Letters to the Editor - 10/24/2006

By: Readers of the North County Times and The Californian - | Monday, October 23, 2006 8:39 PM PDT ∞

Loaded with waste and inefficiency

In the past 40 years, I have worked for, sold to and consulted for government agencies. Most of the years were running my own company or being part owner of a small company.

My experience with government agencies has shown they are loaded with waste and inefficiency. Running a business and understanding reasonable expenses, it is amazing and absolutely maddening the amount of tax dollars that are wasted.

Look at the many city buses that run around nearly empty. If Vista needs more money, let Hertz and other companies bid to provide bus service. This would save the city a lot of money that could be better spent elsewhere. With how our money is now being spent, I am voting no on the increased sales tax.

Bob Whalen

Vista

School district's communication and transparency

In order for government to be honest and efficient, it must be open. Currently, I am attempting to win a seat on the San Dieguito Union High School District's school board. Residents in La Costa Valley have accused the district of misleading them to believe a middle school would be built in its community. Until I informed the community, San Dieguito's residents were unaware that the district was deficit spending.

Poor communication and a lack of transparency are easily remedied issues if the district wishes to fix these problems. If elected, I would push to more fully develop the district's Web site, post a personal Web site to explain board decisions and post the district's financial situation. Additionally, I would develop a blog so the public can more effectively communicate with me and, therefore, the school board.

Busy, working adults cannot be expected to attend a board meeting to express their thoughts, and private e-mail can be ignored. However, public blogs would not only ensure accountable action by the board but would also likely result in better remedies, because the public would become collaborative partners to both provide the board information and assist to solve its challenges.

Stephen Cochrane

San Dieguito Union High School District Board candidate

San Diego

Let them pay for TV classes

Let me get this straight: The city of Escondido and Escondido school district are going to spend $35,000 to televise an English class for illegals and non-English speakers (Oct. 17)? Am I missing something here? Let's see, they're too busy at their jobs, or they don't have the time to take an English class because it's not convenient for them?

If they're too busy working and don't have time to get out of the house for the class, what makes the city and school district think they will watch Channel 19, the city's cable channel? I can remember going to school and working to make a better life, but I don't remember a class being convenient for me, or changing to fit into my schedule. I had to make it fit! I really don't think the city or the school district should be spending more tax money on projects like this. Palomar College has cable TV classes, but you have to pay and register for these classes.

How about the city having people register and pay for these classes? I'm for that. We all have to sacrifice personal time if we want?a better life. Handing over programs like this on a silver platter is not the way. Think about this, if I went to a foreign country and asked them to pay for a class to speak their language what would they say? Want to guess?

Harry Fagan

Escondido

Living up to failure

If you believe I am a failure, I will live up to your expectation, whether I am a student, a teacher, a school or an entire district. Vista Unified has two candidates running for school board who believe we are a failure.

Fortunately, there is a better choice. Much healthier leadership will come from school board members who have a plan for success that they believe we can achieve. Those candidates are Carol Herrera and Elizabeth Jaka. Both are well-informed regarding our new reading program, and our structured English immersion classes for teaching English-language learners in English.

Carol and Elizabeth understand the need for completing our magnet high schools on Melrose and 76. Herrera and Jaka look forward to great things in our district, and that is an expectation I will be proud to meet.

Debbie Rayner

Vista

Herrera, Jaka care about public schools

As a parent of children in the VUSD for many years, I am very worried about our school district and its students. I have attended two forums for the candidates and the turnout of parents was not good. We have two candidates who are against the building of the new high school that we all voted for. Jim Gibson and Patty Anderson know very little about our district because they are involved in private schools and seem to be against public education.

I feel they would love to see public schools fail. Anderson said that Lincoln was vacant. Gibson has stated he is for vouchers. How will that help public education? They both seem to feel Vista schools are awful. I know there are many parents in the district who are offended by that.

How can they help our public schools when they seem to support private and charter schools? Parents need to know the candidates and what they stand for, and not by reading Dr. Guffanti#'s e-mails or Republican fliers. We need a board of five people who have knowledge of the VUSD and want to make it a better public school system. As a concerned parent who wants great schools in Vista, I am supporting Carol Herrera and Elizabeth Jaka for the Vista school board.

