Letters to the Editor 11/13

Cart solves bag problem

Sitting outside a local grocery store, I observed the customers. Only two of the dozen or so had brought their own bags.

One man had his receipt in his hand and his unsacked purchases still in his cart — neither plastic, paper or cloth bags needed.

One answer to the bag question. Hope the rest recycle.

Vivian Johnsrud

Atascadero

An example for everyone

Dear Ms. Patti Launders, I wish to thank you for the delightful and heartwarming soul-baring you displayed in your “Change of Heart” letter of Oct. 26. Reconsidering your opinion regarding the protesting young people you disapproved of previously is an example of how civilized and honorable people admit that they may have been wrong.

May your words inspire the many intransigent and self-righteous among us who spew political venom on this page.

Joseph Codispoti

Paso Robles

Fantastic Met simulcasts

Kudos to OperaSLO and Cal Poly Arts for presenting another season of The Met: Live in HD and making it possible for all of us to enjoy these marvelous Metropolitan Opera simulcasts. Thanks to generous donations and great technical work, the Performing Arts Center is the perfect venue for these performances. Every attendee can experience the feeling of having the best seat in the house, with the added benefit of being able to “go backstage” for interviews with the principal singers, the conductor, and stage and costume crew members. Each opera is introduced by a Met singer of note, who explains the storyline and conducts the interviews, all with an eye on increasing audience insight and understanding and giving viewers an in-depth look behind the scenes.

If you are an opera fan, don’t miss these performances. If you are new to opera and want to find out more, the simulcasts are an excellent way to begin. Let’s all support this wonderful opportunity and also support OperaSLO and Cal Poly Arts for making it possible. You can find out more about both OperaSLO and the Met simulcasts at www.operaslo.org.

Francesca Fairbrother

Arroyo Grande

Thanks for purse return

Recently, I was shopping at Vons in Grover Beach and left my purse behind in the shopping cart. Needless to say, when I realized my purse was missing, I panicked. I went back to the supermarket, and fortunately a good samaritan had turned it in, with all my credit cards and cash intact.

I do not know who you are, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Donna Freeman

Grover Beach

Spending out of control

Our government is dysfunctional! It has run up almost $15 trillion in debt yet continues spending at an insane pace. No one in government knows exactly how many spending programs there are, or how much they spend, or what it is spent on.

The GAO does report that the U.S. government has (just to mention a few) more than 20 programs to help the homeless; 80 programs for economic development; 35 programs for infrastructure; and 26 programs for telecommunications.

There are 82 programs to improve teacher quality; 80 programs to help people with transportation; 47 programs for job training; and 131 programs serving delinquent youth.

Do you really believe that rational people are in charge? Why so many agencies? Why so many spending programs? Axiom No. 1: Every spending program is some politician’s re-election plan.

The Brookings Institute several years ago placed the number of employees working for the federal government at 17 million, including military, postal employees and private contractors. Why so many employees? Axiom No. 2: Paperwork expands to cover every desktop plus 20 percent, thus requiring more desktops and additional staff.

Paul Allen

Morro Bay

Clarification on meanings

Regarding the letter “Founder, flounder” in the Nov. 5 edition, the writer is wrong. While the noun flounder is a fish, the verb to flounder means to make clumsy attempts to move. It is not synonymous with to founder, which means to sink.

Thomas Corpora

Atascadero

A wonderful treat

This letter is to all the people who live in the Alta Vista neighborhood. On Halloween night you were all visited by a UNICEF supporter dressed in a vampire cape. As that supporter, I applaud all those who put money in my UNICEF box. The amount of money I collected far exceeded my expectations. All of you showed the kindness and generosity I thought was lost in this economic recession. All of you showed the love and concern you have, for all of our children overseas and around the world. For all of you, thank you, and may all your holidays be bright.

Rose Somogyi

San Luis Obispo

Dog robbers abound

In the U.S. Marines we called the aide to a general officer a “dog robber” since these aides were known to steal from the dogs if necessary to satisfy their bosses.

Our Republican legislators both at the state and federal levels have become nothing but a bunch of dog robbers for the rich and powerful, and they have and will continue to steal from the American people blind in the pursuit of pleasing their masters. We need to turn these clowns out in the next election and elect people who believe in an America of the people, by the people, for the people.

John R. Hemming

Paso Robles