Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

I-695 no way to improve the situation

It’s interesting. Now that a group of citizens is ready to do something - Initiative 695 - about government taxing and spending, elected officials and other bureaucrats are worried what will happen to their pot of gold.

Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes, the rest of the City Council and City Hall cronies just need to look in the mirror and there, staring back at them, is a big part of the problem. Actually, all levels of government can shoulder much of the blame.

Citizens are sick and tired of government’s nonstop taxing and spending. Politicians and bureaucrats must become leaner and meaner taxers and spenders.

On the other hand, if citizens want lower taxes and less spending, stop making so many demands of government. Be careful what you ask for - you might get it and then some. Then, when the bill comes due, you whine about it.

There is no free lunch in government services and giveaway programs. Government must be more responsible and stop squandering the citizens’ money. Otherwise, I-695 is what those in government will have to deal with.

I believe I-695 is nothing more than a meat-ax approach to this issue. If passed, it will probably cause more problems than it was supposed to solve. Where are the proponents’ solutions for solving these problems? They have none.

I hope the majority of citizens see through this half-baked idea and vote no on I-695.< George Britton Spokane

Don’t be scared away from initiative

I’ve become incredibly tired of listening to The Spokesman-Review groan about the $30 license tab issue. It’s obvious that the issue isn’t supported by this paper. The reasoning behind this lack of support seems to be that Idaho and Oregon license tabs are cheaper because their residents pay a state income tax. What is not mentioned is that Washington state residents pay more than 8 percent to sales tax every time they purchase a non-food item. As far as I’m concerned, sales tax is no different from a sate income tax; they are both principal sources of revenue for the government.

The government officials are afraid. They don’t want their cash cow to stop producing cream. I fear that the voters will succumb to governmental scare tactics and decide not to vote yes on this much-needed tax break. That is very sad. No one should be forced to pay more for vehicle tabs than they pay each year to property taxes, as some RV owners do. As long as The Spokesman-Review continues to report groundless horror stories about what will happen to our poor state coffers, this issue may go down in a ball of fire.

The taxpayers of Washington have sent a very clear message to our own government regarding taxes by placing so many signatures on this petition. We are telling them that they have to cut out the fat, and these bureaucrats are afraid that politics just won’t taste as good without it.

Open your eyes, Washington state residents. Jenny Marko Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Another corporate citizen heard from

Re: “Retired Kaiser workers lift up pickets,”Aug. 6.

Way to go, Divcon Inc. Kicking Kaiser retirees, senior citizens, women and children out of the shade into 90-degree heat to stand on the street corner. Retirees protesting Kaiser’s contract proposal to put limits on their retirement medical benefits.

Another example of a caring corporate neighbor.

Shame, shame, shame!

Kaiser spokeswoman Susan Ashe said, “It’s all subject to negotiation.” We know how Kaiser negotiates.

Bet you won’t see Ray Milchovich, Susan Ashe or any top-level Kaiser management with caps on their benefits. Their pockets and pants are so full now, it’s a miracle they stay up.

Wake up, Spokane. You may think it’s just a Steelworker problem. One day soon it could be yours. Colleen Geffre Spokane

What about the replacement workers?

Re: “Compromise is in everyone’s interest,” Aug. 5.

It seems to me that the compromise would be in the striking Steelworkers’ interests. But who has any sympathy for the replacement workers who may lose their jobs?

Instead of harassment and name calling, a simple thank you from the Steelworkers whose job myself and many others have helped secure would be in order. No one seems to hear of the vandalism we are still encountering on a daily basis or the vulgar statements and profanity still being shouted above the crowds. But we just go on securing jobs for “Spokane’s Steelworkers.”

I hope there is this much support for the replacement workers if we in fact do lose our jobs. Let us all remember that no one told you to walk out. Rob Routt Spokane

Kaiser taking terrible chances

A crucial ingredient required in the making of Kaiser Aluminum aerospace metal is a stable, well-trained work force. There is no substitute. A work force that is inexperienced and ever changing will never consistently produce quality metal destined for Boeing or any other customer.

