Our readers' views Jan. 3

In response to Jim Keithley’s Dec. 29 letter, “How much is too much?,” it is appalling to know that local Realtors are using fear tactics and transparent hype in a poor attempt to sideline much-needed water quality protections.

Keithley wrongly rants that state-required stormwater improvements are “extreme” and implies that they would ruin our community. If anything would be our ruin, it would be to listen to those who may have lobbied to help create the mortgage crisis that dealt a death blow to our economy.

Leading scientists, agencies, and even the Bush administration all agree that stormwater is a major source of pollution to our waterways. Controlling the flow of polluted stormwater is critical to saving our rivers, fish and drinking water. It’s time for the naysayers to come up with water quality solutions rather than whining that everyone is out to get them.

Leslie Zega

Vancouver

I was laid off from my job on Dec. 8. I immediately phoned the Washington state unemployment office in order to open my claim. I was on hold for 40 minutes three times and never got through. The next day it took 50 minutes on hold before my call was answered. I opened my claim and was instructed to file each week beginning with the following week.

I have attempted to both call and file online each day since and cannot get through. The automated messages now indicate that my claim has been closed because I “failed to file one or more weekly claims,” and that I potentially will not receive my rightful benefits due to my “failure to claim.”

Now I am without any source of income and can’t make my mortgage payment. I wonder how many honest hard-working families will go without food or heat or housing because of the state’s malfeasance.

Carrie A. Beveridge

Vancouver

The Snowball Express came through PDX on its way to Disneyland, loaded with youngsters of fallen soldiers. Thanks to members of the 142nd Fighter Wing and 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air Guard for their support Dec. 16. F-15s did a flyby of the McDonnell Douglas Super 80 in salute of these kids who have paid a tremendous price for the freedoms we enjoy.

For those who would say these kids’ parents died in vain for a cause promoted by one administration, I would remind them, as an American Airlines pilot who flies to India, England, Russia, China, and Japan, I know that no one has breached any U.S. cockpit carrying passengers since 9/11. That degree of protection paid for by our military is priceless. I can never put a value on being able to come home, walk in the door and be with my family.

If you count your blessings more often, material things fade in comparison.

John P. Brooks

Camas

A Dec. 20 letter, “Put party division aside,” from Secretary of State Sam Reed urged unity in the GOP. As long as we have so many RINOs (Republicans in name only), we will forever be watching the world go by from the sidelines.

When Republicans endorse turncoat Democrats against tried-and-true conservative GOP candidates and even form splinter groups such as “Mainstream Republicans” in an effort to out-lib Democrats, the Grand Old Party will be just old.

Reed wants the party to adhere to the middle. If they do that, they would have to move to the right. A middle-of-the-roader doesn’t think for himself and let’s the two extremes determine his position.

Reed refers to Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. Conspicuous by its absence was any reference to Ronald Reagan, while Dan Evans was mentioned. There’s a message there that speaks louder than anything else Reed had to say.

Bill Hughes

Vancouver

I remember well the snow and ice storm of 2004, when I still lived in Vancouver. I prepare my vehicles before a big event hits by changing antifreeze, installing snow tires, and carrying chains so I don’t have difficulty in the snow.

However, it seems that some people feel that they shouldn’t have to make any preparations. The proof is in the increasing number of road crews using salt for snow and ice removal.

As a former resident of Ohio, I know very well that salt is extremely corrosive. Anything made of metal, which includes not only your vehicles, but guard rails, road signs, streetlights, and bridges, will corrode when salt is used.

All it takes is a few harsh snow events like the one we just had, and continued use of salt will result in more frequent maintenance. The money will have to come from somewhere, which could result in higher taxes in some form.

Andrew T. Rickard

Longview

Why are we in the Vancouver area still paying a good 40 cents a gallon more for our gasoline? Are we getting gouged because of demand? Even with the state’s gas tax, why are we paying so much more for our gasoline?

Wyoming’s gas tax is 20 cents cheaper than Washington, yet you find gas there is 60 to 70 cents cheaper per gallon, as you do in small towns in Idaho that are even farther away from a refinery. So transportation would not be the issue, would it?

California has a 20 cent a gallon higher gas tax and their gas stations have the same price per gallon within pennies. Check out gasbuddy.com and see for yourself.

As we headed into a long New Year’s weekend, I found some stations have raised their gas prices while oil by the barrel dropped again in trading today.

Larry Jones

Camas

In his Dec. 27 column, “Government largesse keeps capitalism afloat,” Malcolm Berko said the three factors in the U.S. economy are the rich, the poor, and the government. That “Business activity cannot be sustained unless the rich get richer,” but, “in 2006, … the poor paid approximately $780 billion more to the rich for rent, food, cars, health care, tools, beer, etc., than they received for their labors.” About $320 billion of the difference was made up “from the rich and returned to the poor via welfare, Social Security programs and other subsidies,” thus creating a need for a patsy to account for the $460,000 billion difference. “And that designated patsy is the U.S. government.”

The poor and the rich are now in a state of stagnation due to job loss and excessive spending. This leaves the government, which will soon lose its ability to issue new Treasury bonds that make any sense economically.

What then? Time will tell.

Gene Dombrowski

Vancouver