How do you like Murray now?
With the award of the $35 billion to $100 billion tanker contract to Boeing, an event which surely will invigorate Washington state’s economy, I wonder whether The Columbian’s editors now are prepared to admit publicly that Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., earned, even if she did not receive, the newspaper’s endorsement in the 2010 election. To this day, I cannot accept and cannot forget that Columbian endorsement of Murray’s opponent Dino Rossi, since Murray has a history of successes in advancing the interests of Washington’s residents. Murray called in every chit she held not only to secure this contract for Washington, but to have the initial award to Airbus recalled when it became apparent that Airbus received favorable treatment.
When I read that Columbian endorsement of Murray’s opponent in 2010, I collapsed in disbelief that this newspaper could support an untested candidate against Murray, ignoring her dedication, diligence and successes. I hope The Columbian won’t ignore these successes Murray’s had the next time there’s an election for U.S. Senator.
John McDonald
Vancouver
Let the wealthy sacrifice, too
Don Brunell, in his March 1 guest column, “It’s time to push reset button on how U.S. pays its way,” tells us that we are all going to have to “share in the sacrifice” as governments at all levels cut spending. The only specific sacrifice he calls for, however, is to be borne by public service workers — teachers, firefighters, police, etc.
What sacrifices are Brunell and his wealthy friends prepared to make for the common good? How about cuts in welfare to wealthy corporations such as oil and gas companies? How about a tax code with fewer loopholes for the wealthy? I hope he will provide us with some details in his next column.
Jenni Gainsborough
Vancouver
Bridge is the best way to cross
A bridge is one of five ways to cross a river. The others are swimming, boating, ballooning and flying.
A bridge needs to be safe, fiscally manageable and have longevity.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and therefore does not reflect on the worth of a river or city.
Let’s build that bridge as soon as possible.
Maureen Forgeng
Vancouver
Bridge to conflagration?
OK. We spent a million dollars plus designing a new multibillion dollar bridge/interchange, and now an expert panel has concluded the original design is too costly and of questionable durability. Perhaps a few extra dollars to “pretty up” the design but durability issues? Whom do we fire?
I now question the reasoning behind the entire project. Do we really need a new bridge or can we get by with spending a fraction of the projected billions and refurbish our existing bridge? If we fix our old bridge, would we be money ahead to then build a new bridge in a less impacted area where overall costs would be significantly less and actually gain more lanes across the river in the process?
Admittedly, I am not an expert, but I think it’s obvious that our “planners” and “decision makers” are out of their league and are now at the point of approving effectively anything in order to just get it done.
Please, use honesty, competency, focus and common sense. This is it for our lifetime, folks. Where do we expect to find the money to build another crossing if we can’t even agree how to pay for this one?
Jeffrey A Gibbons
Camas
Voters often are hoodwinked
When people (unwittingly) pass levies for schools, libraries, fire departments, emergency service, they are authorizing the collection of an additional, specific amount of money by the county. The county assesses the value of all properties in the jurisdiction and uses the assessment data to apportion the approved increase between each property owner in it.
If all assessed property values in Clark County go up or down the same percentage (or stay the same), then all property owners will still see their property taxes go up. If a homeowner’s assessed property value goes down relative to other assessed property, they may still see a property tax increase, depending on the amount of the approved levies and the degree to which their property value declined compared to other assessed properties in their jurisdiction.
When levies are proposed, they are typically defined in terms of cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. This number is misleading, useless and a tacit deception. Often people are hoodwinked into thinking that since the levy appears small, the dropping value of their property will more than offset the increase — it just isn’t so. Remember this when you vote in favor of levies.
John Kimbrough
Vancouver
Rankings unduly influenced
HoDong Herremans, in a Feb. 13 letter, “Ban dropping of policyholders,” laments statistics that note America ranks 31st in the world in life expectancy, 37th in infant mortality and 34th in maternal mortality. Excellent and accurate tabulations, which Herremans blames on insurance companies.
But, considering that America tolerates, if not promotes, inner-city killings by gangs, teenage pregnancy, and undocumented immigrants, these numbers will not improve.
Without these influences, America ranks close to No. 1 in all three of these categories.
Ron “Wick” Thomas
Vancouver
Electric-car rebate sparks resistance
Government give-away programs are breaking this country financially. There is nothing new here, as we have simply learned to accept this as a fact of life.
However, I am offended that my tax dollars are used to give a $7,500 rebate to buyers of electric cars. Other than the economic loser of using corn (food) for alcohol fuel production, this one takes the prize for economic foolishness related to fuel issues.
If electric cars are such a good idea, why not let them stand on their own? If one can save $2,000 a year on fuel, that should be incentive enough to pay the extra cost of such a vehicle, shouldn’t it? Feeling good for saving the environment would be an added bonus. The net benefit of any economic good these cars provide is debatable. Most of the information available indicates that electricity from hydropower could result in a net benefit.
However, nearly all new power required by thousands or millions of electric cars will come from fossil fuel sources, or (horrors) nuclear plants. Fossil fuel production is too costly, and most likely negates the environmental benefits of zero emission cars.
How do you spell boondoggle?
Ernest Badolato
Vancouver