JAN SCISM

Vista

Waldron is for the average citizen

As a longtime Escondido resident, I am supporting Marie Waldron for Escondido City Council. Even though this newspaper tries to malign her character, we cannot deny that Waldron has been a huge advocate for the taxpayer, average citizens and small businesses. Escondido needs the tough decisions that Waldron is willing to make to improve our city.

As a council member, Marie Waldron has led our city to budget surplus while never voting for any new taxes. She has supported cleaning up our city's core, creating new jobs, revitalizing our aging neighborhoods and championed the creation of the successful gang injunction to fight street crime.

Please join me in voting for Marie Waldron for Escondido City Council!

Stewart Gage

Escondido

Who's in control in Oceanside?

I am now getting very concerned about the influence of unions ññ specifically, the firefighters union in the Oceanside elections.

I know this union, along with the police union, has supported the troika on the current City Council, but now I see the firefighters union has given McNeil a contribution of $5,000 in addition to the ad campaign they are running on his behalf ññ which doesn't even wash through his campaign contributions. How much is that? Most likely more than $5,000, so they are supporting McNeil to the tune of $10,000 plus.

I think this union dominance of our City Council borders on scary, especially when one considers the fact that the council negotiates not only the pay raises, but the health and retirement benefits.

We only have to look at the city of San Diego to see where this path can take us ññ in San Diego, pensions were raised so high the city now faces severe financial problems and, most likely, huge tax increases to pay for this costly blunder. I urge people to look at the facts here and don't support candidates financed by the unions; it can break us in the end.

Brian Shepherd

Oceanside

Enough already!

It's almost dinner time. I'm busy cooking dinner. The phone rings. Political message. I hang up. Another call ññ another political message ññ hang up again. Vote yes, vote no on this or that proposition, for this or for that politician. I've had it. Makes you want to vote the opposite way! Don't these people realize they are annoying? No wonder most of us are turned off.

If we can be swayed by a couple of phone calls, shame on us.

Ruth Harber

Valley Center

Vote for trustees who will build schools

Be sure you know your candidates before casting your votes for Vista school board. Carol Herrera and Elizabeth Jaka have a long history of supporting public education. However, Patty Anderson and her husband, Stan Johnson, launched a letter-writing campaign opposing building any new schools and fighting against Proposition O, our local school bond.

In her letter to the editor of the North County Times dated Jan. 10, 2002, writing as Patricia Johnson, she said, "Do your research and think very carefully before you throw more money to the liberal elite, union-controlled dictators in charge of VUSD." She also claimed we didn't need new schools because multitrack was better.

Her husband's letter of Feb. 22, 2002, played the race card: "Will the current white, liberal-elitist, union-controlled administration really spend the bond within the Hispanic community?" No surprise that Anderson now claims the new magnet high school isn't needed and wants to stop it.

As for her claim to be "the teachers choice," she is not. Even her fellow teachers at Palomar College declined to endorse her and picked a different candidate, as did the Vista Teachers Association. Please vote Herrera and Jaka. They will build our high school.

Leigh Rayner

Vista

Anderson, Gibson for school board

Cody Campbell is a 20-year-old student at Palomar College who still lives at home with his mother. Yet, he claims in his campaign statement to be a "business manager/education consultant." What sort of business/tutoring services for other students?

Why hasn't the paper investigated these claims? He wants to handle an annual budget of over $150 million but has to borrow federal money to attend school and can't even afford his own place to live. He wasn't even born when I held my first job or when I purchased my first house.

Anderson and Gibson have both finished advanced degrees, held real jobs, raised families, paid lots of taxes and proven themselves as leaders in the community. That is why I'm voting Anderson and Gibson for VUSD school board.

Stan Johnson

Vista

Morality must be center stage

With so much corruption in our government from both Republicans and Democrats, we the electorate must ask how we are contributing to it. As an Independent who leans more toward Republican values and beliefs, I don't understand how voters can endorse Brian Bilbray. He supposedly lives with a relative in Carlsbad, although neighbors rarely see him, and his children pay in-state tuition in another state. Despite this falsehood, many Republicans still voted for him.

As a psychologist, I know the best predictor of future behavior is the past.

If you support him, you have basically told him that deception is acceptable. Morality must take center stage over partisan loyalty. It will be only then that politicians will take our issues seriously and stop only looking out for their own interests.

