Letters to the Editor 7/31

Growth unending

Industrial might, corporate finance and advanced technology are the ultra-competitive engines of modern society that reflect its values and attitudes.

Unfortunately, this complex triad has given us a recent string of horrific catastrophes. The usual ineffective solutions are proposed: increase regulation (although more government often results only in cronyism and the “regulatory capture” of supervising agencies), learn more math and science (until students despise both school and teachers) and make more gadgets, sell more stuff.

But none of these will solve the fundamental problem embedded in our ultra-competitive society. That problem is an ingrained attitude desiring exponential material growth without limit or moral constraint.

No philosophy or religion advocates unlimited material abundance, yet this idea thoroughly pervades modern culture.

Today’s debate may be on the nature and extent of government control, but without a universal change of attitude, no proposal can alter Mother Nature’s inevitable Darwinian solution: a world without self-destructive species.

Dan Biezad

San Luis Obispo

Palin the rogue

Regarding Gisela M. Dawley’s letter titled, “Palin headline off cue?” (July 25):

Dawley sings the praises of the radical, right-wing loose cannon and former quitter (who left halfway through her first and only short term as governor of Alaska), Sarah Palin.

As to her question about whether people would have paid to hear Vice President Joe Biden or California Attorney General Jerry Brown speak: Yes, there are surely people, even in the Fresno area, who would pay to see Biden and the former governor of California, Brown.

Regarding the encouragement in disliking conservatives, let me firmly put that blame where it belongs, which is right at the feet of the tea party and the tea party rogue, Palin.

I’d like to offer some sage, good advice for the upcoming two state elections in August and November. A Democrat is always better than the best that the Republican Party (or their lackeys in the tea party) can offer up for holding or filling any political office, either statewide or local.

To quote a former letter written to The Tribune, “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.”

Carl M. Ricard

Paso Robles

Giants will fade

Get over it, Larry Roberts (“Los Angeles bias,” July 30). Your Giants always fade and that is why no one is talking about them!

When it’s late September and your team is falling by the wayside again, then you will know why they are “ignored.”

As for Los Angeles bias, please, if you subscribe to The Tribune, you know full well that San Francisco gets just as much print as Los Angeles does.

Go back to Frisco and enjoy their cold, overcast weather. You seem to fit in very nicely!

John Stoakes

Paso Robles