Votes and the election results

To the Editor,

Robin Zeutzius finds it “dumbfounding” that Romney/Ryan lost the election because of “how many states actually voted for them.”  

In fact, Romney/Ryan won only 24 states, and Obama/Biden won 26 (and the District of Columbia).

Plus, I don’t think it would work if the winner of the presidency was decided by whoever won the most states. The combined population of the 26 smallest states is less than 54 million people, so they would be able to out vote the two largest states (California and Texas), which have a combined population of over 64 million.

Also, Obama/Biden won by “popular opinion” since they won a majority of the popular vote as well as a majority of the electoral vote. 

I do agree that perhaps we should consider doing away with the Electoral College. If we had, Al Gore, who won the popular vote, would have won in 2000, and we all would have been spared eight years of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and their wrecking crew.

Charles Ralston

Mi-Wuk Village

Move doesn’t save schools or state

To the Editor,

Joe Silva and the Tuolumne County Schools Office trustees were justly caught trying to circumvent California Education Code, in a scam. They had planned to stick taxpayers with a $25,000 pay raise to Superintendent Silva by sticking the California State Teachers Retirement System with the cost of his newly inflated salary. 

This is just the City of Bell retirement scam in a different format. 

Superintendent Silva and the trustees who supported this plan should be fired for attempting to break the law, sticking taxpayers with more expenses, and giving Silva an illegal raise by renaming it “saving our schools money.”

Further, the County School’s lawyer, Byron Smith, is the same lawyer who advised John Pendley and his gang in the cover-up of the Columbia Elementary School sexual predator scandal. Perhaps school district trustees should pursue better legal advice, before getting caught breaking the law.

Randal Lee

Sonora

Citizens want moderate gov’t

To the Editor,

Whether Republican, Democrat, or independent, the lesson learned not only from the President being re-elected, but from the Senate seats increasing for Democrats, is that citizens want a moderate government — not extreme on the left or the right.

The GOP has allowed the “tail to wag the dog” with its adherence to too-far right ideology promoted by its Tea Party wing. Mitt Romney in order to secure the acceptance of that increasing faction, had to feign being a “severe” conservative, which he wasn’t. He moved more to a moderate position once he secured the nomination of his party, but by then it was too late. His position swings lost credibility with the electorate, along with never being free from the stigma of Wall Street’s Bain Capital and the infamous video disparaging the 47 percent.

The final poll figures show how out of touch the GOP is with groups other than a declining percentage of white people. The vast majority of “minority groups” belonging to a struggling middle class and lower class saw no champion to their plight or aspirations by voting for Romney.

To see Democrats winning in strong red states along with the polling percentages increasingly going towards the Democrats should send a strong message to the GOP that they need to put their house in order. They can start by realizing that so-called big government is not the enemy but rather those like Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, and unlimited, unnamed funding sources that distort democracy and believe compromise is a dirty term.

We’ll see how three aging white men, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and Harry Reid pick up on the relevance of this election and act in the interest of the country, not in the interest of their parties.

Wayne Kirkbride

Twain Harte

Romney lost because arrogance

To the Editor,

A few thoughts about the results of the presidential election: Romney, the “Tea Party” and the GOP suffered a devastating defeat despite the expenditure of millions of dollars in the campaign. Romney had a sense of entitlement to the Oval Office because of his successful career at Bain Capital where he reportedly relished the power to “fire” people as the head of Bain Capital, taking over struggling business and thereby enriching himself.

The result of this arrogance of power is clearly demonstrated in the words of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Henry Kissinger: “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.” May Romney rest in peace applying his power over millions of dollars in the Cayman Islands of the Caribbean. 

Ray Mellana

Sonora

The electoral college is important

To the Editor,

I like the Electoral College. Its original purpose was to spread the vote impact more evenly between the more populated and the less populated states. Without the Electoral College, the entire country would be controlled by the top 15 or 20 major metropolitan areas. Without the Electoral College our two largest metropolitan areas (New York and Los Angeles) would have the same voting clout as all of the people in 15 of the less populated states (AK, MT, ID, NV, UT, WY, ND, SD, NE, IA, KA, OK, MO, AR and NM).  The residents of those states have very different needs and concerns (fishing, forestry, mining, farming, cattle, oil, etc.) than people living in large metropolitan regions. I don’t want the country to be controlled just by “big city folk.”

The Electoral College also compartmentalizes the votes so only a few states usually end up doing recounts. Could you imagine if the winner was determined solely by popular vote?   Every state in the Union would be having recounts from now till doomsday with both sides trying to squeeze out another thousand votes for their candidate. Lastly, to abolish the Electoral College would require a change to the Constitution and that requires ratification by 3/4 of the states. Do you really think the 15 states listed above are going to surrender the little extra clout they have? I may be in the minority, but I like the Electoral College.

Ted Hall

Jamestown

More about the electoral college

To the Editor,

Robin Zeutzius finds it “dumbfounding” that Romney/Ryan lost the election because of “how many states actually voted for them.”  In fact, Romney/Ryan won only 24 states, and Obama/Biden won 25 and probably will also win Florida (and the District of Columbia). Plus, I don’t think it would work if the winner of the presidency was decided by whoever won the most states. The combined population of the 26 smallest states is less than 54 million people, so they would be able to outvote the two largest states (California and Texas), which have a combined population of about 64 million.

Also, Obama/Ryan won by “popular opinion” since they won a majority of the popular vote as well as a majority of the electoral vote.  I do agree that perhaps we should consider doing away with the electoral college.  If we had, Al Gore, who won the popular vote, would have won in 2000, and we all would have been spared eight years of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and their wrecking crew.

Charles Ralston

Mi-Wuk Village

Is this what we really want?

To the Editor,

The Tax Foundation, which has analyzed taxes in America since 1937, recently published a report on sources of federal income tax. In 1980, the top 20 percent of U.S. income-earning households paid 65 percent of federal income taxes. Their percentage rose steadily until, in 2012, the top 20 percent paid 94 percent of all federal income tax!

President Obama says these folks need to pay their fair share. He especially focuses in that top 5 percent of earning households. Several recent studies have pointed out that, if ALL the earnings of the top 5 percent were confiscated by the government, the government could run for  a year.

Do these numbers sound strange to you? Do they seem to add up? They don’t! This administration now borrows 40 percent of the money needed to run the government. Mind you, that 40 percent of the money you need just to pay daily expenses you incur to run your household. How long could you remain solvent if you did that? It would be a formula for personal bankruptcy. So, too the administration’s is a formula for national bankruptcy.