Carole Lee

Herbster

San Marcos

Study propositions carefully

Two of the most important quality-of-life issues on the Nov. 7 ballot are Propositions 1E and 90. Proposition 1E proposes to spend $8 billion over 30 years to protect California's drinking water supply system by rebuilding our Central Valley delta levees that are critically vulnerable to damage from earthquakes and storms. Forty percent of our water supply comes from the Central Valley and our very quality of life throughout San Diego depends on ensuring that this source of water is protected.

Proposition 90 is purported to stop eminent domain abuses recently highlighted by a Supreme Court case. I support stopping these abuses.

However, this poorly written proposition supported by out-of-state special-interest groups is really a taxpayers' trap that will actually harm homeowners and be very expensive for all California taxpayers. The provisions of Prop. 90 create a new category of lawsuits that allow select landowners and corporations to sue for huge new financial settlements.

These lawsuits would cost California taxpayers billions of dollars every year. I encourage you to study these two ballot propositions very carefully and then vote yes on 1E and no on 90.

David Roberts

Councilman

City of Solana Beach

Prop. 85 good for girls

Yes on 85, please consider: 1. A minor girl goes to an unknown doctor for a surgical abortion (paid with public dollars) and parents can't help if complications arise. Normally, a child under 18 can't get an aspirin from a school nurse without parental consent.

2. The majority of all girls are impregnated by adult men and should be turned over to the authorities. We talk about pedophiles, yet this proposition covers up rape of young girls. Parental involvement will help bring crimes such as statutory rape to the attention of law enforcement, and girls will not continue to be victimized.

3. Prop. 85 has a waiver to ask the court to find out if notifying her parents is not in her best interests. Teen safety is not threatened. Thirty states have these laws for very good reasons and experience, reducing abortions without danger or harm to girls. Vote yes on Prop. 85.

Ruth Ellen Lovison Smith

Escondido

Ordinance a paper tiger

I'm not quite sure what to make of the uproar against Escondido City Council's ratification of an anti-illegal alien ordinance. My guess is that it's just a paper tiger. In other words, unless there's a bona fide community disturbance backed by civilian complaint, the city will not actively pursue throwing people out of their rentals. I think it's more a case of having an ordinance on the books that gives city government the unilateral power to act with impunity, in case of illegal alien-related civil disturbances.

Having said that, and judging by some of the pro-illegal immigration letters I've read, I've yet to find one individual willing to ante up by opening up their home to any potentially displaced illegal aliens. Not one! Why is that? Is this a case of problem-solving at arm's length to sound politically correct, without really having to back it up? Sounds like rhetoric to me.

If people from anywhere and everywhere migrate to the United States for a better life, they're welcome here. However, it's not at all too much to ask that they check in at the door before crashing the party.

Robert Salvi

Escondido

Vote no on all propositions

Every proposition is a proven failure of our elected/appointed officials. They are not doing their job. Every one costs you money directly or indirectly (see ballot). Propositions: 1A ññ no direct cost but can "borrow" two times. Who pays the loan? Prop. 1C ññ $2.85 billion. Prop. 1D ññ $20.3 billion. Prop. 1E ññ $8 billion. Prop. 83 ññ $200 million annually, plus start cost. Prop. 84 ññ $10.5 billion. Prop. 85 ññ unknown state cost. Prop. 86 ññ $2.1 billion cost and savings potential for state/local government with no control over how it will be spent. Prop. 87 ññ $4 billion and state and local revenue reductions of tens of millions annually. Prop. 88 ññ $450 million annually. Prop. 89 ññ $200 million annually.

Locally there is Prop. L, a half-cent tax that can be spent any way a new board decides. Business/customers will fight to come to Vista. Prop. M ññ $694 million bond, plus interest. Prop. T ññ $596 million bond, plus interest. I am voting no on all of them because every one should have been addressed by fiscal, administrative, social or government action.

I will no longer support failure on the part of our highly paid public servants, consultants, lobbies, politicians and special interests. If you have assets, pay for what you wish. No assets, vote for the money, it is not yours anyway.

Peter Murnieks

Vista

Prop. T serves needs of North County

The Tri-City Medical Center bond issue (Proposition T) deserves our support. The facility needs to be modernized and brought into conformance with state seismic regulations. It needs to ensure that it serves our families with up-to-date equipment and, most importantly, with well-prepared medical doctors, nurses and technicians.

