More taxes will delay recovery
When it comes to raising local, state and federal taxes, the U.S. has a historical example to follow, and that is Herbert Hoover. Hoover raised taxes to address his economic woes, which resulted in the Depression. Governments do not raise taxes during a recession; it only causes more unemployment and reduced revenue for the governments.
It seems we have a couple of Clark County commissioners who don’t understand the lessons from the Hoover era. Just because the economy is growing again is not a reason to raise taxes. Each dollar that has to be directed to paying this new tax will delay companies from hiring again.
When it comes election time, I am personally going to make sure that I do not vote for any politicians who support raising taxes because they are demonstrating they don’t have the basic economic understanding of the system and therefore dangerous to all citizens.
Don Becker
Vancouver
Reinstate funds to go after cheaters
I can’t believe that Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to increase taxes. Again we bring up the fact that Washington residents who cheat and keep their Oregon driver’s licenses do not pay any sales tax. So when are we going to eliminate this loophole?
Then we also have the license plate cheaters. On a street near my house we have a 10-block row with more than 10 cars with out-of-state plates that have been there for three months to more than a year. So how many more are there around Clark County and the rest of the state?
The state police say they can do nothing about it as they do not have the funding. Again thanks go to our elected officials for cutting the funding for the WSP revenue-making program.
Paul E. Nelson
Hazel Dell
Develop identity that stands alone
A number of years ago, I was returning to Vancouver from Seattle by train. After I checked my baggage, I happened to look at my claim check and discovered that it said Vancouver, B.C. I grew up in and near Seattle and I always thought of B.C. first when I heard the word “Vancouver.” I think people just about everywhere think of Canada first when Vancouver is mentioned.
Our Vancouver would benefit by changing its name to Fort Vancouver to develop a stronger identity separate from a major Canadian city. We could advertise and promote our city as Fort Vancouver, a heritage city, to encourage and expand tourism based on our historic reserve, including the replica of the fort our city would be named after, and this area’s role in Washington state history.
Philip S. Parker
Vancouver
Obstacles don’t deter Cheney
Were it not for his sharp edges, I would have always mistaken Dick Cheney for the kindly but myopic Mr. Magoo. Despite all their merry pratfalls, both gentlemen remained highly self-assured and unfailingly optimistic about their capabilities.
It is this sublime quality that most distinguished them from their peers and made them so compelling to watch. That indomitable certitude always prevailed when obstacles were thrust before them, both men leaving a similar mark on history.
Gerald R. Johnson
Washougal
Adopt isolationist policy
Countries have a tendency to forget or ignore the lessons of history. The United States soon forgot the lack of preparedness at Pearl Harbor and history repeated itself in New York City during 9/11.
The 19th century witnessed British army involvement in Afghanistan and the Duke of Wellington is alleged to have said, “It is easy to get into Afghanistan. The problem is getting out again.” The British army retreat from Kabul began in 1842 with about 17,000 officers and men, of which one man survived to reach Jellalabad. Lady Elizabeth Butler’s painting portrays “The Remnants of An Army” with one lone soldier. The following is quoted from Rudyard Kipling’s “The Young British Soldier”: “When you’re wounded and left of Afghanistan’s plains, An’ the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle an’ blow out your brains, An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.”
Why can’t the United States adopt an isolationist ideology calling for the protection and preparation of our country exclusively? A priority should be established for commitment of our armed forces in foreign countries. Assistance should only be provided to prevent genocide or provide humanitarian aid to countries in dire need.
Thomas E. Dent Sr.
Vancouver
Secondhand smoke can kill pets, too
People love their dogs. They want their dogs to live a long, healthy life. So why then do I see so many people driving with their windows rolled up with their beloved dog inside inhaling their owner’s secondhand smoke?
Summer is over, most days the weather allows people to take their dogs with them on errands. The dogs love to go but cannot tell you that their eyes burn, their lungs hurt every time you smoke with them in the car, or when you smoke in the house, too. A window cracked doesn’t make it better.
People die from secondhand smoke, so do animals. Heart disease, lung disease and cancer kill your pets. If you want to kill yourself with cigarettes that is your choice, but don’t kill your innocent pet at the same time. Don’t smoke with your dog in the car. If your pets live indoors, as pets should, smoke outside only.
Your pets love you. Love them back by taking proper care of them. Give them healthy food, clean water, a warm spot indoors to sleep, exercise, lots of love and smoke-free air to breathe.
Your pets will thank you with their lives.
Judy Russell
Battle Ground
Don’t try to pay for past atrocities
A Dec. 9 story reported of the Obama administration proposing a “$3 billion deal to settle dispute with Indian tribes.” The story stated that these claims date back over 100 years ago. Does this bother anybody else?
It seems that President Obama thinks that we have a never-ending source of money to spend. I am not racist, nor have I ever been, but this is ridiculous. Native Americans already get money from the government, don’t have to follow federal law on their reservations, and yet they want more.
The story also stated that $1.4 billion will be distributed to 300,000 people. Are these the Indians who were alive to sign these treaties? No, they are all gone. If Congress approves this, you can bet the next step will be paying African-Americans for their ancestors being slaves. It has to stop.
What happened in the past to both races is horrible no doubt, but nobody living today went through that.
Eric Bjur
Ridgefield