California — take notice. Just as our federal income tax depends overwhelmingly on a small slice of wage earners, California has based its system on a small population of high earners. Those folks can vote with their feet and move to Nevada, Texas, etc. where they would pay no state income tax. Governor Brown’s Prop. 30 to lay more taxes on that small group is an invitation to leave. Already, many businesses and wealthy individuals have left the state to escape our high taxes and excessive regulations. Is that really what we want?

George Kellerman 

Sonora

Do away with electoral college

To the Editor,

It’s amazing! Last night I went to bed in the United States of America, and this morning woke up in a third world country. The sad part is there is no end in sight to the high unemployment numbers, the lack of strong leadership and pride in our country, or the out of control government spending for another four years.

This country has turned into a place where the majority of people want things given to them instead of actually working and earning them. Well they got what they wanted yesterday in re-electing Obama.  

My opinion is that we need to do away with the electoral vote, and go by popular opinion. Its as if our vote doesn’t even count. Look at how many states actually voted for Romney/Ryan, and they still lost the election. 

Dumbfounding!

Also, we need to keep an eye on the middle east. I think that the troubles there have only just begun. If Obama is not held accountable for what happened in Benghazi, our credibility as a country goes down the drain and shame on the politicians in office at this moment!

Robin Zeutzius

Sonora

Sore losers

To the Editor,

I have the distinct feeling that after the election is over, whoever the loser is, is going to decry that there may be too many folks in the northeast and mid-west, that were not able to get out to vote. 

Watch and see if there isn’t a cry for a re-vote! 

This could be a rather unique election, to say the least. Realistically, how many folks really can’t get to the polls? 

Makes you wonder, huh? The election should have been postponed for at least a week, to eliminate the possibility of such an event to take place. 

We’ll see.

Wally George 

Jamestown

Prop 37 was
a good idea

To the Editor,

As consumers, we have the right to know what is in the food that we eat. Prop 37 required that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) be labeled in our foods. Fifty other leading countries have already required this labeling to insure their consumers know what they are purchasing in their food products. 

GMOs are foods that have been genetically engineered at the lab level extracting and sharing genes between various plant or animal organisms which artificially alter the DNA of the given organism. The species barrier is subverted; nature could never randomly do this. There have been no long term studies indicating whether these foods are safe to eat. As consumers we have the right to know what is in our foods with clear labeling so we can make choices as we already do with other existing food labeling.

Recently, I received a flyer in the mail funded by the multinational corporation, Monsanto, advocating the opposite of voting yes on 37. The flyer’s approach was to undermine our better judgment by sowing seeds of doubt and growing fear and confusion. Nearly $1 million a day, by some accounts, was being spent by many chemical corporations to kill this “right to know” amendment. It begs the question, “What is it that they don’t want us to know?” Make them tell us.

Jennifer Aguirre

Sonora

We still Occupy

To the Editor,

Readers may have noticed that we Occupiers continue to stand Saturdays midday at Courthouse Square, as we have now for over a year. Our modest aim is still to call attention to — raise consciousness about — the vast gulf in personal income in America, most notably the enormous and increasing amassing of wealth at the top. 

As we know, 80 to 90 percent of the nation’s wealth (estimates vary) is in the hands of just about 5 percent of the populace. 

Nobody doubts that big money, from individual millionaires a well as corporations, buys candidates and offices. Legislators, thus beholden, secure financial advantages for the rich, and limit opportunities for the rest of us. 

Rich elites, for example, spend unlimited resources on their children, while public schools are starved for funding. 

How could the citizenry have allowed this level of economic inequality come about? This can’t be the America we want.

What’s the future? One scenario: As inequality hardens, upward mobility falls, and with it the open system that made the country great in the first place. 

Another prospect is mindful that world history since the Middle Ages is riddled by frequent rebellions, large and small, usually driven by economic desperation and hatred of rich, despotic rulers. 

Such an uprising seems inconceivable in the U.S., given the safety nets in place, our tradition as a peaceable, orderly society, and Americans’ usual reluctance to join in mass protests. 

Yet, who can say?

Dick Peterson

Sonora

Building permit fees

To the Editor,

Annually, Duncan Associates publishes a survey comparing fees levied for the construction of a 2000 square foot home. In 2011, the national average was $8,689 outside of California.  California hit an astonishing average of $32,531. These fees are a tax, the most regressive kind of tax hitting the young and less affluent the hardest. Mostly, only large developers can afford these kinds of regulatory fees.  It leads to the proliferation cookie-cutter housing developments. 

Regulations and fees are equally burdensome for small business and are being used as powerful weapons by big business and interest groups pushing for “stack and pack” smart growth plans like the “Blue Print” just approved in Tuolumne County.  

These regulations and plans drive out smaller competition, inhibit new competition and force families into high density developments. We never hear about the down side of these plans, but it can be seen in the 80 homes that just burned in New Jersey. Packing people together can be very hazardous. 

The bureaucracies that have developed with increased regulation are grossly over-extended on salaries and pensions. The public pays for these regulations through higher fees and prices, lack of choice, lack of opportunity and watching their children and grandchildren leave. 

Most regulation is under the guise of “health and safety.”  

Much of it, though, not only fails to improve conditions but is detrimental because of the adverse economic impact. Governor Brown just removed some of the commercial kitchen requirements that are a huge barrier to new businesses. Are we in more danger now? No. Nor are we safer because we mandate septic system checks twice a year instead of every two years, but it sure props up some businesses and discourages people from living outside of “developments.”

Thank you Evan Royce for being the lone vote against this nonsense.

Heidi Fuller

Columbia

Thank you

To the Editor,

I want to express my profound gratitude to the individuals who came to my aid when I fell in the Walmart parking lot on Sept. 11, receiving a severe leg injury. I’m sorry I do not have your names. The first to help said he had 25 years experience in first aid, the second was a nice lady who reassuring me said “I’m a nurse.” There were others. 

The Sterns who saw that my pet dog was returned to my family, and those who aided in getting my automobile returned. Also I want thank the Sonora Regional Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Center for their treatment and the outstanding care given by the staff. 

Jere Calef

Sonora

The joys of
running a business

To the Editor,

A young man came to us Jan. 23 asking for work. We were not advertising for help but decided to give him a chance. 

On May 7, he sent a text message saying he could not afford gas to come to work and quit. In three months he had missed four days of work. He then applied for unemployment and was denied partly due to this text message. 

He appealed and we received a package of 42 pages from the California Appeals Board regarding a hearing in Sacramento. 

The employee was a no-show. Twenty days later he appealed for a second time claiming he was out of town working. 