The costs to be borne by each taxpayer are minuscule when compared to not having a fully functional medical center to serve the health needs of North County.

Hugh La Bounty

Oceanside

Source is questionable

Bettie Heldring's letter of Sept. 20 really made me laugh. Her first source of information is the Washington Times, one of the leaders of the conservative movement. This is a brief history: Founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in 1982, the paper mixes politics, religion and journalism. The paper's president is a member of Moon's Unification Church and a former Korean army colonel who also headed a secretive Moon-funded, anti-communist lobby that financed right-wing paramilitary groups around the world.

The publisher was Jerry Falwell's righthand man. Moon claimed to be the second coming of Christ, the true Messiah dedicated to uniting the world under one leader, himself. He teaches that Christian churches further Satan's power and believed that God punished Israel and the Jews with the Holocaust. He conducted mass weddings (20,000 couples in 2000) of complete strangers. He was once jailed 13 months for tax evasion. Moon taught that lying is necessary, even under oath, when one is doing "God's work."

This paper is as truthful as Fox News, Limbaugh and O'Reilly. This is the wacko Heldring believes, and her other source is confidential.

Elyse Boozer

Carlsbad

Dialogue, not housing bans

The Escondido City Council should unanimously vote down its proposed housing ban and use this historic moment to promote constructive dialogue and respect for all of Escondido's residents. For sound and logical immigration reform policies to emerge, we must reject such divisive action.

We need workable alternatives that heal our community instead of targeting those who are undocumented and, thereby, escalating anti-immigrant tensions. Every Escondido resident has a right to decent, affordable and livable housing. Anything less potentially violates fair housing laws and raises serious concerns about civil and human rights.

Marion Nobel

Escondido

Escondido ban infringes on civil rights

Escondido's housing ban infringes on the basic civil and human rights of every resident. It is racial profiling at its core. This potential violation of federal fair housing laws does little to address access to decent, affordable and livable housing for the city's 140,000 residents.

We believe that Escondido's elected officials must reject divisive actions that are grounded in deplorable generalizations and only escalate anti-immigrant tension. Escondido should remain true to its core values: "We recognize and embrace the rich diversity of the community and workplace by creating an environment that respect the human dignity of all."

As a constructive and community healing alternative, Escondido's leaders should provide moral wisdom and leadership that serves as a national template for sound and logical immigration reform policies to emerge.

Pedro Rios

area director

San Diego U.S.-Mexico Border Program

American Friends Service Committee

What is the reason for the rise in murders?

I pulled up a Web site that has information on who is committing the murders by race. Here in California, for 2004, it was 17.7 percent by whites, 43.3 percent by Hispanics, 32.1 percent by blacks and the rest by others. This sort of indicates that the invasion from the south is the greatest cause in the rise in the murders here in this state. Another cause is the elongation of the death penalty appeals authored by the chief justice of this state's Supreme Court. He is president of the judicial council that spells out how things are judicially handled in this state.

Over 150 sit on death row with no end to their appeal in sight. This generates a question: How many people would be taking the save-the-illegals position if they were liable for that loss of life and could be held criminally responsible as a party to those murders? Doesn't this also create the same question as to the chief justice of this state and the rest of the justices?

George Cullins

Carlsbad

Airport critic should look in the mirror

June Kristapovich's latest anti-airport letter (Oct. 15) again attacks the Oceanside airport for its "horrible safety record." Again, I ask her to provide specifics to back up her accusation. In the 13 years I've lived near the airport, I don't recall any crashes. If the airport is unsafe, as she claims, she should be able to cite examples. June also blames the airport for losing money. Her blame should be directed at the people who control the airport.

The ruling council troika of Wood, Sanchez and Mackin have blocked improvements that would allow the airport to generate a profit. Recently it has dawned on them that the airport is a valuable community asset, and they are claiming they were never against the airport. Let's see if they back up these claims by voting to support the airport at the Nov. 1 meeting.

June calls the pilots "selfish and immature." I wonder what she would call people who choose to live near an airport and then ignore the benefit of that community asset and use "propaganda, emotions and ignorance" to try to get it closed down simply because the noise bothers them. June might want to look in the mirror.

