Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Tribes would do better to diversify

I compliment editor Chris Peck on his fair assessment of area tribal gaming issues (Perspective, July 19).

As a full-blood Native American, having toured 90 percent of Indian gaming facilities nationwide, Washington reacted slower than other states facing similar compact challenges.

Rapid expansion of gaming enterprises will eventually exceed available customers, with tribes competing against each other while facing multimillion-dollar debt retirement for casino-hotel facilities. This industry is changing, as reflected by Nevada- and New Jersey-based companies.

I suggest an amendment to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that would release casino income to the public. Unlike other entities, tribes annually receive millions of dollars for reservation programs. Per capita (dividend) payments for some tribes amount to $48,000 per month, per person.

The Choctaw Tribe of Philadelphia, Miss., developed numerous industries employing its members. It entered gaming after other successes were attained. Perhaps area tribes could pursue similar business opportunities producing long-term, nongaming economic developments. Lee Carson Palm Springs, Calif.

Unfortunately, West’s way is no way

So, Sen. James West wants to control the budget process and save money (Spokesman-Review, July 22)!

Saving money is not the problem. Using it wisely to meet human needs is. Health care, education, housing, transportation, child care and poverty have never been alleviated by a government’s refusal to spend money.

These issues and problems are large enough in the Spokane community that government must help. We need a senator who understands the needs and can work with others to help solve them. Judy Personett can and will. Dwight Pace Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

‘People’s house’ for sale is more like it

Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was quoted, in the aftermath of the Capitol shootings, as saying, “This is the people’s house and I deplore the action of the person who brought violence within these sacred halls.”

I submit that it has not been “the people’s house” for quite some time and that that fact may well have a bearing on why this tragic event occurred.

If you look at the way congressional political favors are doled out to special interest groups and transnational corporations that are in actuality running the country, Gingrich’s “people’s house” more closely resembles a whorehouse instead of some righteous legislative body! Indeed, some of the deals that have been cut give off such an odor that this people’s house could also easily be mistaken for an outhouse.

Who’s to blame? Congress, take a look in the mirror. Voters, do the same. Roger Erdman Spokane

Education bill veto is ‘class warfare’

It should be no surprise that President Clinton vetoed the Education IRA bill put together by the Republicans. In his reason for vetoing, Clinton said the bill “disproportionately” favors upper-income families and that “70 percent of the benefits go to 30 percent of the families.” This is a flat-out lie.

How tough is it for wealthy families to save $2,000 per year? This bill would have allowed any family to save up to $2,000 per year in a tax-free IRA, letting families choose the school to which they want to send their child. This is a class-warfare argument put out by Clinton.

Clinton and the Democrats have never been and will never be for school choice because the National Education Association owns them. It was OK for him and Vice President Al Gore to send their kids to private schools, but he’s telling you and me we must keep funding a public school system badly in need of reform - schools with violence, drugs and curriculums that don’t fully prepare a child for college or work. He doesn’t believe you should receive any tax break for simply having the freedom to choose a better school for your child.

We now all know who is for school choice and who isn’t. Keep this in mind in November. Mark E. Duclos Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Businesses’ support appreciated

I am amazed at the generosity of the business community in Spokane. It never ceases to impress me at the positive response I receive from the local merchants.

Recently, I have written letters to businesses for donations for a fall getaway (camp experience) for senior citizens in September. The event is sponsored by Corbin, Hillyard, Sinto and Southside senior centers, which are part of the Spokane City Parks and Recreation Department.

The generous donations are quickly coming in. This community in which we live is incredibly civic-minded and willing to support a variety of worthwhile causes.

We appreciate the kindness and generosity the merchants continue to offer to our seniors. I cannot imagine that every town or city in this state or country is as giving as the people of Spokane.

Thank you, Spokane, for your continued support! Karen Cornell, center director Spokane

Kaiser executives cheapskate others

Once again Kaiser Trentwood has out done itself on places to hold the annual Kaiser picnic. Having games on hot, black pavement in 100-degree weather with no shade in sight is not my idea of fun.

Their generosity overwhelms me. What did they spend, $15 to $20 per person? Maybe if their vice president and president didn’t have all those golden parachutes, they could give more to the retirees who have worked there for 30 to 40 years and to people still working there.

Henry Kaiser would roll over in his grave if he knew of their greedy policies. Donald G. DeLong, Kaiser retiree, 39.5 years Veradale

ELDER CARE

Centers’ staffs gave mother great care

Two years ago we moved my mother from her home in Atlanta to a new assisted living residence in the Spokane Valley, a mile from our house. She would be the second resident at about-to-open Mission Ridge, so we couldn’t observe the staff in action but felt good about the staff we met.

I want to thank Monique Kolonko of Mission Ridge and Camilla Mounts of Good Samaritan on Mission for choosing outstanding employees for their facilities. My mother lived contentedly at Mission Ridge until her final illness, when she moved next door, to Good Samaritan. She died in January at age 96.

Every day that she lived in Spokane she was treated with respect, affection and tender loving care at both places. How blessed we have been! Doris Swehla Spokane

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Killjoys are in full control

We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? Now, a few kids are labeled “troublemakers” because they wanted to shoot off a few bottle rockets over the lake on the Fourth of July.

Doesn’t anybody else see the imposition of Big Brother telling us what and when, and where, we may do things?

I sure wish my kids could enjoy the Fourth as so many of us did years ago. The only things that have changed are our attitudes. Another 30 years from now and we will all be enjoying fireworks shown on the big screen. God forbid that we actually have a public display. Larry Angel Spokane

Stop signs are for bike riders, too

Recently, my husband and I were driving through a residential Greenacres neighborhood. I usually take those roads pretty slowly because children will sometimes dart into the street to grab a ball or ride their bicycle into the street without looking.

On this particular Sunday, about 6 p.m., I was driving north toward a marked intersection. I knew that my right of way was clear because the east-west street had a stop sign.

Suddenly, a father and his 8- or 9-year-old son rode their bikes right through the stop sign without even acknowledging my existence. I slammed on my brakes. As far as I could tell, the father didn’t stop to explain to his son that what they had just done was foolish and illegal. Another red light runner was born.

The father and son left the house that day with bike helmets firmly in place, but helmets won’t do any good if a car plows right into the side of a bike rider - especially a young child. And even though I was going about 20 mph, the speed wouldn’t have mattered if I had been 15 seconds closer to the intersection or had my reflexes been any slower. I would have had the guilt for the rest of my life of having hit a child on a bicycle. But his father would have been the truly responsible party. Deborah Lawrence Hale Greenacres