We received a package of 42 pages regarding a hearing in Sacramento. Again the employee was a no-show. We now received a 42 page package regarding a third hearing. The employee was allowed to appeal for a third time even though he did not appeal within the required 20 days and was a no-show time before. 

Is this the way California helps small business? Is this a responsible use of taxpayer’s dollars? 

I think I’ll be a no-show!

Tom Molinari Sr.

Sonora

Thanks to good samaritans

To the Editor,

Regarding good samaritans, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Snyder, of Sonora, and Wayne and Son Automotive, of Angels Camp:

I am writing to thank and acknowledge good samaritans — my son was driving his girlfriend home to Angels Camp and the car overheated.

First, the fire department responded fast with dutiful kindness. 

Second, Wayne and Son Automotive stored the car “free” while I took my dad to Florida and he was in the E.R.

I had a stroke and traumatic brain injury and the Snyders picked up the car and took care of the car — because I could not get the car due to my stroke.

I want to thank everyone for their kindness, compassion, devotion and care for others.

Thank you, bless you, thank you for the kind people in the world — thank you for helping my son and myself.

Donna Raposa

Aptos (Santa Cruz)

Occupy and
political parties

To the Editor,

A gentleman stopped by the park the other day to ask about my sign which says “In With Regulation, Out With Corruption,” and asked me if I was for Romney to which I replied no, but I should have clarified my statement. 

The 99 percent is not about political parties, it’s about righting what we see as wrong with this country. The reverse of my sign says “Reinstate Glass Steagall,” which was repealed by Bill Clinton in 1999 and is the law that separated commercial banks from the speculation of Wall Street. 

Myrna Doering 

Jamestown

One bad apple

To the Editor,

I have just returned from my local and favorite grocery store. I do almost all my shopping there, love the workers and love the selection and prices. About twice a month I ask the nice produce workers if they have any boxes of lettuce they are throwing out, we give a few handfuls to our chickens every morning when they are let out of the coop. It is good for them and it helps to keep them quiet. 

I was told they no longer can do that as someone was stuffing things down into the boxes and stealing from the store. 

Thanks a lot thieves, one bad apple really does spoil it for everyone.

Unfortunately, now the produce will be thrown away in the garbage, instead of feeding animals.

Nancey Kearney 

Sonora

How do burglars sleep at night?

To the Editor,

This is to the young man that broke into my home in Ponderosa Hills. The moment that we looked into each others eyes as you were exiting my dining room window and the last time you looked over your shoulder as I was chasing you will be forever etched into my mind. 

So many questions come to mind. The first is why? Why our house or anyone’s house for that matter? I have worked my butt off for what we have, which as you witnessed is not that much. 

Why can’t you? 

For you to come and take what we have away is just unfathomable to me. What you stole from us is of minor monetary value, but huge sentimental value. 

However, the act of breaking into our home has forever changed my family. My children refuse to remain at home alone because of the actions that you took. Even if they agreed, I would not let them. You stole our wedding rings. How do you sleep at night?

Matt Ashe 

Tuolumne

Hurricanes and God

To the Editor,

I know how to be popular. Ha Ha.

Hurricane superstar Sandy has plunged New York (our industrial capital), Washington, D.C. (our nation’s capitol), New Jersey (Jersey Shore playground), and many nearby states in that area into devastating suffering, destruction and despair. 

Also, remember the earthquake that unexpectedly hit our capitol and the Washington Monument Aug. 23, 2011?

These are not the first nor the last judgement by God.

An it is Halloween time, isn’t it? 

Some of our local people are leading so many of our young people into unknowingly worship of weird Satanic rituals, personal makeup and costumes. Why not abstain all appearances of evil?

Downright sin (offense of God) is rampant and prevalent in America. How can anyone expect blessing and prosperity from God (our Creator), when so many people are blaspheming (swearing) the name of Jesus and his word, the holy Bible?

Repent, repent — Mean to change your way of thinking. 

Bible text, “Humble yourselves … turn from your wicked ways … and God will heal your land.”

Remember, that God is a good God and wants good for everyone. 

Blanche Aphecetche

Sonora

ACA promotes healthier America

To the Editor,

Some policymakers, candidates and members of the media have claimed that the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) cuts $700 billion from Medicare. These claims are simply untrue. In fact, the nonpartisan Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) all agree that the ACA strengthens and improves Medicare.

MedPAC was established under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 as a nonpartisan agency to advise Congress on Medicare issues. For five consecutive years, MedPAC advised Congress to pay Medicare Advantage plans at the same rate as traditional Medicare plans, because Medicare Advantage was costing the government about 14 percent more than traditional Medicare. The ACA is now implementing this recommendation. The CBO estimates that equalizing Medicare Advantage payments will generate at least $170 billion in government savings over the next decade. 

With the ACA, the Medicare Trust Fund is expected to remain solvent for at least the next eight years. The Medicare Trustees report states that there is still a lot of work to be done to guarantee Medicare’s future. However, the CMS administrator wrote, “The Affordable Care Act is giving CMS the ability to do this work, with tools to lower costs, fight fraud and change incentives so that Medicare pays for coordinated quality care.”

The ACA is not relying on Medicare recipients to pay its way. There are many provisions in the ACA that provide revenues. But, most importantly, the Congressional Budget Office persistently reports that the ACA will actually reduce the budget deficits over the next decade. The CBO predicts that all spending on healthcare — by government, corporations and individuals alike — will stop rising so quickly. All nonpartisan reviews agree: the Affordable Care Act will promote a healthier America — and a healthier economy.

Kay Bargmann

Sonora

Vote No to bond Measure H

To the Editor,

I teach economics and government at Summerville High School; therefore, it is with sincere regret that I must encourage members of the district community to vote no on Measure H.

Upon the expiration of Measure Q, property taxes were to reset to the normal level; consequently, to continue property taxes with Measure H, albeit at a lower rate, still represents a tax increase.

For almost two decades I have complained that my classroom heating/cooling unit does not work properly. It puts out cold air, even in the dead of winter, so that some of my students are actually shivering in class. I was assured that Measure Q was going to remedy this unacceptable situation. To date nothing has changed.  

Instead, much of the Measure Q money went to “window dressing” types of projects like athletic fields and an overly lavish theatre for the performing arts. 

Once again, the community is being asked to “buy a pig in a poke.” 

Before taxpayers are required to shell out more money, they have the right to know with a reasonable degree of precision exactly for what the money is going to be used. It is true that absent the passage of Measure H desperately needed upgrades to the campus may go begging, but I would prefer that situation to the community giving the district more money that is, once again, misused on relatively questionable projects.