Bruce Willbrant

Oceanside

Homeowners association corruption

White-collar crime seems to be on the rise these days. One type of crime that somehow seems to stay under the radar is HOAs and their management companies. I decided to sell my house in Oceanside and move to Fallbrook a few years ago, partly because I was tired of paying $250 per month to maintain a 20-foot-by-30-foot area of grass.

HOAs were first started to prevent your neighbor from painting his house pink and parking junk cars in the driveway. They serve a useful purpose. The problem is that most of them now are controlled by large companies that are out to make huge profits by collecting these fees and paying out as little as possible. My daughter is currently paying $340 per month to her HOA in a condo complex. Multiply this by 100 units and you can see how out of control this problem is.

So, if you are currently paying HOA fees, do some digging and find out where the money is really going. I guarantee you that the company doing the collecting doesn't want you to know.

Glenn Philipps

Fallbrook

Vote yes to upgrade Palomar College

Palomar College, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has grown from 100 students in 1946 to 30,000 today, with sites and centers across North County. Chances are high that you, a family member or people you know have attended Palomar. Palomar trains many of the area's nurses, firefighters, public safety officers, paramedics, scientists and technicians. However, the San Marcos campus buildings are worn out and inadequate for needs of today and tomorrow.

While well-maintained over the years, 50-year-old buildings are aging and deteriorated. These aging facilities are subject to constant use, and costly to operate. Proposition M will enable the college to maintain, upgrade, modernize and replace its facilities in San Marcos and Escondido, and to establish two campuses or centers in the Fallbrook and Poway regions of the district.

Prop. M is enthusiastically supported by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, the San Diego North and San Marcos Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the North County Times, the San Marcos City Council, local elected leaders and thousands of citizens throughout our communities. Please vote yes on Prop. M.

Mark Evilsizer

Palomar College Governing Board member

Vista

Carlsbad's election fix is new blood

Carlsbad needs City Council replacements, along with a new city manager. It's time we get new/younger blood on our City Council in Carlsbad. Carlsbad Growth Management Plan for 1986 is an insult to our infrastructure in 2006. Carlsbad needs determination to make home building a lesser priority.

Carlsbad needs employee pension and salary caps and a new city manager. What we want for the people of Carlsbad is very simple. We want our lives and property protected, our taxes well-spent and a City Council that understands what "of the people, by the people and for the people" means.

We have given some Carlsbad politicians plenty of chances to do things right, but they've let us down and betrayed our trust. It's time to make the politicians work for us again. It's time for new faces on our City Council and a new city manager.

Johnette Stickel

Carlsbad

Shrill in their support of Bush

I read the letters this week and really feel sorry for Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Ficere. They are sounding almost shrill in their protests on behalf of Mr. Bush and the Republican Party. I can't say as I blame them. Have you ever seen more scandals and corruption in your whole life? Every day brings more bad news for them. Thank goodness that Bush still has the right-wing conservatives.

After all, people voted for him because he was such an honest person, not someone who would ever lie about something as serious as war. Maybe he didn't understand the seriousness of war because he was missing in action in the military, and his daughters certainly weren't going to go to Iraq. But methinks now the neocons might be a bit disillusioned with GW since the book "Tempting Faith" came out. It was written by a conservative Bush aide who said that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld mocked the conservatives on a daily basis and called them "nut jobs."

Well, have faith, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Ficere. What else could possibly go wrong? Oh, and by the way, be sure to vote for that delightful lobbyist Mr. Bilbray for the 50th. He will always be a hair short of an investigation himself and maybe might make the "Dukester" look good!

Peggy Sloan

Escondido

Take responsibility for your dependents

Re: the Oct. 15 letter, "Your tax dollars at work." I have a suggestion, along with another freebie, canned goods to the illegals, why don't we give free condoms to help the poor people from popping out more dependents that they can't or won't take responsibility for or care for.

We, as legal Americans, usually have to pay for our dependents. Why don't they take responsibility for their own acts, step up and be a man! Or better yet, take yourself and dependents and go back to where you came from.

