Eleventh-hour letters: Tribune readers share final thoughts on Tuesday’s election
Exploiting #METOO
Stacey Korsgaden is playing dirty politics. In a particularly egregious mailer, she accuses her opponent, Adam Hill, of sexual misconduct.
The mailer, however, presents extremely flimsy evidence — anonymous Cal Poly student comments on an unofficial teacher-evaluation website, Polyratings. Polyratings, created by students, is not scientifically sound, and is not taken seriously by Cal Poly faculty.
There are 60 comments about Hill out of the hundreds of students he taught. Of these, 5 complain about Hill’s treatment of sexuality in class. Most are complaints about issues like homework or grading, or praise of his teaching skills.
Korsgaden uses inflammatory, distorting language: “I didn’t like how he tried to hit on the girls in class and attempt to sleep with them” becomes “Accused of trying to coerce students into sleeping with him.” “We spent three weeks discussing pornography” becomes “Accused of lecturing about his obsession with pornography.” No complaint demonstrates Hill “preying on” students.
Claims of sexual misconduct deserve attention, but solid evidence is needed to confirm accusations. Hill may well have behaved inappropriately, but the evidence Korsgaden presents does not meet any standard of proof. She is shamelessly exploiting #MeToo for political gain.
Johanna Rubba, Grover Beach
Campaign funding reform
Campaigns are in full swing and political ads by billionaires and PACs are are driving us nuts. We need to rethink who has the right to vote and who has the right to fund campaigns and influence our votes. The only citizens that can vote are real “people.”
However, any entity with unlimited resources can fund our campaigns. It seems obvious that only “people“ should be able to fund campaigns, not entities. These are simple criteria that should be guide to a more pragmatic solution. First, all contributions must be made by “people” not entities. Second, all contributions by “people” should be secret, just like our votes. Third, all “people” contributions must have a maximum dollar limitation, be tax deductible and reported on income tax returns.
The only exception would be if the contributor is running for elected office, then the limit might be 10 times that of the maximum donation. No more billionaires buying votes with advertising and no more boycotting of businesses or organizations over their campaign funding, that some may not agree with. Maybe we can encourage grassroots participation and make funding regulations so simple they can be easily understood by potential candidates for public office.
Chuck Crockett, Pismo Beach
Please vote Sanders or Warren
To boomers (and their living parents): Please go back and read the original lyrics of Bob Dylan’s 1964 song, “The Times They Are A Changin’.” It’s remarkably prophetic of 2019-2020.
One of the best stanzas goes: “Come mothers and fathers throughout the land. And don’t criticize what you don’t understand. … Your old road is rapidly agin’ – please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand. Cause the times they are a changing.”
I’m a former Republican and deeply patriotic about America. We must oppose the billionaire class because Trump has demonstrated that the wealthy can’t be trusted. (Sure, Bloomberg is not as bad as Trump, but our government needs to eliminate all vestiges of the GOP’s corruption.)
I implore boomers to vote for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren — even if you are afraid they are too progressive. Congress will check them, and they will accept Congress’s will — because they are not liars and cheaters and destroyers like Trump.
Your children will vote for Sanders or Warren because they understand what a foul perversion from America’s deepest values the Trump presidency has been. Trump’s GOP deserves to be tossed into the dustbin of history. Boomers should help with the heavy lifting.
Richard Martin, San Luis Obispo
What boomers did and didn’t do
Thanks to Richard Martin for outreaching to the boomers (“Please vote for Sanders or Warren”). In an election of such great consequence, I hope your vote is for Warren. Sanders seems short on accomplishments while she is effective. Although either could get the nomination, neither would win, and neither could pull off Medicare for All or free tuition.
Boomers did get rid of the military draft, passed significant civil rights legislation for minorities/women and brought about an environmental movement. But we did NOTHING about money in politics which, is the root of most of our problems. Then there’s climate denial, gun safety, deregulation in banking. Mea culpa.
Ross Perot (1992) and Ralph Nadar (2000) are both credited with changing the outcome of presidential elections, arguably in favor of candidates least in line with their values. I consider Bernie Sanders (2016) similarly but would definitely vote for him in November.
Boomers grew up in the shadow of the atrocities of World War II, which may give us a more visceral reaction to Trump. Democracy is about compromise. I think Bloomberg has the best chance of attracting moderate Republicans. I like his leadership in gun safety and climate change.
It’s not the least flawed candidate who is necessarily the best.
Jeanne Kinney, San Luis Obispo
A few more words
I’d like to say a few words regarding the controversy at the Atascadero Lake concerning the bronze statue of the soldier with his rifle. What do you expect a soldier to carry, a tennis racket?
When I was in basic training during the Korean War, the company commander said, “ Paglia, what do you expect to learn in your enlistment?” I said, “ I want to be a commissary man, Sir.” He said, “That’s your secondary job.” He then shouted, “You are being trained to be a professional killer. That doesn’t mean that you can go around with a sneer on your face.”