While I do not hold the present administration and school board responsible for the way in which taxpayers’ money was used in the past, any repeat of past misjudgements may be avoided by simply holding the Summerville High School District accountable before the fact. Demand the list of priorities first to see if your money will be well spent. Vote No on Measure H. 

T. Edward Christiansen

Twain Harte

TUD election

To the Editor,

I support anyone willing to get involved. But, if you’re going to run for the TUD board, you better do your homework, considering it involves: 53 miles of an open ditch system (if fails, could cut off service for up to 3 months. Ask what it takes to fix a section located on a wooden trestle 50’ off the ground in the middle of winter); 17 treatment facilities that require compliance with State/Federal Clean Water Act standards; being obligated to take over water companies that can no longer meet standards; being on the hook to provide sewer where failing septics impact ground and surface water; and, appealing to the state to secure “adequate” water supply in order to sustain existing needs/future economic development opportunities.

As a TUD customer (home, business, and Algerine Ditch user) I am well aware of rate concerns. The fact some running for the board believe employee costs are the only issue facing TUD is far more troubling.

These individuals say we have “abundant,” “more than enough” “clean water”. For the record, we don’t and neither does the State. We have no adjudicated rights to any waters that originate in our county.

“Fairness” is subjective at this point; dealing with reality is what’s at stake.

This board needs to be able to work towards integration of these issues and to understand the connectedness of this system as it relates to the State Water Plan. For this reason, I’m supporting the TUD Board incumbents, Behee, Dahlin and Ringen. I have worked with these men and know they have the knowledge and presence of mind to know that the decisions they make today have far reaching consequences for us all. 

Remember, when it got tough, Retherford resigned; these men stepped up.

Stephanie Suess

Sonora

Don’t support
S’ville bond 

To the Editor,

I’m an alumni of Summerville Union High School District. I’ve attended both Summerville Elementary and Summerville High.  I’ve taught kids for a total of 39 years, 29 at Summerville.

In 1998, the district passed $9.9 million Measure Q. History reflects leadership oversight and accountability in 1998 were non-existent. The taxpayer expected truth and honesty from our trustees. The situation now is very similar. 

More than $2.2 million was squandered due to the District’s incompetencies. The public was expecting athletic improvements, a library and new gymnasium. Instead money was used to remodel the administration office, build a library, theatre, construct a charter school and build a smaller practice gym.

The positive for SUHSD employees is looking forward to June 30, 2013. My hope is that SUHSD will have successfully eradicated two principals, a superintendent and hopefully refused to rehire David Johnstone (Dave Urquhart’s replacement).

In the past two years SUHD has paid over $154,000 for legal advice. Work at Thorsted Football Field has surpassed $70,000.

In conclusion, California is imposing a fire tax, we are paying on Measure Q and the Columbia College bond. 

Increases are certain in food costs, healthcare, fuel and sewer rates. Tuolumne property values are depressed, 401Ks have not recovered, jobs are scarce and tax hikes are inevitable at both the state and federal level. 

Nepotism continues at Summerville, while once prospering programs have been decimated by poor personnel choices and kids have been damaged.  

That’s why I’m voting No on H.

Lynn Culver

Tuolumne

Vote for Obama

To the Editor,

Don’t let Romney take credit for our turnaround.

Our country came extremely close to a financial meltdown under eight years of Bush.  Something the GOP and Romney both wish all Americans would forget, evidenced in part by the absence of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell and Rove at the Republican convention.  

They want you to forget the huge cost of the two Bush wars, deficit piling tax cuts, tax breaks for companies going overseas, removal of banking regulations, which were put in place after the 1929 crash to prevent a financial disaster from happening again. 

Lastly we were losing 800,000 jobs per month.

Romney says he will create jobs. Look at his record at Bain Capital. It shows a different story.  

Romney makes money for investors — he does not create jobs.  

Google “GST Steel” or “Sensata” to see firsthand the American jobs lost or transferred to China under Bain Capital.

The economy is turning around. The glass is half-full people. Small business optimism rising, home building rising, construction rising, jobless rate dropped from 10 percent to under 8 percent, and the Stock Market is back to where it was in 2008, something that took 25 years after the 1929 crash.  

There are financial indicators showing we may very soon experience a “Supercycle Bull Market.”  

In the last two months, foreign investment has amounted to $170 billion into the American Market. The rest of the world is very positive about America and the direction of its economy and the leadership of President Obama.

The president worked hard turning our country around. Don’t let Romney take credit for all the hard work President Obama did to get our economy back on the right track. Allow him a second term to finish the job. Nobody said it would be easy.

Ed Gorth

Sonora 

Say No to Romney

To the Editor,

Quote: “I would never do anything to hurt the auto industry,” Mr. Romney. 

He and his partner Paul Singer bought bonds from a company called Delphi. They make parts and were owned by G.M. The partners extorted Delphi on withholding steering columns from G.M. and refused to pay pensions and medical care for the employees. The U.S. Government paid for these pensions, etc. lost by this extortion. This money was suppose to save these jobs also. This money went to Romney’s buddies, Elliot Mgt. Corp. where he was a partner. As a result of this predatory capitalism all of the Delphi plants were closed and jobs sent to China.

The result: The Romney’s pocketed a minimum of $15 million to more likely up to $115 million. Do you wonder why he won’t release his tax returns? It’s a small example of how this guy works. Just last week he gave a speech on how he’s going to be tough on China while one of Bain’s plants closes and sends these jobs to China. Lost, over 100 $17 an hour jobs went to China for $0.19 cents an hour at Sensata, Freeport, Ill.

Is this the man we want for President? Not me! 

These two, Romney and Ryan, are the most dangerous people running for President since Goldwater. They’re both unqualified for the job.

Just a note. You can view both Obama and Biden’s tax returns on the Internet. 

All 11 years’ worth for those who want to know.

I loved the remark about Jeremiah Wright and Obama. How soon these evangelicals forget their own house. Remember Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard and the illustrious Terry Jones from Florida. You remember the Koran burner. Check these facts for yourself and see if you still want these two anti-American right wing Capitalists in the White House. 

Jim Hassay

Groveland

TUD race is complicated

To the Editor,

This year’s Tuolumne Utilities District race is more complicated than past elections. While the word incumbent appears by their names, Mr. Dahlin and Mr. Ringen were appointed this last year, to blame them for past decisions is unfair. 

For several decades the TUD has been using one-time hookup fees to cover its operational costs, not a sound business decision.

The economic downturn has forced a change in policy. In a panic, a major rate increase was proposed last year. The incumbents, the ones now under attack, voted down that large increase in favor of a balanced approach of serious cuts and smaller rate increases.

