Letters to the Editor 11/4

Shape the future

Our nation is supposed to be a representative democracy. We have known for several decades that it is not. It is a corrupted oligarchy.

The government passed a law several decades ago giving citizens 18 years old and older the right to vote. We have known for several decades, perhaps longer, that there are people in this country who want to take away that right.

Why don’t we do just that and then decide who should vote? Should they be only people of a certain race or two? Should they be people of a certain age and a certain sex? Should they have a minimum income and assets? Should they be only people who have a gun permit?

Let’s just do that and see what happens.

And if anybody in this nation, 18 years old and older, does not believe we should implement “selective voting,” then act like it! Especially you young voters.

After all, it is your country, and you need to shape its future, not let a selective group of people shape it for you (and themselves).

Fabrizio Griguoli

Shell Beach

Only fair

Regarding the lead story of Oct. 30 “San Luis Coastal eyes new grading procedure for teachers” and linking teacher evaluation with student achievement: And why not include administration evaluation based on test scores as well? After all, it is the administrators that are the final line in responsibility. And ... it is only fair.

Brian Miller

San Luis Obispo

Limited decisions

Herman Cain wants to be president. However, his background shows no experience in public service as a councilman, county supervisor or legislator. Unlike owners of businesses, presidents’ decisions are very limited. Congress has the real power, and unless the president is good at schmoozing and having assistants that are good at it, little gets done.

It’s all about compromise and cajoling.

Roy Berger

Arroyo Grande

Right call

On behalf of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County, we commend the Board of Supervisors for voting unanimously to preserve the current Williamson Act contracts.

Assembly Bill 1265 allows counties to save money by reducing the length of Williamson Act contracts by one or two years. By doing so, the county could receive an additional $1 million in property taxes. Implementing AB 1265 would put a severe burden on the more than 1,100 current contracts and possibly cause the loss of agricultural land use to development.

However, our board wisely voted to continue the current contracts as they now exist, thus supporting our vital agricultural community. Gentlemen, we salute you!

Emily Penfield and Sharon Whitney

Co-presidents, League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County

Fight for Medicaid

Medicaid is under attack by corporate America. The Republican Party is determined to destroy Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They think destroying Medicaid first would be a good start for them.

Fight to keep it. This is not theirs to destroy when they are determined not to raise taxes on the rich.

Tom Davidson

Morro Bay