Tax-and-spend gang at it again
As the Feb. 25 headline of The Columbian blared out: “Governor OKs anti-tax law suspension.” What does it really mean to us common folks? Two thoughts jump to mind: The initiative passed by the voters in 2007 to keep tax-and-spend liberals at bay doesn’t mean a darn thing now, and the Democrat governor and her cronies in the Legislature need to be shown the door in the next election. Instead of tightening their belts and spending wisely, like we are expected to do in time of financial difficulties, these irresponsible spending junkies can think of just one solution: Tax, tax and more taxes.
I have had it with these politicians. I think others who feel the same way should join together and get them out of the way so we can have a life, unfettered by government financial shackles.
Elwood Bonner
Vancouver
Budget reflects legislators listened
The Senate and House budgets released on Feb. 23 are a hopeful sign that legislators are listening to their constituents. Our elected officials heard firsthand how an all-cuts budget would hurt Washingtonians, and our economic recovery, and they are responding with real solutions.
The future is brighter for people relying on state assistance for health care, college tuition, family planning services and more. We need to maintain and support critical community services that help people and save the state money in the long term. Legislators are proving they’ve heard us and that they are willing to do what’s necessary to ensure a healthy future for our state.
Let’s all continue to push our elected officials to protect the most vulnerable citizens of Washington.
Stephanie Liberman
Vancouver
Funding family planning is essential
Family planning services in our state are in crisis. I know our legislators face a daunting and seemingly impossible budget situation, but tens of thousands of people will lose access to family planning services and at least 19 family planning clinics are likely to close if these community agencies suffer any more cuts. As a society, we cannot afford to let this happen.
Family planning is essential health care. It gives people control over their lives and keeps them healthy. It also prevents unplanned pregnancies among women of all ages — from teenagers to 40-year-old moms. Family planning not only helps individuals — it helps communities and families. Actually, it saves money. For every dollar it invests, Washington state saves over $4.
Our Legislators need to restore funding for our state’s family planning programs. It’s what’s best for our communities and our state’s bottom line.
Laura Ellsworth
Vancouver
Stop the stream of trash to our river
At last there is hope that the stream that washes the shores of Vancouver will be monitored and purified. Our elected leaders have requested funding to identify and eliminate the pollution and poisons our careless culture has dumped into the once pure waters of the Columbia River, the river Congressman Brian Baird, D-Wash., calls “one of the great estuaries, not only of America, but of the world.”
How can the people of Vancouver help to clean our river? Daily I see cigarette butts flipped, sucker sticks tossed, and wrappers and papers discarded with careless indifference on the sidewalk in front of my home, Esther Short Commons, in downtown Vancouver. Doe that sidewalk residue not get swept into the street, leak into the pipes and drain into our river?
Stop trashing our public walkways. Show that we respect our city streets and the mighty river that provides abundant life to “8 million people who live in its basin,” as reported in the Feb. 26 Columbian editorial “Caring for a river.” That’s the way we as citizens of America’s Vancouver can help keep debris and deadly toxins out of our precious river.
Margaret McCluskey
Vancouver
No reason to condone bigotry
Timothy May’s opinion in his Feb. 28 letter, “Morality keeps God on our side,” is a prime example of religion-based doctrine condoning bigotry. A doctrine that is devoid of knowledge and reason, which is a very good reason the U.S. is a secular country whose Founding Fathers specifically wrote the Constitution to avoid religious favoritism, as is seen in other countries that are governed by religions doctrine, such as Israel, Iran and Northern Ireland. Such countries are more likely to use violence to find a solution to a problem, over reason and negotiation.
May equated morality and patriotism by pointing out his military service. Well, I also served our country during the Vietnam War with the All American 82nd Airborne Division. I can report that those individuals I knew who were gay also served with distinction.
Steve Engard
Sara
Stance on gays in military praised
This is in regards to Timothy May’s Feb. 28 letter, “Morality keeps God on our side,” regarding homosexuals in the military. I, too, am a former Marine staff sergeant and I can only say one thing to May: Bravo, my brother, I could not have said it better. Semper Fi.
Fred McNeeley
Vancouver
Face reality on climate change
There was bleak action at the United Nations 2009 Copenhagen climate change talks. Recent efforts by the UN to make progress toward a global response to global warming resulted in a skeleton crew of 20 countries agreeing to sign. Yvo de Boer, the UN climate change chief, is on record as stating, “Countries are not being asked to sign the accord to take on legally binding targets, only to indicate their intentions.”
The scientific community has been telling the world for years that something is happening to the climate. Scientists have also told us for years that something can be done. The future of the environment is questionable when 172 countries refuse to even express an intention to reduce emissions. The planet fast approaches a point where no nation will have the right to remain silent, and we will all be on trial. “You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” — Ayn Rand (1905-1982).
Kristopher Kammerdiener
Vancouver
Park rules are often unenforced
Regarding the Feb. 19 story, “Vancouver-Clark parks may snuff out smoking,” parks officials often don’t enforce current rules and regulations, i.e. unleashed dogs, dog waste pickup, and littering.
I have spoken to staff many times about the dog issue. I’m told they don’t have the staff to patrol the parks, so why add another rule that can’t be enforced, as well as the expense to put up new signs?
Steve Smith
Vancouver