The result is clear: TUD now has a balanced budget. Their plan worked.

The challengers were stirred to action by the proposed large rate increase that the incumbents vetoed. None of them had been interested in the TUD before, they did not attend meetings or invest the time to find out what TUD actually does. 

The crisis that they formed to curtail has been averted: the TUD has a balanced budget; no large rate increases are coming. 

How do they propose to provide us with a secure water supply?

With band-aids and shortcuts.

What does TUD do? They repair nearly 300 mainline breaks annually for one.

They have to patch an outdated system that will fail if not revamped. TUD operates more than a dozen treatment plants. A plan to consolidate them and upgrade the pipes is under development now. This will lead to significant long-term savings.

Behee, Dahlin, and Ringen for TUD — No band-aids, no shortcuts.

Isaac Kight

Chairman, Gold Country Leadership Group

Jamestown

Just in from Libya

To the Editor,

It came down to the final inning last night at Kuvverupp Stadium located in Benghazi, Libya after the Benghazi Giants knocked 4 out of the park in the top of the ninth. The Midgets came up in the bottom of the ninth after what seemed like weeks, sending Susan Rice to the plate who promptly struck out.

Next up was H. Larry Clinton who was hit in the head with a fastball and was taken away babbling incoherently. Joey G. Biden was the pinch-runner, and while waving to fans, was picked off first base. Two outs.

Candy Crowley came to the plate carrying six bats. She was ejected from the game when she refused to relinquish the five extra bats and play by the rules.

To the plate strode Barry H. Nobama, the last hope for the Whitehouse midgets.

Barry’s had a tough year said manager Clint Eastwood,” he’s lost on all his investments and is being treated for delusion and depression by team psychiatrist George Soros.”

Mr. Eastwood said Barry showed signs of promise as a youngster and was the only player to go right from Little League to the Majors.

Three swings and three misses later Barry and the Midgets were out.

Coach Eastwood was quoted as saying, “ these guys are our employees and if they can’t do the job we just have to let them go.”

Later in the evening Eastwood said that Barry, Larry, Candy and Joey’s contracts would all be cancelled Nov. 6.

Ridge Schneider 

Sonora

Save us from
the Tea Party

To the Editor,

Barry Wilson in his October 18 letter compares the debt levels of 2007 with the current situation and hopes that the Tea Party will take over the Senate and “do what is obvious.” Oh, please. Selective amnesia is not a good basis for important decisions. 

Did he forget what happened in those “glorious times” four and five years ago? 

There was crisis that threatened to crash the whole financial system and the whole economy in its wake. 

I support what President Bush did: he pumped $700 billion into the banks to keep them from collapsing. Remember TARP? And we are still in recovery mode. We are trillions of dollars of dollars in debt — not because we like to spend but to stimulate an improving but still not exactly robust economy. Please save us from Tea-Party ideas. 

Klaus Kraemer 

Sonora

Vote Rodefer for Supervisor

To the Editor,

This is in response to a Letter printed Oct. 25, authored by Mike Macon. Macon essentially endorses Domenic Torchia as an opportunity to move the entire county government into a new direction of fiscal responsibility and “out in the open” government. Macon adds that Domenic will shine the light into the dark corners. Macon closes by saying Domenic will restore fiscal responsibility and transparency to our county government.

Regarding Mr. Torchia, I have several probing questions: Why has Domenic only raised 14 percent of his reportable funds in Tuolumne County?  This begs the question, if we are truly shining the light, what are Domenic’s donors from out of county buying with all that money?  Next, why has Domenic only spent 54 percent of his reportable campaign expenditures in this county ($5,000 spent out of county)? 

Talking about transparency, what’s all this money from out of county trying to influence in our local election? All these numbers are from the latest campaign filings to our own County Elections office.

Here’s real transparency: Karl Rodefer, candidate for County Supervisor, District 5, has raised 93 percent of his donations in Tuolumne County. Likewise, 99 percent of Karl’s spending has been made in this county ($400 spent out of county).  

So Karl’s not just running for local office, he practices “buy local,” as the chamber of commerce reminds us.

So, if you truly want fiscal responsibility, to shed light on the county’s processes, and transparency, a vote for Karl Rodefer for Tuolumne County District 5 Supervisor is a vote for principled leadership, uncompromising personal integrity, and accountability in our local government.

Let me know if there is anything else needed to confirm my submittal.

Michael Ayala

Sonora

Illegal rural fire tax

To the Editor,

I would be more than happy to pay my rural fire tax as soon as those along active seismic zones pay their earthquake tax, those in the floodplains of Sacramento Delta pay their flood tax, and for those foolish politicians that dream up this dribble, a hot air tax to boot.

Jeff Phillips

Sonora

History on Republicans’ side

To the Editor,

Jim Hassay’s Oct. 17 letters tell the “Republican Fascists to get their facts straight,” and that “right wing activists are the problem.” Eagles can’t fly with only left wings! One rarely hears Liberals described according to their proclivities as Communists (who are historically the only ones to use the term Fascists).

The absurdity of blind allegiance to beliefs formed by mass propagation becomes apparent when these beliefs are exposed to the light of reasoning and history!

Republicans this year have been charged with a “war on women;” and yet, the liberals have had a war against babies for 40 years with 60 million not seeing the light of day, and yet, those born have laws against harming them!

The Democratic Party “championing” blacks is another myth! Study the “Compromise of 1877” when the Democrats gave Republicans the Presidency in exchange for the Federal Troops removed from the Southern states; and then proceeded to remove Blacks and Republicans from elected offices and instituted economic slavery for another hundred years; denying blacks the benefit of scores of bills passed by Washington.

Third, this is the party that removed the Ten Commandments, prayer and any vestige of Christianity from public schools and venues in the past 50 years. Half of the delegates at the DNC wanted to remove God from the Democratic Platform. The first two things that are taken from any captive nation are their guns and their god, the Democrats are also working hard on guns. 

There is truth in the world, but people would rather believe the lies.

Veritas, a quocunque dicitur, a Deo est. “Truth, by whomsoever pronounced, is from God.”

Barry F. Wilson

Jamestown

Paul Ryan
and Ayn Rand

To the Editor, 

In their debate both Biden and Ryan claimed they are guided by their Catholic faith. But Paul Ryan instructs his staffers to study Ayn Rand, who to him embodies the essence of Republicanism today. 

