. Trails switch backed through the area showing off the awesome natural growth. With all the new ugly subdivisions sprouting up, this was truly and literally a breath of fresh air.

I understand the property owners saved the land and Clark County then developed this oasis, Tenny Creek Neighborhood Park, so tastefully done — truly a “little slice of heaven” on Northeast 88th Street between Northeast 30th and 32nd avenues in Hazel Dell. Hopefully, it will stay this way.

Jacki Unger
Vancouver

Last summer, I lived in Germany for about a month. I learned about its citizens’ everyday life and culture. One aspect which really stood out was their bottle-recycling efforts. Families recycled bottles and received nearly a dollar in return. Clearly they took this seriously. I thought it was a brilliant idea to give a significant reward for serious recycling. Why have I not seen this in America?

Speaking of good ideas, I have seen reusable bags in grocery stores. This makes me wonder if we will adopt a reusable bag strategy just as Germany adopted a bottle-recycling strategy. We would be more inclined to make an effort if there would be a significant reward in return, such as saving a quarter per bag we “purchased.” Nevertheless, it takes a whole community to make a difference. In Germany bottle recycling is part of a culture. In America recycling has to become part of our culture, too.

Rachael Baker
Vancouver

It would be a sad day on Nov. 4 for the U.S. if all the power went to one party or the other. It is through the election process that the people retain control. To the extent that we cast our vote without resorting to conscience, we surrender our power to the party apparatus, to lobbyists and big money.

Conscience can help us vote for the best person for the job. It is the American people who should really be winning by holding candidates responsible to the people who elected them.

We need to get the immensely obscene amount of money out of the campaigns. It appears that the media, owned by fewer and fewer people, exercises an unfair amount of influence, but that can cut both ways. As long as media are fairly serving the public interest, that should serve the greater good. May we vote with an educated conscience.

Alvin Fischer
Vancouver

Once again, we approach another presidential election and once again, we will elect a president using an antiquated system. The Electoral College is not only outdated it is downright discriminatory. If you are a Republican in a traditional “blue” state like California, New York or Hawaii, your vote for president simply doesn’t count. Conversely, if you are a Democrat in a “red” state like Arizona or Texas, your vote doesn’t count either. It doesn’t matter if a state votes 51 percent to 49 percent for a particular candidate, in all but two states the votes in the 49 percent will not count in this ridiculous winner-take-all system.

In national elections, individual states shouldn’t even be involved in the process. Why should certain states like Pennsylvania and Ohio have any more say in the election than any other state? When are we going to hold national elections based on “one person, one vote” and put the Electoral College in mothballs where it belongs?

Mitch Moffett
Camas

Any comparison of Teddy Roosevelt and Sarah Palin, suggesting she is equally qualified because they had both served as a state governor for two years, is lacking. Palin was also mayor of a tiny town which she left in big debt. Roosevelt served as police commissioner of New York City, a U.S. Civil Service commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, colonel of the Rough Riders and more. Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Palin speaks loudly when given prepared talking points. She still refuses to give real interviews yet John McCain says she is ready to be president. Apparently she isn’t even ready to meet the press.

Karen Huddleston
Woodland

How great is the Sarah Palin factor? Huge, in the view of us evangelical Christians who may well clinch the election for the GOP. She mirrors our walk and talk.

And don’t dismiss the “female factor.”

Chuck Manning
Vancouver

John McCain criticizes Barack Obama for trying to socialize American society. In the Oct. 24 story, “Clinton: ‘We all blew it’ on issue of global food,” President Clinton, speaking to the U.N., is pushing for such an effort globally to help starving countries with help from prosperous countries.

Isn’t that “spreading the wealth?”

Sam Osaki
Vancouver