Focus 2050 - Mitigating climate change

The North Coast League of Women Voters urges area citizens to read the San Diego Foundation's recent report "Focus 2050: San Diego's Changing Climate: A Regional Wake-up Call" (www.sdfoundation.org). Based on solid and sustained scientific research, the report is the first comprehensive study of the probable impacts of climate change on our region. Its value to the public lies in specific recommendations for what individuals, businesses, industries and our governments can do to make sure that San Diego County remains a livable place.

The leadership necessary to sustain a high quality of life rests primarily with local, county and state governments, which have the authority to develop and enforce policies.

The League of Women Voters has joined the growing number of organizations urging our cities to work together on a regional plan in order to face squarely and deal intelligently with the profound changes that are coming in the next decades. The report also, however, lists a number of specific actions that individuals can take to counter the impact of global warming. Every one of us should join in the effort, and soon.

Margaret Dornish and Veronica Seay

co-presidents,

League of Women Voters,

North Coast

San Diego County

Is Escondido really that broke?

Is the city of Escondido so broke that it needs to measure how close I am to the curb? I was given a ticket today for $40 for not having my wheels sitting within 12 inches to the curb. I explained to the gentleman in the cart that I am not about to park that close to the curb when there is glass, paper and rocks that close.

To my knowledge, there has never been a street sweeper on this street, East Fourth Avenue. I told him that the city will have to take me to court in order to get any money out of me, and he just laughed. It must be nice to play make-believe cop! Let me tell you that there are plenty of other places to have him patrol than East Fourth.

Tell me, city of Escondido, if you have money to give to the California Center for the Arts, then you don't need my measly $40.

Janet Dickens

Escondido

Better stimulus bang for the buck

Our economic collapse should show anyone that our culture was an unaccountable hollow shell of unsustainability. The real part of our economy -- consumer spending and debt -- has turned on us; one part died and the other rules. The houses of cards can't fix itself, and that only leaves our government; ourselves in representation and credit.

Moody Financial Services analyzed past stimulus spending and concluded that tax cuts of $1 delivered $1.02 back into the economy. Weak, but hey, it's stimulation, GDP growth. Not a lie, but not the truth. Truthiness. Direct government spending into the economy delivers $1.59 for every $1 spent. Food stamps return $1.73 to the economy for every government $1. Tax cuts are obviously the weakest way to stimulate a flaccid economy.

Since we're funding the recovery, we should steer it in a new direction. If the world is as flat as Tom Friedman explains, then we will face a huge downward compromise. Tariffs are illegal. Think of this: Denmark doesn't make cars, so they can and do have a 300 percent tariff on imported cars. That could be our future without uniting and revising our course.

Richard Crews

Encinitas

Free money

I have a problem. With all this stimulus money now available to jump-start the economy and give money to the less fortunate, how do I get some of it?

I have never been to an unemployment office, or asked for a small-business loan, or been on welfare, or received food stamps, or received Section 8 assistance, or you get the point. I have never asked the government at any level to assist me in all the years of my working life. So, you see, I don't even know how to ask.

I was always taught to work hard, save money and pay my taxes. Now when I am old and cannot work as in my youth and I need to use my savings in retirement, they are taking it all away and giving my money to the less fortunate who have not taken care of themselves. What's up with that, Mr. President? Please leave the economy alone and it will fix itself.

Larry Ciuffo

Escondido

Provide for the common good

Recently, a letter writer stated "Our Founders clearly defined the limited role of federal government: Provide for a common defense, and conduct international and interstate commerce. They considered education, health care, religion, etc., not to be the business of the federal government." (Letters, March 6).

I suggest that the author of the letter re-read Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which states: "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States."

Also, I would like to remind all letter writers that name-calling (i.e. - "Does [your] flag include a hammer and sickle?") detracts from the points they're attempting to make. The North County Times does a wonderful job of providing a space for readers to comment on the news articles and other letters to editor and we should not use it for such pettiness as name-calling.