Janet Kay Osborn

Oceanside

Herrera cares about students

Vista and Oceanside voters should re-elect Carol Herrera to the Vista Unified school board. Carol Herrera has been a teacher for 24 years, has a master's degree in education and was principal of Kelly school for 16 years. Carol had the foresight and seized the opportunity to hire an education leader in student achievement, Dr. Bales, superintendent of our schools.

Carol recognizes that Rancho Buena Vista and Vista High schools are approximately 1,000 students over what the schools were built to handle. She has her mind, heart and the energy to follow the mandate of the voters to ensure the building and completion of the new dual-magnet high school giving all students room to relax, have quiet lunch breaks and enjoy their campuses.

I know Carol; she is persistent in her desire to make all of our children well-rounded in the basics of education, math, English, science and vocational classes. Carol Herrera is the Vista teachers' choice to be there for your children. Vote Carol Herrera to the Vista Unified School District on Nov. 7.

Mary Lou Clift

Vista

Something to be grateful for

There's one thing that everyone on both sides of the illegal immigration issue will agree upon ññ we're all glad that the Latin Americans streaming across our borders are Catholics and not Muslims!

Ralph "Pete" Peters

Encinitas

Kern has the right ideas for Oceanside

Last month, my husband and I were privileged to hear Jerry Kern speak. We wanted to learn his views on our great city and came away very enthused about what we heard.

He called for more professional office and retail buildings along our main streets so that the coming inevitable population growth will have jobs. He upheld our Oceanside airport, which we believe to be an added plus for our city. He is aware of the need for building more roads, relieving work-hour gridlock, opening up main arteries and planning for future growth.

Mr. Kern has a genuine interest in the El Corazon property, and his plans for parks, playing fields and hotels on this site demonstrate that he has put much thought into this area. Thank you for caring about our city.

Susan Devey

Oceanside

No agenda drives Rescue Murrieta

Elaine Bellucci's column, "Bias not just from developers," Oct. 19, took the Rescue Murrieta group to task and questioned their motives in sponsoring three candidates for City Council. Rescue Murrieta has no hidden agenda, no special interests and no ulterior motives, only a quest for better government.

The members attend council meetings, Planning Commission meetings and Steering Committee meetings to keep updated on what is going on in their city. These are all people with jobs, families, involvement in other organizations ---- in other words, ordinary residents who take time from their busy daily lives to try and keep abreast of what is happening.

Rescue Murrieta's successful recall effort has been vindicated by the subsequent arrest of our former mayor and councilman, so they can't be all bad. If residents have attended the many forums put on by various groups throughout the city and heard the candidates speak, they can better understand why these three men were picked to be supported by Rescue Murrieta ---- it was because of their superior qualities and past experience.

Rescue Murrieta has no "ideology," as Ms. Bellucci says. We do want them "to represent the people to the best of their abilities." We feel they are well-qualified to do that. They have no allegiance to Rescue Murrieta and Rescue Murrieta will never make any demands on them. These are three independent-minded men who Rescue Murrieta feels will make the best decisions. Vote Gibbs, Branstine, Thomasian.

Coletha Hutchison

Murrieta

It's no longer the America we grew up with

America, where have you gone? You do not resemble the country we grew up in, love so dearly, brag about, and are willing to die for. You have changed. You have become a country not of pluralistic beliefs, but one of a single religious conviction forced upon us all.

America, you have departed from your once stalwart obsession ---- indeed, encouragement ---- of divergent ideas, thoughts and viewpoints.

America, you have become a nation intolerant of dissent. Indeed, you now abhor thoughts that differ from the imperial power in this president's administration and his Congress. Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

America, your emperor Bush and his Republican Congress have given you the Military Commissions Act. Be wary, for each and every one of us now can, at any moment, be rounded up, thrown into an American or foreign gulag, and never be heard from again. Habeas corpus, that constitutional right, gone under Bush, his Congress and the Military Commissions Act.

Stephen Katz

Murrieta

Take time to learn truth of Prop. 87

As the November elections approach, I urge voters to take the time to learn the truth of Proposition 87. Four billion dollars of your tax money will go to a new bureaucracy charged with funding the search for alternative energy, with no accountability to taxpayers or requirements to produce any results.

Proponents of the measure claim that funds will be available to schools to purchase cleaner running buses, yet they fail to mention that schools will be competing with the entire public and private transportation sector for the same funds to upgrade bus fleets.

