Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Initiative process badly flawed

The Aug. 7 Bagpipes column opens a very important subject: the initiative and referendum process. With the overload of ballot questions this November, perhaps it is time to stand back and examine what we are doing to ourselves. As I understand it, the initiative was intended to provide a mechanism through which concerned citizens could band together to propose, and possibly enact, legislation not adequately addressed by the Legislature legislation they deem to be in their interest. The initiative allows for grass roots legislation.

But where are we now? Any initiative proposal that can attract strong financial backing from even a few individuals is assured a place on the ballot. And that is the one big step toward eventual passage.

The current practice of allowing payment for signature gathering is analogous to the 19th century practice of allowing wealthy military draftees to pay substitutes to serve in their stead. Paying for signatures does not produce a true citizens’ initiative.

We are witness to much hue and cry in Congress over the possibility that foreign money was accepted by a political party to influence our national election. Payment for signature collection represents the same sort of prostitution of our state voting process and should be curtailed.

We have just observed a millionaire buy a decision for a stadium. Must we endure watching Bill Gates, through Handgun Control Inc. and its influence in King County, bully the rest of the state on a gun control issue? Donald W. George Pullman

SPOKANE MATTERS

We are grateful for so much

Those of us in Carl Maxey’s family want to express our sincere appreciation to so many dear friends.

The warmth and encouragement you have shown us - in so many different, wonderful ways - since Carl’s death shall never be forgotten. We cannot thank you all properly and personally.

This, though, is what we can do: We pledge to you that we will continue the fight he fought so long and well. Carl Maxey is still the conscience of Spokane. Together, we will all live his promise.

On behalf of our family and office, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Lou, Bill, Bevan, Shannon and Martine Maxey Spokane

Employ arts to help build future

I heartily agree with the thoughtful Opinion piece on the role of the arts written by Jack Phillips (“Tight wallets stifle the arts,” Region, Aug. 10).

In 1981, I moved to Spokane from New York City. I’m impressed by the talented people I meet here and by the potential for artistic growth in the community. And I’m concerned by the difficulty arts groups have in getting and maintaining funding.

Music, painting, sculpture, poetry, theatre and dance are all powerful ways to educate our emotions, nourish our senses and our spirits, enrich our lives and enhance our communities. (You know, “frills.”) Including arts in education helps children learn. And yes, support of the arts contributes more to the economic growth of a community than many of our business leaders imagine.

I saw two down-at-the-heels areas of New York City come to life because of the arts. The great financial boom in Soho was created by artists who moved there, lived in lofts, made the area interesting and attracted everyone else. The building of Lincoln Center, which includes performance space for music, dance and theater as well as a performing arts library, drew crowds of people and spurred investment in real estate in the area. Scores of shops and restaurants opened, and development has continued to spread outward.

We can use these lessons here to our great benefit. I propose that, beginning New Year’s Eve 1999, we have a year-long festival of Northwest Arts as Spokane’s way to welcome the millennium. And that we do this as an investment in the future of our community. Louisa M. Rose Spokane

PRIGGEE

Say what you will, he is effective

A few years back, while touring the new Spokesman-Review building in Coeur d’Alene, I met Milt Priggee.

We talked about his profession, what resources he used for his inspiration, and how my son and I at breakfast would often discuss the meaning of various political cartoons. His view of political cartoons was to cause people to think and make an opinion, whether not of agreement or anger.

Someone else standing there asked him how he got the job. He replied that he told the interviewers that he would “get them letters.” Based on what I have been reading lately, Priggee should not be fired, he should get a raise.

If you want to read a cartoon that doesn’t make a statement or cause a reaction, and allows you to turn the page without giving it second thought, maybe you should stick to page six of the IN Life section. Dave Walker Coeur d’Alene

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Pension fund issue important

The bottom line in the United Parcel Service strike is their pension fund.

The Teamsters don’t want to give up control, and UPS wants control of the $4 billion to $5 billion in the fund. Granted, law narrowly defines measures to ensure the fund’s solvency. But and here’s the kicker the law also allows UPS as a corporation to siphon off all money in excess of (I believe) 110 percent of full funding, some $1 billion, for whatever use the corporation deems appropriate. Can you imagine the bonuses the senior executives would get from selling this bill of goods?

