Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Bureaucrats can be good, too

As an architect, I have gone before the city building department many times for many different building types. Recently, I presented them with an experimental high-efficiency unconventional building system for later use as low-income housing and commercial buildings.

In other building departments, I would have probably been turned down flat. But Spokane’s building chief, Dave Nakagawara, took the challenge and assigned progressive thinker Steve Belzak to the case. Belzak examined all points extensively and was able to grant our permit in a very reasonable time.

We have a successful first test of our building system, thanks to our open-minded city building department and Ramey Construction Co. This shows Spokane’s can-do attitude is alive and well in city bureaucracy. Jon R. Sayler AIA Architect, Spokane

Thanks for helping Evergreen Club

We of the Evergreen Club’s Advisory Board thank you, interactive editor Rebecca Nappi and the editorial board of The Spokesman-Review, for your positive words of support for the Evergreen Club.

Even with the 50 percent cuts in funding, the Evergreen Club will continue to help its 250 members stay out of hospitalization and even get part or full time jobs as they get psychosocial rehabilitation.

You were right when you said, “Common sense should have prevailed when Spokane County began its complicated process to overhaul mental health services in the county.” Two commissioners, under pressure from bureaucrats, were persuaded to bring in a for-profit managed care company at a cost of $2.4 million to fix a local system that was not broken. Even the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill knows that managed care does not work.

Now that the Evergreen Club is again up and running, we need the help of nonprofit foundations so the Evergreen Club can one day be independent, like Fountain House of New York. Any ideas out there? Don & Barbara Crippen Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

Send a message pass I-695

What could be more horrifying to a politician, government agency or bureaucrat than the possibility that taxpayers might be able to keep more of their own money?

That’s what I-695 would permit. It would allow people to keep more money in their pockets for the necessities of life. And it would require government accountability (horrors!) as politicians and bureaucrats would be forced to justify their budgets or, heaven forbid, cut them.

Despite a $1 billion state surplus, despite the fact that license tab fees currently constitute only 2 percent of state revenues, and despite Washington being the sixth-highest-taxed state of the Union, some claim this is not the time for a tax cut, that we can’t afford it. Well, excuse me, where does this money come from? It comes from everyone in the state who pays sales taxes, user fees, utility taxes and multitudes of taxes on virtually everything they buy or use. Some critics claim that our ballots will be clogged with 50 new tax measures. Nonsense. Bureaucrats will think long and hard about proposing new taxes. They will have to convince voters that the money is really needed.

As a Libertarian, I fully support I-695. There is no downside to this, except for those who believe they are entitled to your money. Send a message and vote yes to I-695. Janice M. Moerschel Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Hire interpreters by the pair

Re: “Court interpreters hired for immigrants” (Aug. 8).

With only one translator or interpreter being used in a court hearing, there is no way to know that he or she is accurately and honestly carrying out the needed service. Accordingly, if this service is needed to cover an English speaking shortfall, then a second translator or interpreter should be in the room to be sure this service is being rendered properly. This may not be available or may be too expensive but without it, justice may not be served. George W. Bagby Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Don’t worry, be happily Republican

I am thrilled about the many ads I have seen regarding the $892 billion GOP tax cut. The grand old party is right. I can’t believe Clinton and the democrats oppose this package.

The solvency of Social Security and Medicare is overrated. There is no reason Grandma and Grandpa can’t suck it up and work until at least 90 or so. If one or the other gets an “ouchie” or a little illness, they can simply walk it off or take aspirin. They just need to get a little tougher, if we are going to make this thing fly.

I long for the years of Reagan and Bush, when there was runaway inflation, the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. That’s the GOP way. No more handouts - if you don’t work, you don’t eat.

And to hell with all this environmental garbage. I don’t care if some damned wolf, bear, bird or fish survives. As far as I am concerned, forests and wildlife are to be used up. These environmentalists just need to learn to give up and say goodbye.

Who cares if the National Parks are falling apart or if the U.S. Forest and Fish and Wildlife services and related agencies are overstressed and underfunded. They simply need to charge higher fees.

The GOP is rightly ignoring that other little detail we need to completely forget about if we want tax relief. Can you say “national debt,” boys and girls? Dan Semler Colton

Sign makes a statement, all right

A question posed on a billboard about a block North of Broadway on Pines asks “Is liberalism a form of mental illness?”

Mental illness is a condition much as cancer or many other forms of illnesses, except the illness affects the brain. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many bodily and mental illnesses can be alleviated or cured. Most people have no or little control over these afflictions Liberalism is a free choice people make in the political realm, depending on their political leanings.

A sign posing such a question on two such different things reflects a condition known as basic stupidity, for which there is no known cure. Ted W. Shepard Otis Orchards

Bush should tell all, promptly

If Gov. George W. Bush wants the American people to trust him with the presidency that carries with it the extremely important responsibility of being the commander in chief of the armed forces, it is incumbent upon him to reveal whether or not he has committed a felony by using cocaine and/or has been a heavy drinker.

Contrary to what Bush says, a person’s past is extremely important because it can reveal the true inner strengths and weaknesses of a person. The U.S. Senate denied John Tower the important position of secretary of defense because of his drinking problems.

So it’s time for Bush to stand up like a man, face the nation and tell the people about his past, so they can then decide whether he’s fit to be president. Milton A. Braun Dallas

ENTERTAINMENT

`The Basket’ poignant, refreshing

After a barrage of trashy movie releases filled with violence, sex and vulgarity, how refreshing it was to see “The Basket.” It isn’t often viewers are treated to films with such a poignant, heart-stirring message, while keeping it interesting. The simplicity was beautiful and emotions strong. Many thanks to Rich Cowan and Northwest by Northwest Productions for such a wonderful creation. I hope it is successful beyond our region so they can produce more quality films. Bravo! Patti A. Bishop Edwall, Wash.