Ads assert that our dependence on foreign oil will be decreased, but just the opposite will result for an indefinite amount of time as in-state oil production costs soar until new sources of energy are discovered.

Why is it California's responsibility to finance the research of alternative energy for the rest of the world? This issue should be a federal, not a state concern. Indeed, "it's a recipe for waste, not progress."

Dano Gunderson

Temecula

Reject all measures that raise tax

It's election time again and we're under siege ---- commercials, junk mail, phone calls, all wanting us to vote one way or the other. How do we make the right choice?

There are 13 propositions on my ballot and all but one of them will increase our taxes with a yes vote. Just read the summary for each proposition, paying close attention to the fiscal impact (that's your wallet). By voting them down I am sending a message that our government needs to learn to spend responsibly.

The arguments for the propositions may claim taxes won't be raised, will help our children (they love to throw that one at us), will prolong our lives, etc. What they are not saying here is that it will most likely create more government that our tax dollars will fund.

Proposition 85 is an especially tricky one. It prohibits doctors from performing abortions on minor children for 48 hours after they've notified the parent(s). It sounds like a good idea right? But look closer and you'll see that fiscal impact states "potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined." Read that again. Let it sink in: "potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually."

Join me in telling our elected officials enough is enough! Until they prove to us that they can spend our tax dollars wisely, we will not let them raise taxes. Just say no!

Liz Chandler

Murrieta

Constitution belongs to neither party

Re: John Aclin's letter of Oct. 15, "Democratic agenda not America's. " America's agenda is the Bill of Rights and the Constitution and is not exclusive to either party.

Congressman Jack Murtha's resolution for American troops in Iraq was "to redeploy at the earliest practical date (not immediately, as he wrote). As to "cut and run," what Republican president pulled the U.S. Marines from Beirut, Lebanon, after Hezbollah killed 300 Marines in their barracks? Was that "cut and run"?

On to phone surveillance: Does the government have names and phone numbers of potential terrorists? Or do they listen for key words or do they get information from the phone companies?

Each political party is debating the issues on immigration, parental permission on abortion, taxes, etc.

The security of America is threatened by the administration's policies that have divided the country on the occupation of Iraq and the slow implementation of the 9/11 commission's recommendations.

Bill Wasley

Murrieta

Web Comments:

School board candidate endorsements

Readers responded to an editorial Sunday endorsing school activist Susan Elliott as well as incumbents Bob Brown and Rick Shafer for election to the Temecula Valley Unified School District board:

New blood wanted

Well, I suppose: If you want to keep a rubber-stamped 5-0 vote on everything, then re-electing Brown and Shafer is a good idea. Shafer and Brown have never voted differently from (board President Barbara) Tooker. ... It is time for change and if we keep even one incumbent in, Tooker will still have her majority. I think that all "new blood" is required. I'm voting for (Michael) Cochrane, (William) Sanz and (Kristi) Rutz-Robbins.

Potential setback

Bill: I am surprised that The Californian has endorsed Susan Elliott. It is too bad that they did not do a more thorough investigation. ... Great Oak High School PTSA is slowly coming around now that her personal presence is no longer felt. Please be wise in whom you vote for. Ms. Eliott should be applauded for her desire to help the schools. Unfortunately, her cutting approach will only set TVUSD back.

Stop status quo

Roby: "Respect and communication" ---- Sorry, Californian, you forgot transparency. Here in Temecula there is none. We get nonanswers when we ask questions or no answers at all. Don't you remember what happened with the budget this year? ... At that (board) meeting, they did not even have copies of the budget out for the public to review. ... I'm voting for Michael Cochrane, Kristi Ruiz-Robbins & Bill Sanz. I do not wish to see the status quo continue ...

Support for Cochrane

How about: Board members with honesty and integrity. That counts out the incumbents. I think Michael Cochrane will be a good addition. At least he knows the law!

Follow the numbers

Adrian: ... The incumbents state as a board, "That the parents have stepped up to the platform" to pay for classroom supplies and costs. ... They have over a $200 million budget, not including possible more grants and the April 2007 state adjustment ... for their ADA student enrollment count.

Time for replacements

Choosy Mom: ... The Californian chimes in with their status quo endorsement. We all know there have (been) problems ---- and the current board is the reason. It's time to replace the current board. ... I am ... supporting Sanz and Cochrane. ... I like that both feel accountability is important for our school officials ---- trustees, too. ...