Support the strike. It’s the employees’ money. Roger Dudley Spokane

Go Teamsters

Re: the United Parcel Service strike.

Hurray! There are still some lucky workers who have a union to stand up and fight for their jobs and benefits. It seems a lot of employers have been successful in eliminating full-time positions, removing the expense of providing medical benefits, as well as other benefits, for their employees.

In offering only part-time positions, they have been very successful in creating an economic burden for families. It is such a relief to know they can now stay open, since they have only part-time workers who don’t require these benefits.

Since one part-time job doesn’t cover living expenses, one can always work two jobs. Unfortunately, earnings don’t cover luxuries like medical and dental treatment. But since there’s no sick pay, the workers can do without. Also, we can forget about family time, since there is no free time between jobs.

Isn’t it nice how downsizing has benefited society and kept business open? V.M. Clough Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Society’s rights come first

Tom Hawkins (Letters, Aug. 6) is still, I see, harping about legalizing pot. He and his ilk are still justifying marijuana use, and drug abuse in general, on the basis that alcohol is also a drug and legal.

If marijuana is proved to have redeeming medicinal value, the Food and Drug Administration should classify it in its drug schedules and allow physicians to prescribe it. Allow bona fide drug companies to manufacture and distribute it in the same way morphine and morphine derivatives are. But, regulate it in the same manner, with the same penalties and taxes, not with so-called clubs doling it out in exchange for “prescriptions” scribbled on napkins or bar doilies, the way it’s being done in San Francisco.

Legalizing drugs will not remove crime from the drug culture. Juveniles (I am assuming the permissible age of use would be 21 years) will still have to steal or rob to get their fix money, once the habit gets big enough. Of course, there are no parents stupid enough to give their kids drugs. Right?

What happens when the abuser no longer can contribute to society due to his drug dependency? Where does he get the means to procure drugs to satiate his need? Who supports him or her when they reach that state of drug-induced dysfunction? The first two guesses don’t count, on either question.

Legalizing drugs does not mitigate their addictive nature. Society at large, whose rights drug abusers routinely violate, must be considered first and foremost, ahead of the individual’s right to abuse drugs. Brehon K. McFarland Colville, Wash.

Why did rape suspect get off light?

I am shocked that George Bartz was even living in a community. He should have been in jail for his previous statutory rapes. The prosecutors, attorneys and especially the judge should be held on criminal charges for grossly neglecting the job the public relies on them to accomplish.

Rape is not in the same degree as a shoplifting offense. It affects its victims forever. But for some reason, the officials who are responsible for enforcing the law don’t seem to understand that. It’s a shame. Sue M. Conard Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Nethercutt help appreciated

Hats off to Rep. George Nethercutt for his excellent leadership in the recent approval of the Medicare budget. By passing HR2015, Medicare will expand reimbursement of diabetes supplies and self-management training for the more than 3 million senior citizens with diabetes throughout the United States.

This act will allow approximately 100,000 people with diabetes in the Inland Northwest access to needed supplies and instruction about their disease. Armed with the newfound knowledge, these patients can better control their diabetes. This better diabetes control will prevent costly complications of diabetes, such as blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

Not only will the quality of life improve dramatically for these seniors, but the costs to Medicare will actually decrease. That’s because prevention of complications has been shown in several studies to dramatically lower the cost of diabetes care. Through Nethercutt’s tireless work, a common sense bill was created and passed. I thank him for a job well done. Dr. Ken Cathcart, president American Diabetes Association regional chapter

Corporate welfare just rolls on

We all hear about welfare reform nowadays, but why is there no outrage from our elected representatives and the media when it comes to corporate welfare? Why should the working people in this country have to subsidize big U.S. corporations to advertise and build overseas?

Also, why should young Americans have to go overseas and “defend” big U.S. corporations when they’re attacked? These multi-billion-dollar companies rob us of our money, and to top it off they want us to protect their profits with our lives.