Google Ayn Rand and you are in for a revelation! The philosophy she called “objectivism,” parallels that of Friedrich Nietzsche: some individuals are by nature so superior that they should not be constrained by the rules governing ordinary folk. Her books, which glorify railroad and steel magnates, reveal the origins of the newly deified “job creators,” as well as the despised ordinary workers. Her common folk, consistently portrayed as plebeian parasites, bring to mind Romney’s 47 percent.

Rand, avowed Atheist, gives both atheists and objective thinking a bad name. She embodies the antithesis of the teachings of  a Jesus dedicated to the sick and poor, or to the many Catholic priests and nuns devoted to the service of others. No eye of a needle should limit the power or wealth for Rand’s superhuman heroes, her Ubermenenschen. She expressly opposed charity and compassion and equated Jesus with communism. 

Seen in this light, “Let them die!” seems not just an aberration of crazed Republicans in a Tea Party style Romney rally, but the putrid core of a philosophy infecting the Republican Party.

No decent Catholic could embrace Rand’s views. Nor would any normal Protestant, Jew, Muslim, or Atheist buy into such perverse thinking, or such a malevolent world view. 

Yet this is the self-proclaimed core philosophy of a vice-presidential candidate, considered by his party as its “intellectual” leader. Paul Ryan was selected by Governor Romney, not just as a running mate, but as a potential President of the United States.

Paolo Maffei

Sonora

Republican economies

To the Editor,

In the parallel universe of Republicans, the overarching problem — other than abortion, gays and the supposed loss of our religious freedom — is the Federal debt. The stimulus failed! Forget the auto industry. Keynesian economics is discredited!

When his new, untried theory became the New Deal, Keynes, understandably, thought, “I hope this works.” Worried, FDR pulled back spending. Unemployment promptly resurged. The stimulus program was resumed. The Tuolumne County Veterans Hall, Columbia Airport and the road into Yosemite were all CCC projects of that deficit spending era.

Mainstream economists know the time to address the deficits is during prosperity. In recession, government must help, by spending. Remember! Clinton generated a surplus! Republicans pursued two wars on the credit card, reduced taxes to the wealthy and gifted Part D as welfare to the drug companies.

Republicans claim World War II saved the economy. Economists point out that if Hitler had never existed and the U.S. had simply built stuff and dumped it in the ocean, that too could have stimulated the economy. Today, we should be fixing deteriorated roads and failing bridges. Republicans invariably favor war as economic stimulus — and populist politics. They fervently oppose rebuilding the U.S. infrastructure.

After World War II, government spending and the GI Bill transitioned the country to an economic Golden Age. Unionized, well-paid workers bought the cornucopia of new goods. Mortgage rates were reasonable, inflation manageable. Other than the McCarthy madness, Republicans governed with Democrats as adults, while Fed Chairman Martin managed the money responsibly.

Today’s Tea Party Republicans bear little resemblance to Republicans of that era. Now, Paul Ryan, “intellectual” leader of the GOP, follows the philosophy of Ayn Rand: The wealthy are “job creators.” The rest of us are the 47 percent, the worthless masses, moochers “who don’t pay taxes.”

Gilbert Hofacker

Sonora

A plea for civility

To the Editor,

The race for Tuolumne Utilities District board has taken on an “us” vs. “them” mentality that serves no other purpose than to divide our community. 

If there ever was a resource that serves the collective interest it is water. One of the aspects I’ve most loved about Tuolumne County has been the belief that “small town civility” was still alive in our community. 

Unfortunately, as in many campaigns, the loudest voices are not always the most reasonable or civil. I encourage all voters to weigh the board candidates on the issues.

There is more than one issue in this race. Water supply for TUD is a problem. Any candidate that tells you otherwise is either misinformed or committing a gross oversimplification of the facts. Meeting state and federal regulations, while maintaining infrastructure that is up to 150-years-old is a problem. I’m not sure how rolling back rates and cutting staff addresses that challenge.

You may think your water bill is too high and that is fine; however, don’t confuse the amount of your last bill with the true monthly cost of water service. TUD bills water and sewer together and they bill every two months. So at a minimum, your monthly water bill is half the amount listed on your last statement. This may seem obvious, but it is a common misconception.

So when you see a paid political ad begin with, “Do you feel like you are being waterboarded by your waterboard” please ask yourself if that is the type of candidate you want representing you. Civility is the first step toward effective and meaningful public discourse.

Art Hewitt

Sonora

Ringen for TUD

To the Editor,

Wow! It sure is coming down to Election Day. 

My first comments are to Mr. Retherford: In your campaign to install your puppets to the Tuolumne Utilities District Board of Directors, you vocalize that the current board doesn’t deserve to be re-elected. 

Who are you to make this judgment call when you haven’t taken the time to see how much has been achieved since you resigned?  

And “thank you” for doing so.  

Ron Ringen has been present on repair jobs, taken pictures of failing systems, and documented facts on the improvements needed for future water needs. Mr. Retherford’s actions remind me of a child throwing a temper tantrum and casting aspersions elsewhere to make himself look good. It’s not working. It’s public knowledge while as director, Retherford voted for issues that helped cause the problems T.U.D. is faced with now. 

My second comment is to McHugh: T.U.D. can’t keep patching worn out water lines. You’ve seen the poor condition of water lines in Brentwood, yet you call it a “quaint” water system. Someday you might wake up and realize you really don’t want the water you drink to be coming out of these pipes. 

Frankly, I’m tired of all of us customers throwing good money after bad. We deserve better. 

To close, I need to comment on the actions of Kent Johnson and Michael Sarno at the Tuolumne County Business Council forum last week where T.U.D. candidates introduced themselves and presented what they will bring to the directors position. 

The verbal rudeness and confrontation to other candidates by these two is totally unacceptable.

Those actions alone should eliminate them from consideration for any elected position. I have confidence Tuolumne County voters are smart enough to read between the lines. The fastest and loudest speakers are not always the correct choice.

Gail Ringen

Columbia

Voters should
take note

To the Editor,

Voters wanting to be informed about the upcoming presidential election can certainly benefit from Joseph E. Stiglitz’s new book: The Price of Inequality: How Today’s Divided Society Endangers our Future. 

A Nobel Prize winner in economics, Stiglitz addresses our current plight by analyzing its causes and consequences. Reinforced by his outstanding background and supported by extensive research, he explains how and why this situation has come to be. Moreover, he also provides thorough and specific plans for resolving our problems, and turning them into a much more promising future for us all. 

The essence of Stiglitz’s work is based on the fact that 1 percent of the population controls 40 percent of the nation’s wealth, but — despite some rare exceptions — these oligarchs (let’s call them) either fail to understand or recognize that truly successful societies depend, for their “greatness,” how the other 99 percent live. 

