Now is the time to change policy

We Americans are thrilled and energized to have a new president who is innovative, conscientious and forward-thinking. Now let's hope he and the rest of our representatives and policy-makers begin to shake up the way our country creates and utilizes electrical power. Now, when we are facing enormous economic, environmental and national security challenges, when our employment rate is plummeting and fears of global warming are skyrocketing, we need to make some big changes.

I want our leaders to know that here in Southern California, we support "repowering" America with 100 percent clean electricity within 10 years in order to get our country and our environment back on track and moving forward confidently. We can do this -- yes, we can -- through energy efficiency, the use of renewable generation and a national unified smart grid. By repowering America, we will also be creating a new, feel-good industry with high-paying green jobs, lower energy costs and clean, domestic energy that is free and limitless to replace filthy coal and foreign oil.

As a citizen of America, as a resident of Southern California, I encourage our leaders to listen to our plea and consider the plan laid out at RepowerAmerica.org. We love the direction our country is leaning -- let's take it all the way!

Lisa Edmond

Temecula

Take time to read the Constitution

Larry Thompson chides Les Nursey in his Nov. 15 letter for his supposed misunderstanding about democracy and the courts, but after reading Thompson's letter, I would have to say he is the one who needs to read up on the subjects.

Thompson cites the Constitution as the reason the gay marriage ban should be overturned by the courts. The Constitution is a document that sets up the government of the United States and the separation of powers between the various branches of government. There is no mention of marriage, gay marriage or homosexuality in the Constitution. In fact, the 10th Amendment of the Constitution states "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

The founders of our country clearly meant for the states to set laws governing the affairs of the people, such as marriage. It is up to each state to set laws regarding marriage. Massachusetts and Connecticut allow gay marriage, which is fine by me. The other 48 states don't. The people of California have voted twice to ban gay marriage. There is nothing unconstitutional about it. I urge everyone to actually read the Constitution.

Gary Parkhill

Murrieta

Now who's showing their intolerance?

To all the gay people out there who cannot accept the vote of the majority of Californians on Proposition 8, let's set the record straight. The Constitution is not set up for gay people only or for gays to use the Constitution in an effort to deprive straight people of their constitutional rights. The gay populations protesting against churches with hate signs and blocking members from entrance is discrimination at the highest level.

Gay and lesbian groups have shown their intolerance of the straight majority's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman only. We do not believe that our children should be forced to believe man-and-man or woman-and-woman marriage is normal social behavior.

No civil rights have been violated with Prop. 8. Gay couples in the state of California have the same legal rights as married couples if they register as domestic partners. Talk about civil rights being violated. … That is what the gay communities are trying to take away from heterosexual couples -- their right to preserve the meaning of marriage as a union between man and woman.

Anne Pica

Sun City

We need to take care of our own

I just finished reading Jerry Pomeroy's Nov. 15 letter regarding universal health care and liberal presidents. I am 63 and have had no health care since being laid off. After loss of vision in my eye, I can't do what I was trained for and worked 30 years at. I rely on county doctors. Private health care said no go; you know, those pesky pre-existing ailments.

I spent all day recently at the county hospital. I'm told I won't be eligible for Medicare until I'm 66, by the way, paid for by U.S. citizens. Canada, England and other civilized countries manage health care for their citizens, but in this country it's called socialism and deemed undemocratic. My husband and I paid into the system of running this country all our working lives and never asked for a thing. For those who have health care, as I imagine Mr. Pomeroy does, this issue isn't important. But try being told you'll lose your sight without the proper care and then see how you feel.

By the way, I pay for services at the county hospital. It's not free. Senators and congressmen have health care paid by the citizens of this country for the rest of their lives. Why not the rest of us? Are they special? It's time to drop the right-wing crap and finally take care of our own. We sure don't have a problem sticking our nose and money into everything else. Good luck, President Barack Obama.

Mary Leon

Murrieta

Support teachers like Dave Evans

Since moving away from the Temecula Valley this summer to complete my degree, I enjoy checking on my former stomping grounds from time to time via The Californian's Web site. I was recently dismayed to learn about the actions of Fallbrook High School Principal Rob King regarding the alleged censorship of the student newspaper. From what I have gathered from this paper's reporting, Mr. King acted irresponsibly and vindictively by not only censoring the student publication, but also by canceling the journalism course and removing Dave Evans as adviser to the now extracurricular program immediately after Evans spoke out about the censorship.

Dave Evans should be commended for the effort he obviously devotes to his students by continuing the program once the course was canceled, and acting as an example to them by fighting for their First Amendment rights. Our schools need more teachers such as Mr. Evans. On the other hand, Mr. King's shameful abuse of power is damaging to both the educational experience of his students and the reputation of the community as a whole. I urge the school board to publicly reprimand Principal King for his irresponsible behavior in this matter.

Brendan McPhillips

University of Notre Dame

South Bend, Ind.