I would not give my life to protect any big U.S. corporation’s profits. William A. Hall Spokane

Those who have given more

The Spokesman Review recently published a chart showing how the new tax code affects taxpayers. It was interesting to note that it did not include any incomes exceeding $200,000.

Most campaign contributions originate from people with considerably higher levels of income. I would think that tax cuts for this wealthy group should be a very important piece of information for the voting public.

According to USA Today, people with incomes exceeding $1 million average $869,295 in capital gains. The new capital gains tax rate means an annual tax cut for this group of $70,000.

Tax-free profit from the sale of your home has changed from $125,000 over your lifetime to $500,000 per sale. Those who will profit from this will be people with homes worth millions. Decreased estate taxes will add even more to their tax cuts. If the exceedingly rich don’t get a minimum of $100,000 in annual tax cuts from this package, I would be very surprised.

I’m sure campaign contributions have had nothing to do with this. Just ask your federal representatives; they will be happy to tell you so. Paul N. Valanoff Moscow, Idaho

BELIEFS

Subud nothing new

Subud sounds like something new but it is as old as time. People have always tried to create their own god: one who fits their imagination and desires, one they can worship on their own terms, one which allows them to live any way they choose.

The one the scriptures describe as “disguising himself as an angel of light” provides experiences to sweeten the deception.

God Almighty revealed himself through the Bible, clearly showing the only way to know him and to be accepted by him is through his son, Jesus Christ.

From a distance, God appears narrow-minded, but genuine lasting happiness, peace and joy is found on that one narrow road and no other way. Ingrid Norris Spokane

Criticism shows lack of knowledge

Regarding Lita S. Oppegard’s Aug. 12 letter, “Fundamentalists display limitations,” I continually find it amazing that so many supposedly open-minded people vilify Christianity, as well as other religions, without knowing what they’re talking about. Oppegard obviously has not studied Jewish or Christian scripture so it probably would be wise for her to refrain from showing her shortcomings in a public forum.

In the New Testament, Jesus did teach exclusivity, as mentioned by a number of recent correspondents to the Roundtable. To repeat, in John 14:6, Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” That sounds pretty exclusive to me.

He also taught fear of God (i.e., respect for God) though not arrogance. You won’t find a true Christian showing arrogance about his religion, only assurance.

Oppegard was correct when she said Jesus didn’t fit the mold of his day. That mold was constructed by manmade tradition and the authorities of his day refused to see that he was the fulfillment of the prophecies of their scripture, our Old Testament (e.g. Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, et al). People today still refuse to hear and understand this because they refuse to study the concepts of Christianity as set forth in the Bible. Instead, they follow their manmade traditions, eyes and ears closed to God’s revelation, and continue to castigate those of us who find truth in his word, the Bible. Dolores E. Hilt Medical Lake

Religious intolerance is bigotry

Rather than compliment The Spokesman-Review for its coverage of Subud and its efforts to engender tolerance and understanding among people of differing religious beliefs, Mike Matiska and Ken Campbell (Letters, Aug. 9) bellyache about the amount of attention focused on the group. Considering the self-righteous indignation of these Christian malcontents and the prevalence of this uncompromising, holier-than-thou attitude among religious fundamentalists of all persuasions, it’s no wonder the world is now plagued with sectarian conflicts.

Can these self-appointed censors of the spiritual news really be unaware that the Review has given in-depth coverage to many Christian gatherings in the past? Is their faith so blind they cannot see that the Review includes weekly religious sections, most of which comment favorably on various Christian topics? Are they oblivious to the special features in the Review that relate to the major Christian holidays? Or do they simply want coverage that is restricted exclusively to their own dogmatic beliefs? Asking for such preferential treatment comes across as bigotry.

In referring to Subud as a cult, Matiska appears to have forgotten that virtually all of the world’s religions originated as cults. The one he has chosen to follow is no exception.

Subud is to be commended for taking a stand against religious intolerance in a rapidly shrinking world that is rife with “holy” hostilities. For the sake of the future of humanity, let’s hope it is not fighting a losing battle. Jack R. DeBaun Sandpoint