Letters to the Editor 12/20

The real bully

Lon Allan’s article on Walmart stated the retail store “wants to use the ballot box to muscle its way into communities” and claims the store is a “major bully when it comes to locating itself in communities that may not want the big-box store.”

Mr. Allan is clear he is not in favor of a Walmart store in Atascadero. However, 65 percent to 70 percent of Atascadero voters made it clear they do want a local Walmart when an anti-Walmart group used the ballot box and put the issue to a vote.

The real bully here is the big union influence that wants Walmart’s 1.5 million employees to be forced into a union where their dues money is muscled away and then donated to Democrats whether the employee wants it or not.

Saving gas and money by shopping at a local Walmart whose tax money will be well spent for services in Atascadero is not “shameful,” but continually trying to stop or stall a legal business from coming to a town that local citizens want certainly is.

Madalyn McDaniel

Atascadero

Many versus few

After reading Sara Hall’s letter (“Team sports,” Dec. 12), I had to respond to her comment, “I understand that the arts are not as well recognized, but funding is not the problem.” She is clearly misinformed about how the funding of academic programs operates. Unlike athletic programs, at the academic end the teachers are forbidden from soliciting donations. No, Sara, they cannot fundraise. These teachers are left with insufficient department budgets, and many are forced to rely on their own personal resources or the kindness of a few caring and involved parents. While all students are required to participate in those underfunded programs, the majority of students do not participate in school sports. Very few school athletes will use those skills in a career, while the skills provided to the majority of the students by these academic programs (including the arts) are necessary to help our students become successful and productive members of society. Maybe it’s time we start celebrating those students.

Michelle Tasseff

San Luis Obispo

Let them share pain

Am I the only one who noticed that in the budget cuts listed in the Dec. 14 Tribune that there was not one dime cut from any of our state representatives’ standard of living?

I think before we cut schools and other “people-oriented” programs, I’d like to see cuts such as: Legislators will pay for part of their own health care premiums, 10 percent cut of their office staffs and office rents, cuts to their “per diem” for food, a 10 percent cut in pay, cuts in their travel budgets, elimination of their car allowances, etc.

When things are good, they thrive and multiply, but when things are tough, they don’t feel any of our “pain.” Did anyone else notice?

Phyllis Frank

Templeton

Your interests

All you need to know about our two political parties can be summed up very simply. The Democrats are fighting for the 99 percent working class by extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits. The Republicans, on the other hand, are fighting to continue the tax breaks for the 1 percent richest among us.

Who has your interests at heart?

Michael L. McGee

San Luis Obispo