He points out that economics and politics are necessarily bound together, and how that relationship has led us to become the most unequal advanced industrial nation on the planet; but he also illustrates how the 1 percent has not led us to this condition without enormous support from our elected representatives and the American public — both voters and, of course, those “citizens” who fail to vote. 

We know by now that money has corrupted our system, and that the only way to change that fact is by being informed, and therefore voting accordingly.

The information and insights that Stiglitz presents ought to help us realize that this election has the potential to be perhaps the most significant in our history, and that we have an extraordinary opportunity to help create a truly democratic republic — one that we can believe and take pride in; rather than simply take for granted as being “exceptional.”

David Fristad 

Crystal Falls

Vote for Measure H

To the Editor,

Please support Summerville High School by voting Yes on Measure H.

It will increase student access to technology; make health and safety improvements; modernize outdated facilities and systems. It will not increase the tax rate property owners

Linda DuTemple

Tuolumne

Support Measure H

To the Editor,

We normally don’t support higher taxes and bond measures, but Measure H deserves our support and yours too.  Not only does it make sense for our students, but it makes sense for us, the taxpayers.  Measure H will not increase the tax rate that voters are currently paying.  We feel it will be properly managed with the community oversight committee and will be of great benefit to our students, which in turn benefits our community, now and in the future.  Even if you don’t have children in high school, Measure H is a benefit to our community and future generations of Summerville students and citizens. 

Please vote yes on Measure H.

John Feriani

Tuolumne

Vote no to bond measures

To the Editor,

I recently read an article about school bonds being considered by voters locally and in surrounding counties. It described the difficulty of determining how much it will actually cost to repay a loan (bond) and how long landowners will be in debt. Estimated repayment cost covering local bonds (Measure J — Sonora Union High, $23 million, Measure H — Summerville Union High — $8 million) were not incorporated, but other districts were included. 

Ripon Unified School District want voters to approve $25.2 million in bonds — it ultimately will cost landowners $70.8 million over 36 years; Escalon Unified School District — $19.5 million bond — ultimate cost $72.8 million over 42 years.

Sticker Shock: In 2008, Poway Unified School District (San Diego County) secured voter approval covering $105 million in bonds. It was recently discovered that landowners will have to pay $981 million over the next 40 years to repay the bonds.

Interest rate and term dramatically impact the cost of repayment. Escalon property owners will pay no more than an extra $44.40 per $100 in assessed value for 42 years. The interest rate has not been provided to voters. This projection assumes that Escalon property values will climb 4 percent per year for the next 42 years — seems like wishful thinking at best.

We’ve been told Sonora High’s measure would raise annual property taxes by $22 per $100,000 of assessed value. That seems low, unless an assumption is built-in that has area property values rising significantly for the next several decades. My question is this: As with any loan, shouldn’t we all know how much it will cost to repay the locally requested bonds, along with how long we will be in debt?

The financial data is too sketchy: Vote NO on Measure J and H.

Ray Anderson

Sonora

Support Brennan for Supervisor

To the Editor,

A time to vote, a time to decide. First, I would like to express my appreciation to the County Supervisor that represents my district. She has been at it a long time. I can appreciate all the hours she has put in trying to make this county a better place for all of us.

Unfortunately, there were too many 4-1 votes with my Supervisor on the losing end of most of them. Sometimes I agreed with her reasoning, but most of the time I did not. It is for this reason that I urge voters in District 1 to support Sherri Brennan and cast your vote for her.  

I have talked to Sherri on several occasions and I think she is bright, articulate, and energetic. I think she will represent us all to the very best of her ability. I also think she is the type of person who will listen to her constituents and do her very best to help in any way she can. Whether you agree with me or not, at the very least make sure you vote come election time.

David Utecht

Sonora

Stop stealing signs

To the Editor, 

Hey, Tuolumne County! Please do not steal or damage elections signs. I know they have appeared everywhere, but they are expensive! 

I support Carrie Ashe for the Summerville Union High School District Board and have personally paid for and planted many of her campaign signs. They are not cheap, and it’s hard work climbing up those embankments! 

Everybody get out there and vote! 

We have some great candidates running in Tuolumne County this year! And, remember Carrie Ashe for Summerville High School Board! 

Jody Kellerman

Sonora

Vote carefully

To the Editor,

I want to thank Ralph (Retherford) for his October 18 letter. You are so right when you say the Tuolumne Utilities District needs new blood. The “transfusion” started with your resignation and the election of Behee four years ago, and appointments of Ringen and Dahlin this year. 

I urge voters to examine the facts regarding TUD. Take a look specifically at the years Retherford was a director. We have seen documentation showing years of income versus expenses which raised major concerns to us about what has happened under Retherford’s watch.
Who actually voted for the employee wage and benefit increases? Were the rates kept artificially low? How did the monies that were collected from connection fees that builders and developers get deposited and used, shouldn’t those funds have been put into a capital improvement fund? Has the infrastructure for our water supply been adequately maintained or updated, which, a capital improvement fund could have provided for? 

My husband Tod, and I have spent hours with Ron Ringen, including time at the flume and along the ditch, learning about our water supply that we have naively taken for granted. We have seen pipes that are massively corroded. 

Are we prepared to the best of our abilities to have water supplied to us without interruption in the event of disaster (natural or otherwise)? 

Make sure your candidate(s) are well-informed about the actual condition of the infrastructure of TUD, and what the value of each employee really is to the operation of TUD. Ask the candidates why they want to serve on the TUD board. 

Please carefully look at your choices before you vote to help ensure our water supply for our years to come. 

Marianne Ringen 

Twain Harte

Voting is important

To the Editor,

I’ve heard from numerous people lately, including my own daughter today, that they aren’t going to bother to vote because it won’t make a difference. Maybe one vote can’t make much of a difference, but together, we can make a big one.

If you don’t go vote then you are one of “we the sheeple,” content to let other people make decisions that will affect the rest of your life and the lives of your children. Vote and become a part of “we the people.” 

Together we really can make a change and it’s simple; go vote for anyone, of any party you choose, as long as they aren’t currently in office. If other words, use your vote to say you want to fire those people not doing their jobs. If the new ones don’t do their job, we can fire them as well.

I realize that we only have two choices for president and you’ll have to decide the less of two evils, as I did. However, for most public office there are usually more than just two candidates. It is possible that the people were fed up with their inability to accomplish anything but padding their own pockets; and that they weren’t going to be in office for long if they don’t do their jobs, they would be more inclined to work for us instead of for themselves, which certainly seems the case these days.

