Letters to the Editor 11/11

Get the whole story

Don’t be sheep. Remember that the “information” and “opinion” we get bombarded with via the Internet and all media is not necessarily true. Even if some of it is true, it is only part of the story. Even the choice in words is divisive, incendiary and designed to get the response of outrage.

For anything that is important, we owe it to ourselves, our friends and our country to get the rest of the story. It’s out there and it takes work, but sitting around and listening to half truths is a bad thing. Yes, that goes for liberals as well as conservatives.

Valerie Gemanis

Los Osos

The problem

If there was any doubt in anybody’s mind as to whether the people in this country are represented in Congress on issues which are also of interest to wealthy corporations, the health insurance debate should have made it crystal clear. We are not.

Our founding fathers were concerned that great wealth might have a corrupting influence on our democratic system. They had good reason to be concerned. Our history has been a constant battle for the rights of the people versus corporate control of government.

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in California was expected to be a boon to the economy, but as it turned out, it was only a boon to the owners of the railroad.

They soon had every legislator and judge in California in their pocket. The only way the citizens could get any legislative relief was through the referendum process which, by the way, has since been used more for special interests rather than true citizen relief.

How many of us recognize the problem? Campaign finance reform seems like the only solution in sight, but how do we get that?

John M. Gault

Los Osos

Carols A-OK

Thank goodness for Merry Susan Hyatt (“O Holy Night! Initiative seeks carols in the classroom,” Nov. 5). I wasn’t aware Christmas carols weren’t allowed in our schools. In my day, not too long ago, prayers and Christmas carols were a must. My children were raised the same way.

Why are we, good ol’ American citizens, sitting around and permitting foreigners and noncitizens to run (dictate) this glorious country that my forefathers and brave husband fought for? Why doesn’t this President close our borders?

LaVerne Hawkinson

San Luis Obispo

Afghan education

Three more cheers to New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof (“Give Afghanistan schools, not troops,” Nov. 2).

And three cheers to you, Marybeth Lucas, for your inspiring response (Nov. 7) in support of Kristof’s recommendation that the United States invest in the education of the people of Afghanistan instead of spending more blood and fortune through the use of our military might. The courage of our troops has already gone beyond what we could reasonably ask. An educated Afghanistan would truly be a monument to that courage.

LaDonna Randolph

Grover Beach

Wal-Mart next?

Our city dignitaries have broken ground for a new 10-screen theater — the need for which I question. Now may we assume there will soon be a groundbreaking for the new Wal-Mart store? This was approved by voters of this community by a majority vote, and we have yet to see any action taken.

Edith E. Welter

Atascadero

The 10th Amendment

In his letter to the editor (Oct. 28), Mark Whipple asked a very poignant question: “What limitations does the 10th Amendment (as in the Bill of Rights) place on the federal government and which article and section of the Constitution authorizes Congress to legislate the creation of a government-run health care program?”

Unfortunately, most don’t know the answer to that question and few will make the effort to find out.

It’s regrettable that so many are so uninformed and don’t understand their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Because of this vast ignorance, there’s no loud outcry as the politicians abrogate our rights. If this continues, it won’t be long before we’ve exchanged our last freedoms for some perceived government benefit like nationalized health care.

In an effort to awaken the sleeping mass and reverse this trend, I’d like to answer Whipple’s question. The 10th Amendment reads as follows: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Simply put, this means the federal government is a government of enumerated powers only and has no authority to create a national health care program.

Amber Rogers

Nipomo

Bravo, WinterMezzo

Bravo to the Festival Mozaic! Music Director Scott Yoo and the remarkable festival musicians imparted warmth, knowledge and world-class music during the weekend’s WinterMezzo events. Encore!

Sandra Lee

San Luis Obispo

Whitman’s whoppers

Deconstructing the whoppers of Republican Meg Whitman’s campaign for California governorship was enlightening (The Tribune, Oct. 30).

We’ve seen similar deconstruction of Pelosi whoppers, of Obama whoppers, of Republican National Committee whoppers. Whoppers clearly help meet goals. But author George Skelton wistfully said, “we do expect an ad will not flat-out lie.”

Perhaps we do — or should — expect it. We have long history of “flat out lies” in public service. A fine example: 130 years ago Democratic Senator John Tyler Morgan of Alabama, speaking on the floor of the Senate, declared: “A lie is an abomination unto the Lord and an ever-present help in time of need.”

Jim Talbot

Arroyo Grande

Move the day?

Dear Americans: If you would like to move Veterans Day to the second Monday in November that would be fine with us. After all, one of the sweetest phrases in the English language is “three-day weekend.”

James Costello

Paso Robles