For over 200 years men and women have died carrying guns to keep this nation the freest in the world. Perhaps the protesters should start a movement across the USA at every courthouse or park to remove such monuments, and while they are at it, send all those antique cannons to the scrap yards.
P. S. We don’t all have heel spurs or a father who can get us in the National Guard thereby, avoiding military service. One is a former president and the other occupies the White House now.
Jim Paglia, Atascadero
Mean-spirited campaign
Unfortunately, we are living in the age of political terrorism filled with false information and cowardly anonymous comments on “fake” book. The only thing to do is ignore all the nonsense and vote. Apathy is the real enemy of democracy. While she claims to be the candidate of civility and integrity, conservative Stacy Korsgaden attacked Adam Hill with mean-spirited, false and downright libelous mailers. Now conservative activist Kevin Rice admits he is behind horrible, dishonest robocalls against Adam Hill that even Dave Congalton has denounced.
Alan Thomas, San Luis Obispo
Praise for Debbie Arnold
If there is anyone left who doesn’t vote an automatic party line, I want to be a radical who puts in a good word for a conservative. Five years ago I was new in this county and got involved with the History Center, which was in dire straits because its county subvention had been cut during the Great Recession and, unlike the rest of the county budget, never restored.
Restoration would require a 41% increase. I went to county staff, and they offered 2.5% .So I turned to Debbie Arnold and her assistant Jen Caffee, who didn’t know me from Adam (or even Adam Hill), and they encouraged me to “walk the halls” and talk to all the supervisors.
I got together a group that did, and, with Debbie’s leadership, the supervisors gave us our full budget restoration, returning the History Center to fiscal health. Since then, as a member of a SLO city advisory commission, I’ve always remembered her example that the people’s representatives are there to help individuals and groups, whatever their politics, when they’ve hit a brick wall of bureaucracy.
James Papp, San Luis Obispo
Disgusting claims
I am disgusted by Debbie Arnold’s campaign portraying Ellen Beraud as being somehow unpatriotic because she wanted to see other designs for a veterans memorial — 13 years ago! The claim by a supposed Vietnam vet that it was somehow a “slap in the face to all veterans” is complete nonsense!
As a Vietnam Vet myself, I am highly offended by such a sleazy political stunt, and disappointed to see this sort of monkeyshine used for a SLO County supervisors election. Ellen Beraud is head and shoulders better qualified to represent our district than Debbie Arnold! I’ll be proud to cast my vote for her next Tuesday, and urge other District 5 voters to do the same.
Don Lampson, Santa Margarita
Character assassination
The abusive letter that appeared over the name of Joshua Fonzi in the The Tribune’s Feb. 27 edition marks a new low in the smear campaign against Ellen Beraud.
As Debbie Arnold is an unabashed Trump supporter who has not distanced herself from Trump’s indecency, incivility and corruption, her campaign’s dependence on supporters who substitute name calling and character assassination for rational discussion of issues is unsurprising. Like anyone who knows Ellen, I can say unqualifiedly that the notion that she has any animus toward veterans is preposterous.
The issue is a ridiculous concoction, unrelated to any legitimate issues in the race, fabricated to divert attention from Arnold’s substantive failings as supervisor. Ellen is as honest, decent and amiable a person as exists in our community. Slimy characterizations of her as a “dreadful woman” and “demagogic huckster” only bespeak gross character defects on the part of the letter writer.
Unfortunately, this scurrilous letter is characteristic of the local Republican party led by Debbie Arnold and Al Fonzi, which bears little resemblance to the party of Sam Blakeslee, Katcho Achadjian and Frank Mecham. There are many reasons to vote for Ellen Beraud, but the hateful letter submitted by Joshua Fonzi demonstrates the urgency of making a forceful statement that common decency still matters in San Luis Obispo County.
Len Colamarino, Atascasdero
Please vote Sanders or Warren
To boomers (and their living parents): Please go back and read the original lyrics of Bob Dylan’s 1964 song, “The Times They Are A Changin’.” It’s remarkably prophetic of 2019-2020.
One of the best stanzas goes: “Come mothers and fathers throughout the land. And don’t criticize what you don’t understand. … Your old road is rapidly agin’ – please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand. Cause the times they are a changing.”
I’m a former Republican and deeply patriotic about America. We must oppose the billionaire class because Trump has demonstrated that the wealthy can’t be trusted. (Sure, Bloomberg is not as bad as Trump, but our government needs to eliminate all vestiges of the GOP’s corruption.)
I implore boomers to vote for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren — even if you are afraid they are too progressive. Congress will check them, and they will accept Congress’s will — because they are not liars and cheaters and destroyers like Trump.
Your children will vote for Sanders or Warren because they understand what a foul perversion from America’s deepest values the Trump presidency has been. Trump’s GOP deserves to be tossed into the dustbin of history. Boomers should help with the heavy lifting.
