Our readers’ views

Blessed to live free

My flag was proudly waving on Veterans Day. As I put it up that morning, I noticed that I had the only flag flying on my street. I drove around the neighborhood to see if any others were up. I saw stuff still out from Halloween, and Christmas lights going up, however, there wasn’t a single other flag. Not one.

My neighborhood is comprised of a mix of families and singles, Republicans and Democrats, but surely they know about the men and women who died for this country. Didn’t anyone teach them why we hang our flags? It was a saddening thing to witness, considering we still have brave men and women serving here and abroad.

On what was a polarizing season in politics, I hope we can still agree that, however dark things become, we are nothing short of blessed to call ourselves American.

Rebecca A. Lineham

Vancouver

Waiting for Gates Sr.’s next move

Now that Initiative 1098 (starting a Washington state income tax for high-income earners) has gone down in flames, I am waiting for Bill Gates Sr. to step up and fill this funding void. Surely he will now dip into his own personal millions (those not shielded from taxes via trust) to fund these government programs he thought so necessary. If he will not, I guess we can all assume he, too, is one of those “mean rich people” and is simply not paying his “fair share.”

Dale Tubbs

Camas

GOP is driving in reverse

Referring to the economy, President Obama said Republicans wanted the keys to the car back, even though they were the party of “No” when it came to getting it back on the road. They did not like the direction the car was going, you know, it was in “D” not “R.” Yes, Democrats were driving our economy forward.

Stupidly, the people did give the keys back to the Rs and they are again going to try and drive in reverse. Yes, all the way back to their favorite sound bite, you know it: “free markets.” Get government out of controlling our spiraling health care. Reverse and dismantle all the reforms that the Democrats put in to control Wall Street to prevent another meltdown. Reverse and go back to make sure the Democratic bill that ends the tax write-off for companies shipping our jobs overseas is killed even before it gets a vote. Reverse and make sure tax breaks that were given when the economy was good are extended when our government is borrowing money to keep our country running.

Yes, have fun, Rs, looking for that job. I suggest sending a résumé to China.

Doug Long

Camas

Include ‘tough love’ in aid package

Every day I read the paper there is a story about how this project or that service is going to have to be cut for lack of funds.

When are our elected officials going to see the light and get out of the international “Rent-A-Friend” project? Our country keeps pouring billions and billions of dollars into countries that are our “friends” as long as the bucks keep flowing.

Some say that we are helping the poor and hungry in these countries. Let’s open our eyes, shall we? If there are still that many poor and hungry after all the money we’ve given them, do you think that maybe the money is being spent elsewhere?

If we continue to support our children after they are grown just because we feel “obligated,” aren’t we considered enablers? It’s time to cut the cord, so to speak, and see how many would still “love” the U.S.A. if they were expected to do something for themselves for a change.

Jim McGuire

Vancouver

Learning trade may lessen recidivism

In the opening sentence of her Nov. 8 letter, “Reform incarceration practices,” Sandra Gadberry wrote, “The end result from all the money spent on our criminal justice system should be safer communities.” She points out that, “This is not happening. Our rate of recidivism is proof of that.”

This leaves our democracy with an obligation to take action, being careful to consider what is best for all its citizens. With regard to “the people coming out of the criminal justice system,” they must be “able to function appropriately and productively in the community.” With regard to the community at large, it must feel comfortable with these same people upon their release.

Halfway houses already exist for people who qualify for them due to certain circumstances. Halfway businesses, perhaps featuring the manufacture of consumer-friendly products, could also provide a valuable function. Those in prison would benefit because after using their incarceration time productively in order to qualify for working in a halfway business, they would have an opportunity to demonstrate that they are ready to handle freedom and independently manage their lives. Society would benefit because it would have fewer people unable to make a decent living.

Gene Dombrowski

Vancouver

Renew effort to reform campaigning

I couldn’t agree more with Roger Cole in his well-written Nov. 8 letter, “Level of negativity was out of control.” If there is a subject that Republicans, Democrats and independents can agree on, it should be the need for campaign reform. In my opinion, Congress should pass the following reforms:

1. Limit campaign spending. For federal offices no more than $5 million for each Senate candidate and $2.5 million for each House candidate. Allow states to set the amount for state races, if they choose to do so.

As Cole wrote, “The present system is broken and out of control.” The time to fix it is now before the next election.

Jim Sevall

Vancouver

Small sacrifice for securing safety

I’ve been reading and watching television about all the ranting and raving about the hand searches and X-rays and pat-downs at airports. Until some sick person came up with the idea to use jetliners as bombs to kill people we didn’t have to worry about all that stuff. But as far as radiation there’s more in X-rays and CAT scans then there are at the airports.

I have a device in my chest that keeps me alive, so I have to have a pat-down because those machines can shut down my device, but I don’t mind. Remember, flying is a choice, so if you don’t want anything of yours touched, then take the train or bus, or walk where you want to go.

Raymond J. Grindle Sr.

Vancouver