Operating with an ever-changing scab work force is like tossing the dice, hoping you won’t crap out on the next roll. Roy R. Hollandsworth Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Program promotes tolerance, peace

A nonpartisan group in Maine is sending the next generation of potential enemies on joint camping expeditions. Youths from warring Middle East factions are brought to the United States, where they work, eat and play together. After spending several weeks in this neutral environment, these teenagers leave with a new vision for world peace. Could this idea work in the Inland Northwest? Conrad Baer Spokane

Story of family heartwarming

Re: “Being there with time and love counts most” (Your Turn, Aug. 7).

I can’t remember when an article has touched me as this one did, one I’ve read and reread. I even realized my eyes were welling with tears.

I’m sure Sheri responded to Pete’s TLC and compassion. It sounds as though Peter made quite an impact on this ragtag family (Sheri’s words).

This hit me between the eyeballs, as I remember the many Sheris in my nine years as a volunteer with primary children in transition at the YWCA, and pray that they, like Sheri, can have a second chance that surpasses the first.

Sheri also says, “A perfect family we weren’t.” What is a perfect family? Is there one? Bonding and nurturing is the first requisite and I felt this existed in this Your Turn article.

And then Sheri followed Mother Teresa’s example by holding Pete’s hand as he died. What a blessing! She was indeed a real daughter. Mae Schaeffer Spokane

There’s more to Broetjes’ story

The heartwarming story about Cheryl and Philip Broetje was a marvelous relief to the usual news of the day. Coverage of the Broetje miracles was generous, but was not complete.

Perhaps on another day, at another time, this paper can describe how the Broetjes started out, not with a silver spoon in their mouths, but with a used pickup, a vision and a willingness to work.

What they have contributed to life in Walla Walla is remarkable. Among other things, it includes their Center for Sharing, which provides counseling for low-income people in crisis; educating in work readiness, directed toward self-sufficiency; family empowerment; parenting classes; and a Hispanic radio station.

Their Christian commitment is surely a sermon in action that should inspire many of us to follow in their footsteps. There is no need for us to go to Bombay in search of saints. John E. Sonneland Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Conspiracy shifts focus, slightly

It’s a strange but sad practice that the media only too often aids and abets the willful destruction of a personality for political expedience. Case in point, the Clinton family.

While Bill Clinton ran for the presidency, members of the Arkansas State Patrol leaked supposedly accurate information on Clinton’s private life.

Now history is evidently repeating itself as, though the media until now have given high praise to Hillary Clinton, she is becoming a threat to the GOP in her race for the Senate seat in New York. So, once again, the Arkansas State Patrol is beginning to leak supposedly accurate details on Hillary’s private life, inferring she was romantically involved with former While House aide Vince Foster.

Isn’t it strange that the GOP, via Ken Starr, spent over 40 million of our tax dollars to discredit Bill Clinton? I wonder how high they will go to do likewise to Hillary. It appears that anyone who becomes a threat to the GOP is suddenly portrayed in the poorest of light. Thank God that Mother Teresa never posed a treat to the Republicans, as it would be most interesting to see how they would do the same to her - and with full media support. Andy Kelly Spokane

Oh, Hillary - excuses, excuses

Hearing Hillary Clinton’s excuse for the president’s behavior, I can visualize an abused person sliding down the couch in disbelief. The president of the United States is grown up. He made his own choices. It seems to me that Hillary, the lawyer, is defending her husband’s infidelity. Delores C. Pernick Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Crapo laboring under misconception

Sen. Mike Crapo’s guest column (Aug. 11) on the state of our federal budget is not too helpful in explaining the situation.

The “lock box” concept that Crapo is so proud of is totally unnecessary. The federal government has never raided the Social Security Trust Fund.

The Trust Fund needs to invest its billions of dollars, so it buys federal Treasury securities and thereby earns interest on the investment - over $30 billion this year. As an investor, pure and simple, the Trust Fund has no say in how the Treasury Department uses the funds. This is hardly a “raid” on the Trust Fund.

