Our readers' views Nov. 7

Reading the Nov. 2 story “A growing problem,” I take exception to characterizing the redesign of 18th Street that significantly damages Joe Beaudoin’s farming property as “progress.”

Failure to account for and mitigate this damage is not an advancement but rather a sacrifice, and, tragically, one that Vancouver and Clark County have been all too willing to undertake.

In this case, road planning bureaucrats have trumped common sense and a community asset in the name of marginal convenience.

Steve Tubbs
Vancouver

By 1994, the state of mind of those in the financial community was in such hubris that they felt they should be free of any risk.

The result was the creation of the “credit default swap,” which “made it possible for banks to get their credit risk off their books and into nonfinancial institutions like insurance companies and pension funds.” (Terri Duhon, Oct. 16 Newsweek).

A trusting public got taken to the cleaners when “mortgage brokers, securitizers, derivatives makers, and credit raters all got paid for making transactions happen, not for making good loans.” (Justin Fox, Oct. 27 Fortune Magazine).

In a democracy, it’s the same government officials who unwittingly allowed this to happen who are called upon to clean up the mess.

But a burned public is launching a weaponless revolution, refusing to ratify government efforts by decimating the stock market, and demanding to be treated right. Hopefully a just solution will be found.

Gene Dombrowski
Vancouver

Regarding the Boeing union settlement, once upon a time unions were important.

That was a long time ago.

When a union thinks it has the “right” to demand monetary considerations from the profitability of a company, it is ridiculous.

Any reward to employees should be based on merit performance. A corporation is brought about by the risk takers, called stockholders. If the union members want part of the profits, then buy stock in the company.

And the unions are just as baffled as to why the jobs are going overseas. I will give the unions a hint: It is called inappropriate greed.

Does the auto industry situation help you understand?

Robert Kerr
Vancouver

An Oct. 26 story reported, “Community Home Health expands personnel for Clark County.” I was diagnosed with a chronic immunity disorder in 1989. In the last five years I have progressed to require the services of places like Community Home Health to take care of my IVs.

Three months ago, I received services and was hospitalized three times for infections, which is common.

After the third hospitalization, I was informed by Home Health that after end-of-year Medicare/Medicaid reviews, I was too “sick” for the agency to carry.

I was devastated.

If it weren’t for my doctor, I would have been referred to a nursing home, which would be more costly. I live with my nephew and his wife, who are my caregivers and have been loving and supportive.

My wish is to spend my life at home, but that’s in danger if agencies like Home Health cannot keep Medicare/Medicaid cases like mine.

Carla M. Hover-Colby
Vancouver

Every year, residents choose to allow themselves to be assaulted by the craziness that we have come to know as the Fourth of July celebration with its requisite firework sales in multiple booths across the county.

I no longer can travel anywhere during these “crazy” days.

I have a beautiful yard with extensive landscaping. I feel it necessary to stay home and spray water onto my plants and trees so that they will be somewhat immune to the conflagration that could result from an errant firecracker.

People who have an investment in their yards and houses have to be vigilant against less responsible people. Firecrackers land on roofs, fences, landscaping, vehicles, etc., causing great financial suffering.

It’s hard to protect oneself from all the days of the Fourth of July celebration.

Please, let’s dispense with the sale of fireworks and help the community to find other ways to celebrate this wonderful American holiday.

Marlice A. Bryant
Vancouver

Something is happening in the communities within our Columbia River Gorge.

Communities on both sides of the river are raising concerns about the negative impacts from a proposed casino in my town of Cascade Locks. In the 10 years that people have been debating this casino, there hasn’t been such a resounding call of concern and list of possible negative impacts.

Letters have been issued by Washougal, Stevenson, White Salmon, Bingen, Mosier, Hood River and Wasco County. Independently drawn up, these letters cite potential problems including the strain on emergency response, affordable housing, the increase of gambling addiction within our communities, and the pollution load on the Scenic Area.

These letters send a strong message to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that a Gorge casino will have detrimental effects on surrounding communities and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Be sure your voice is heard. Let’s hope Washington, D.C., listens.

Katelin Stuart
Cascade Locks, Ore.

It is tempting to greatly celebrate the election of Barack Obama, but one is sobered by the huge problems the country faces: the deep divisions in our society, our diminished world standing, the increasingly huge gap between our rich and poor, and the dangers of global warming, to name a few.

As a 72-year-old deeply concerned about the world in which my children and grandchildren are growing up, I especially applaud the younger generation.

Many of them worked very hard to elect Obama and I have every confidence that they will continue in the real hard work ahead.

From my experience, they transcend many of the divisions that have haunted us as a nation. They are my “audacity of hope” for the future of the country I love.

Norm Luther
Underwood