Please stop being one of “we the sheeple” and become a part of “we the people.” 

Just vote!

Gina Davenport

Confidence

McClintock will prevail; why?

To the Editor,

Though I have seldom heard or read anything about our local Congressman Tom McClintock, there is little doubt that he will be re-elected. Why?

Because he is a Republican and supports the Republican platform which was proclaimed at the Republican Convention in Tampa. For example, to help restore America’s greatness and prosperity, Mr. McClintock wants to ensure that American women are denied their reproductive rights and make abortion a crime. In other words he wants to keep government off the backs of women. A champion of free enterprise, he wants to return to Wall Street’s glory days of 1929 when government regulation was non-existent. 

(The Congressman would prefer to ignore the Crash of ‘29 and the subsequent Great Depression. In 1932, the unemployment rate reached 25 percent.) 

To provide additional security to American homes and businesses he will fight any restriction’s on the sale of assault weapons. 

Thus, an individual will be able to fend off mobs of lunatics. 

And after dismantling the Affordable Health Care Act, millions of newly uninsured Americans will be able to utilize the Emergency Room of their choice. And to increase private property rights Mr. McClintock will fight to eliminate the ERA and abolish clean air and water laws, thus restoring America as the land of the free.  

And of course a Romney and McClintock victory means no No more Obama signs on Phoenix Lake Road.

Daniel Connell

Sonora

Support Measure H

To the Editor,

Yes on Summerville’s Measure H!

Let’s get beyond all the nitpicking on the Summerville bond. We should remember this bond extension is all about students! We want them to have the best facilities we can muster. Yes, we have to pay for it. They are our students after all. For the district’s facility plan or to apply for the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, go to the school’s website and download it. 

Let’s turn out on November 6 and cast a vote for our students, our community, our future generation. Go Bears!

John Keiter

Superintendent

Summerville High School

Help our students

To the Editor:

Summerville High has my yes vote on Measure H.

I am a second generation Bear graduate, and my kids will be the third. Measure H deserves our support.   

We’ll be able to get some of the facilities that we’ve been wanting for years! 

Technology will be improved, buildings updated, and handicap access improved.  There’s a reason that Measure H is supported by the Tuolumne Chamber of Commerce, Supervisors, and local businesses. They all know that Measure H is financially good for our school and surrounding community property values. 

Great schools and communities drive up demand for homes in the area and increase property value. I own a home in Tuolumne, and am more than excited to show my support of youth in our community by voting YES on H. We are not leaving our kids with more debt, but investing in their future.

In turn, they will do the same for generations that follow.  If you support our kids, and believe that we can still make a difference in our own community, prove it by voting yes.

Dave Sanders, Jr.

Tuolumne

Vote out incumbents

To the Editor,

Trust is a remarkable thing. Trust allows us to rely on others for advice to help us make decisions and to oversee what’s important to us as a community. 

So what happens when one person or a group of individuals become motivated by self-gain regardless of the benefits or consequences to the community? 

Their efforts may be good for the individuals in charge, but the benefits are short lived and overtime, their system of operation will break down, often to the detriment of the entire organization. So trust matters and it comes from being part of a culture with a common set of values and beliefs. 

As a principled community of voters we need to root out those acting within the system for self-gain at the expense of the community, because when self-interest becomes the overwhelming motivation for seeking public office, overtime the entire system will become weaker and weaker until it fails in its purpose. 

Trust is the foundation for the advancement of our families, our community and our nation. 

Vote out the incumbents. Tuolumne Utilities District needs leadership we can trust. 

Ruanne Mikkelsen 

Sonora

Vote No on
Measure H

To the Editor,

To the taxpayers in Summerville Union High School District: Vote No on Measure H.  

We the taxpayers are hurting financially. 

Jobs are not to be found. Seniors are on fixed incomes and money is tight. 

The Union Democrat stated 50 percent of the students in Tuolumne County qualify for free lunches. 

If parents can’t afford lunches, we must be in bad economic times.  

We as taxpayers need to stand up and say “No new taxes!” 

Sure we need to stand up and support the students, but not right now. Let’s see what the economy is in two or three years before thinking about raising taxes. In the Voter’s Information Sample Ballot the rebuttal states, “Don’t let our opponent mislead you,” but arguments in favor of Measure H are not giving you the true facts.  

Here are the facts: Greg Isom of Isom Advisors is charging the taxpayers $70,000 to run the Summerville High School bond measure if passed. 

In 1998 Measure Q passed. Some teachers, including officers in Summerville High Chapter of California Federation of Teachers are opposing Measure H, because when Measure Q was passed in 1998, the people who pushed Measure Q did not get everything they were promised.  

Those supporting Measure H say it is not a new tax, don’t be fooled it is a new tax. 

How much interest will be charged to the taxpayers for the $8,000,000 over the years?

In the Sept. 20 Union Democrat, it stated the average Tuolumne resident is older and worse off financially than a year ago.  

I ask each taxpayer to look at their tax bills. 

We are overloaded with taxes. 

Please vote No on Measure H.

Jerry Morrow

Mi-Wuk Village

Vote against
Prop 30

To the Editor,

Survey after survey places California near the top of all states in per capita state and local tax collections and government spending. Yet proponents of Proposition 30 claim California ranks 47th in per pupil school spending.

This stark disparity points more to mistaken priorities than to lack of funding.

Send a message to the politicians and bureaucrats to do a better job of spending the money they already take from us before asking us for more.

Vote No on Proposition 30.

James Cottle

Sonora

Vote No on Prop 32

To the Editor,

Proposition 32 is a frontal attack by the rich against workers. Outside of a few government worker Unions, the U.S. has the weakest unions in the Industrial world. 

Even Iraq’s oil workers have a stronger union.

Hourly pay has not kept pace with inflation over the last several decades forcing working homeowners to borrow against their homes and credit cards (at 29 percent interest). 

Corporations already own Congress and the White House. 

Don’t weaken the unions further. 

The Supreme Court has endowed corporations permission to give unlimited funds to politicians. Let’s try to keep the playing field a little equal!

Our system of elections has given us two poor choices: Obama (who brought Wall Street employees into the government and used Afghanistan to appear macho) and Romney (who thinks the rich should pay smaller percentages in taxes than the janitor).  

Did you notice that neither candidate is talking about busting the big banks who are “too big to fail”?  

Wall Street’s greed and our system of financing elections has headed our country toward a “banana republic” status.  

Obama understands poverty better and will better protect the interests of the poor (the fastest growing segment of the U.S.)  

I’ll hold my nose when I vote for Obama.

Dennis Schnieder

Angels Camp