The funds are available at any time. If the Trust Fund needed to cash in $1 billion of the bonds it holds, the Treasury Department would sell $1 billion worth of new issues in the open market and use the proceeds to redeem the Trust Fund holdings.

Have you ever known a U.S. debt security to default on either principal or interest?

Crapo makes note that the annual budget deficit or surplus includes more than just “on-budget” items. I agree with him that it’s time to stop this practice. Has he introduced any legislation to do so?

At the end of fiscal year 1998, the government reported an on-budget plus off-budget surplus of some $70 billion. During the same period of time, our national debt increased by $113 billion. It is impossible to reconcile these two pictures of our national health. Seems like we need another category of financial information: “unbudgeted” items. Richard T. Brown Spokane

A ten spot and we’re in business, eh?

I used to daydream about winning the lottery and what we could do with all the money. Now I enjoy imagining everything we could do with the money from the big tax break the Republicans are cooking up. They say it’s going to help families like mine a lot. Maybe my wife won’t have to work any more. Maybe we could buy her a new car. Maybe we can even save for our child’s college education. Just imagine how much we could do with that $10 a month.

Maybe the right wingers in Boundary County will save enough money to pass the school levy. Anything is possible for $10 a month.

It really makes you forget that our children will inherit this debt that we could be paying off now, doesn’t it? Jon S. Waldrup Sagle, Idaho

OTHER TOPICS

Formula, for trouble ahead

It’s wonderful that there are programs like Infant Needs Network giving assistance to families in need but it saddens me that formula is such an important part of it.

Why is it that so many women rely on artificially feeding their babies when their own bodies produce superior milk? It seems cruel to only give a month supply when babies will rely on it for at least 12. So, instead of getting the wonderful, free health and emotional benefits that breastfeeding gives to both mother and baby, women get a month’s supply of inferior and expensive formula. Then after the month is up, they are left to buy it on their own.

But don’t worry, right? Formula makers keep plenty on the shelves so that when the next batch of women who decide not to nourish and nurture their infants the way nature intends can get their month’s supply. Afterward, they get to line the pockets of formula companies, too often at taxpayers’ expense.

Do people really understand how critical breastfeeding is to women and children? Do they know that the incidence of SIDS, asthma, allergies, ear infections, juvenile diabetes and obesity are all increased while IQ is decreased? These are just a few of the problems children will face when artificially fed. Women can look forward to increased rates of breast cancer, osteoporosis and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

I urge our society to support breastfeeding and get over the sexual obsession about the female breast. Breastfeeding should not have to be a protected right. It should be every child’s birthright. Jenine S. Martin Cocolalla, Idaho

We don’t need more laws

President Clinton’s Anti-Terrorism act has incarcerated Muslims allegedly associated with extremist groups without having actual convictions. Many alleged drug dealers are in jail today on conspiracy charges on the word of a “secret informant.” Sixty percent of the 1.8 million Americans in prison today are there for nonviolent drug offenses which detain them for mandatory minimum sentences of five, 10, 20 or 30 years. However, we have released a man with known violent tendencies and psychiatric illness from custody so he could brutalize innocent human beings.

Buford O’Neal Furrow Jr. should have been detained and kept long before this incident happened. Instead, we have an amoral president making a fine public appeal to “make America safer.”

The state and federal tendency to direct more funds toward law enforcement than education has a predictable result. For example, Gov. Gary Locke will enjoy a significant pay raise while Washington teachers fight for a basic cost-of-living adjustment.

We must look inward and direct our thoughts and actions toward being kind toward one another. This law is so basic in its concept, yet so difficult in its application. It is our challenge to overcome our prejudices through personal responsibility, not federal legislation.

Please, America, do not look to more laws to cure this spiritual disease called hatred. It’s time to take action in our personal lives instead of waiting for our government’s reaction to this tragedy. As Bob Dylan sang in “The Lonely Death of Hattie Carol,” “You who philosophize … and criticize all fear … now ain’t the time for your tears.” Heidi Duty Spokane