Richard Martin, San Luis Obispo
Means to an end
As a child I was perplexed by the saying, “A means to an end.” My mom, a lady from Alabama with a 10th grade education, told me it means some people think its OK to do anything they want as long as they get what they want in the end.
Why do people think it’s OK to invite dark money into a local political campaign? The supporters of Debbie Arnold seem to think it’s OK as long as it perpetuates her staying in office. The Sacramento PAC trying to politicize the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial in Atascadero has Retired Lt. Col. Al Fonzi’s fingerprints all over it! Al was a founding member of the memorial group. I was just the guy who, along with my son, helped clear the field and painted the “On this Site” painting. My son is now a decorated veteran himself. I would hate to think of myself or my son as “a means to the end!” Too bad you have to turn the truth around to get someone reelected. Where is the honor?
David May, past vice chair
Atascadero Parks and Recreation Commission
Say no to Prop. 13
California schools are broken. Simply throwing funds at them sounds progressive but is simplistic and wasteful, perpetuating problems that need massive ground up overhaul. Teachers continue to be underpaid, certain capital projects take precedence but might not be the best overall use of dollars.
Title 1 programs whipsaw from year to year, largely due to educational fads. New mandated educational materials rot in warehouses, unused because they are impractical/useless, enriching corporate publishers rather than students. “Whole language” vs. phonics argument ongoing despite compelling scientific evidence for the latter, leaving some students functionally illiterate. Insufficient instructional days/hours.
Probably the most effective route towards improving California schools is early preschool for impoverished kids. It should be a top priority, but even that needs to be part of a comprehensive re-thinking of how we fund our public schools. What mandates should be eliminated, how much more control should be returned locally, how much oversight and what mandates should be detailed to the local vs. the state and the feds. The California school system needs revamping and rebuilding and until that starts I will no longer throw good money after bad simply rubber stamping school bonds.
Michael Zigelman, Arroyo Grande
‘Socialist’ programs
In one of Andy Caldwell’s campaign commercials he says he will fight to reverse those “socialist” programs that have torn apart our society. Well, Andy, let me tell you how those so-called “socialist” programs have NOT torn my life apart. Quite to the contrary, those “socialist” programs have saved my life and enabled me to build a successful life for me and my family.
When I was 11 years old, my father died, leaving my mother with six children to raise. However, two “socialist” programs, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits, stepped in and gave my mother enough income to qualify to buy a home in a suburban tract. When I returned from a tour in the Vietnam War, I used my VA benefits to go to a community college, UC Berkeley, and UCLA (all, by the way, government-sponsored institutions of higher education). When I retired from Cal Poly, I applied for those other “socialist” programs, Social Security and Medicare. I had already been using my VA benefits for PTSD counseling and the effects of Agent Orange.
So tell me, Andy, which of these “socialist” programs, Social Security, Medicare, or VA benefits, would you eliminate?
Wayne Montgomery, Grover Beach
‘Barbarians’ at the gates
King Donald warns about the hordes of barbaric, unwashed masses of dreaded democratic socialists about to attack the castle and destroy the country. He said his supporters must get the hot oil and boulders ready to fend off the evil democratic socialists.
We “barbarians” must unite behind our warrior candidates and choose a leader who can dethrone King Donald. He and his mob of far-right supporters would destroy democracy and replace it with an ultra-right oligarchy.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution says we the people have the right to form a well-armed militia to protect us from a government that has run amok and threatens to destroy democracy. We must arm ourselves with the most potent weapon we have — our VOTE! Let us use it to protect our precious, progressive way of life.
Ray Bracken, Los Osos
Stop Caldwell
What will you get with Andy Caldwell? You will get another Trump acolyte who supports oil drilling on our beaches, bays, Carrizo Plains and Montana de Oro. Caldwell, an alt-right Trump lover, believes rich people shouldn’t pay their fair share in taxes. He will vote to severely cut Medicare, Social Security and Medi-Cal.
Caldwell is not a moderate. He happily supports the white supremacist policies of Trump, including ripping kids from their parents and putting them in cages. He supports the destruction of the Affordable Care Act while saying he wants to strengthen healthcare. In other words, if we you vote for Caldwell you will be voting for Trump and all his lies, destruction of democracy, racism and hate. If our House of Reps is retaken by alt-rights like Caldwell, you can kiss healthcare, civil rights and environment goodbye. We are facing many existential crises and Caldwell is on the wrong side of every one of them.
Caldwell supports Trump’s insanity. As he has shown us many times in presidential tweets, Trump hates California. Caldwell loves Trump… you do the logic. Stop Caldwell before we lose everything we have come to love about our homes on the Central Coast and our democracy.
Christine Granados, Morro Bay
Editor’s note: Election letters received by 5 p.m. Monday will be added to this file.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 2:22 PM.