Protest over tuition was warranted
After reading Clark College President Robert K. Knight’s Feb. 7 local view, “Community, technical colleges need support,” I was extremely moved by the statement that an investment in college students now will drive economic recovery in the future. I am a junior at Washington State University Vancouver, not far from Clark College, where budget cuts combined with tuition increases have been causing hardship to my fellow students and me.
This spring semester alone, our tuition went up 14 percent and is expected to rise another 15 percent this coming year. Many students were already struggling to pay for classes without these increases. Even for Washington residents like myself, tuition is simply too costly to afford without student loans, causing an increase in the student debt being accumulated.
I attended a walkout rally Feb. 4 in protest of tuition increases on campus, and it was great to see the support from the community for college students. Obtaining higher education has become an increasingly important aspect of achieving success in American society today. It’s nice to realize that people such as Knight share my sentiments; perhaps we can make an impact if we keep it up.
Kathleen Campbell
Vancouver
Laird’s light-rail column was off base
John Laird’s Jan. 24 opinion column — “Debating light rail? Think long term” — was short on fact and long on wishful thinking. His assumption that thinking long term will somehow change the economics of light rail borders on fantasy. If there is any doubt as to the financial black hole of light-rail projects, just read the study Laird references, http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/Centers/transportation/policybrief/08_Ennis_LightRail.pdf.
The Washington Policy Center study clearly shows that light rail is more costly than bus systems, would likely get a majority of its riders from the bus system; would only reduce automobile traffic by about 1 percent; and would serve less than 2 percent of the working public. It would also provide little or no economic or environmental advantage and actually costs more to operate on a per-rider basis than bus systems.
As to his comment about the discussion on light rail deteriorating to a shouting match, maybe that’s because residents of Clark County have already said they don’t want light rail and are tired of city leaders and newspaper people not listening to them.
Laird apparently also believes that light rail should be built for the sake of our grandchildren. Maybe that’s what he is teaching his grandchildren; I’m trying to each mine to be more fiscally responsible.
Eugene A. Foster
Vancouver
Feds should pay for bulk of new bridge
The new Interstate 5 Bridge will not belong to the mayor of Portland or the mayor of Vancouver.
The new bridge will not even belong to the people of Portland and Vancouver.
The new bridge will belong to the people of the United States of America.
The new bridge must be constructed to military specifications, because one of the responsibilities of a new bridge is the protection of our country. The heaviest Army transport truck, plus the load (tank or whatever) it transports, must be able to use all bridges and overpasses and underpasses. This is spelled out in federal law and is true for all bridges as part of the United States federal highway system.
So, who should pay for the new bridge? Well, the same people who built and paid for the I-205 bridge. (“A bridge without battles: Feds paid 90 percent of I-205 bridge’s $175 million construction price,” was reported in a May 4 Columbian story.)
So, 90 percent of all the money for the I-205 bridge was paid by the federal government. Hmm … I rest my case.
Light rail: Should Clark County people pay for this? That is another matter.
Richard LaValley
Vancouver
Meeting is sign of progress
A case can be made that, notwithstanding appearances, things are looking up in the realm of American governance.
Yes, hyper-partisanship of late seems to have dug its sharp spurs into the thick hide of the U.S. political beast. And yes, gridlock in D.C. is especially worrisome at a time of annual budgetary deficits in the trillions of dollars. The emergency besetting our undeniable clumsy ship of state could hardly be worse than it is now. War, economic decline and political hatred are on the march. All true.
Still President Barack Obama and his harshest GOP critics recently met face-to-face in an unlimited argument over the day’s political issues. They argued and they shouted, but at the same time they really did see that their partisan foes are not inhuman beasts. To my mind, this is progress.
It is also illustrative of the old adage that things can sometimes be at their best when they are at their worst.
Frank W. Goheen
Camas
Where to focus the blame?
Martin Hash’s final paragraph in his Feb. 9 letter, “Disdain of business worsens situation,” reads: “As an alternative to the name-calling and hand-wringing, if we do not like what a corporation is doing, rather than shaking our fists, let us hold the CEO personally accountable. Let us name names and focus our anger and resentment where it belongs — on irresponsible people not on lifeless institutions.”
Yes, Mr. Hash, and let us begin with the corporations that control the media.
Caroline Foley-Plumlee
Ridgefield
President is losing his charm
Still trying to convince yourself our current president is the same man you voted for? Sorry.
What did you think of his State of the Union address? Did you like his finger pointing? How long will you allow him to blame the previous administration before you hold him accountable?
He’s still talking about health care and green jobs. How’s that working for you? Meanwhile, I’m lending money to friends so they can make it back and forth to work — otherwise they’ll lose their jobs.
Has he saved your mortgage?
Are you building wind-power units? I thought not.
Have you realized yet that your political affiliation means nothing? Do you still carry either of those labels on your voter registration card? Sorry, but you’re incapable of independent thought. Are you going to vote for incumbents? Do you hate wealthy people? Do you hate HMOs?
Do you hate your neighbor for her or his political views?
The only thing politicians are good for is pitting Americans against each other. If this letter has made you angry then you have proved my point.
Mark Newby
Woodland