Marijuana growing becoming more organized in county

Readers respond to our Oct. 23 story about an apparent increase in organized Marijuana growing in the county due in part to improved border security.

Fixing priorities

Legalize it!: "Tax it, shut down the DEA, give them jobs as Border Agents and increase security. Get your priorities straight!

Picking battles

eric: "I wonder how many meth houses they could have taken down with the effort and manpower it takes to find and remove these gardens. I guess we'll never know until there's a cook on every street."

It's about the money

Reality Check: "DEA Agent Dan Simmons says, "...it does appear that the illegal agricultural activity is becoming more organized... It never ceases to amaze me that growers continue to return to the same locations year after year, despite the fact that we continue to go there." Earth to Dan: they are making a profit. That's why they can afford to do it year after year and expand the operation and add personnel. So the question is, why are you going back to the same places year after year and what exactly have you accomplished?"

Latino woman part of anti-illegal immigrant group

Readers respond to our Oct. 22 story about Claudia Spencer, a Mexican-born founding member of You Don't Speak for Me, a group for Latinos who oppose illegal immigration.

Welcome Claudia

Inspired: "Claudia and those like her have the courage to go against the stream. She has my respect. Claudia gets it, Tina doesn't. Claudia has the vast majority of the US public behind her. She represents the view of immigration that we can all feel positive about. We welcome you, Claudia! Thank you for your courage and honesty."

Too bad

Unfortunately: "This does happen all too often. Once people get here they become part of the establishment trying to make sure no one else gets here. Typical ignorance and arrogance. It's an 'I got mine and I don't care about you' attitude."

Real patriotism

THX!: "Claudia is more patriotic American than most Americans. She's one smart, classy lady. Thank you Ms. Spencer for your stand for what is right."

Start enforcing laws

Freddy: "... This issue is going to result in terrible un-American consequences. Pray all around, but we need to get off the everyone-do-your-own-thing-and-leave- me-out-of-it syndrome. Wake up and with compassion enforce the laws; but enforce the laws and the language of the USA."

County to gauge public opinion on health care study

Readers respond to our Oct. 23 story about county officials' plan to hold a public meeting Tuesday in Escondido to find out what people think of a $615,000 health care "safety net" study that aims to improve medical service to the poor and uninsured.

Just 'no'

Simple Answer: "No need to hold expensive public meeting. What this boils down to is health care for the illegal population. That question has been asked and answered. No. We do not want any more free medical care given to illegal aliens. How many ways does the public need to answer this question before the politicians understand the simple answer of 'no'?"

Short-changed

Randy: "The county should give the $615,000 to health care providers such as hospitals that the county has short-changed for decades of indigent care!"

Hoping for agreement

Uninsured Next Week: "Our family is losing their health insurance (Sharp) from the IHSS program at the end of this week. The Board of Supervisors and UDW can't reach an agreement and Sharp says we're too expensive to insure. We provide in home care for the elderly and disabled. According to the union, there are about 2700 of us. This isn't right. It's wrong that the Board won't negotiate with the union, or reach an agreement. "

Why a 'safety net?'

Jack: "I for one have to wonder whether a "safety net" would even have to be considered to cover costs for the poor and uninsured if millions of dollars were not used to cover medical costs for individuals residing in this country illegally? "

Just wondering

My ONLY question is: "This program for AMERICANS or for ILLEGAL ALIENS?"

Get what you pay for

Stephanie: "The November issue of Scientific American has a column comparing higher taxes and strong social safety nets to a prosperous market economy. It compares post WWII USA to Nordic states, and concludes generally that "...results for the households at the bottom of the income distribution are astoundingly good, especially in contrast to the mean-spirited neglect that now passes for American social policy. The U.S. spends less than almost all rich countries on social services for the poor and disabled, and it gets what it pays for: the highest poverty rate among the rich countries and an exploding prison population." It concludes that we get much less than we pay for, because "our dependence on private health care has led to a ramshackle system that yields mediocre results at very high costs." It's time to change health care in this county. The report is available online ... it makes interesting reading. One could only hope that the county and local hospitals and health care networks will try to change and work together. It would make this a better place to live and work."