Richard Bova

Escondido

Education is stimulus

Our youths deserve a more promising future. Academic restructuring is needed, but not by closing schools and losing valuable teachers. High school drop-out rates are unacceptable and the college grads who majored in anthropology and partying are discovering their degrees are worthless in the workplace.

Let us give our kids a head start by evaluating their aptitudes and interests in junior high. At this point, with guidance counseling, a student can elect for vocational training in a variety of fields, or continue on in high school to be groomed toward college. Drop-out rates would decline, more qualified workers would be available for workplace entry and it's a no-brainer win-win. Reopen closed schools and staff them with laid-off teachers as vocational instructors.

Incidentally, a cut of freebie scholarships as training camps for the NFL, NBA and other enterprises would make more college seats available and save the taxpayers money.

Roy Leo

Oceanside

Detroit needs to build better cars

The bailouts of the U.S. auto manufacturers have my reluctant approval only because the companies' bankruptcies would impact countless thousands of people nationwide. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the U.S. auto industry is clueless as to what it is doing wrong.

I strongly urge every member of Congress to look at the latest issue of "Consumer Reports," which has detailed analyses of every make and model sold in the U.S. It will become immediately obvious that price is not the factor behind dismal sales. Quality, reliability and dependability are what consumers want. This same issue should be required reading by everyone in the auto industry: executives, union officials, and workers on the lines.

The sad truth is that with very few exceptions, U.S. cars are far behind Japanese cars by almost all standards. Should the U.S. consumer buy American out of pure patriotism (thereby perpetuating the problems)? Would patriotism not be better served if Detroit produced better cars and was then really able to compete?

Cornell Jaray

Oceanside

Be 'green' when planning projects

I am wondering why is it that whenever builders build schools or housing projects, "greens" are never spared? Water is at a premium; rain is scarce. Not only money for water, but also maintenance and care. Would it not be easier to keep clean and more space for walking and using in case of an emergency?

I hate to see all the water running down the street gutters. Please, please stop trying to make everything pleasing to the eye. Remember, "green" and stop wasting our H20.

Here's hoping someone's listening.

Jeanne Abele

San Marcos

A job well done

As my travels to and from work take me along Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove roads, I was most recently impressed with the grinding and resurfacing of both of these streets. In a time of economic slump where cutbacks are every place you turn, it was nice to see actual progress on our roads being repaired and maintained as they should be.

I was lucky enough to witness all stages of construction, from setting up traffic control to grinding, asphalt overlay and striping. As my profession revolves around this type of construction, I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the entire procedure and with the quality of work the county and its contractor provided.

If you are reading this commentary and were involved with this construction, please pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Your work is much appreciated.

Pete Pollero

maintenance supervisor

City of Escondido

Proper flag etiquette is vital

As I drive through our North County, I am pleased to see so many businesses, homes and apartment dwellings displaying the beautiful flag of my country. The flag displays on the homes in our complex are very impressive and important to us.

This letter is sent to highlight unacceptable displays of unintended disrespect to the flag we fly and love. I am certain that most of the disrespect results from the displayers' lack of knowledge regarding flag etiquette. Many of the flags are worn, torn or sagging just a few inches from the ground.

The Boy Scouts will dispose of them in a respectful way. Veterans organizations can provide discriptions of proper flag etiquette. Let us display our flag with the honor it deserves.

Paul Berkos

(retired) Army Col.

San Marcos

Bilbray survey was slanted, misleading

A recent message on my answering machine stated that a survey out of Washington, D. C., was being conducted, and that I might get a return call. The next evening, I answered.

The male voice reported that a quick survey was requested. The questions were general, mostly about my positions on present political issues and satisfaction with the government.

Only a yes or no answer was allowed. I stumbled on the question, "Do you believe that marriage is between a man and a woman?" Pausing and not pushing a number, the recorded voice kept repeating the question. I wanted to know the rest of the questions and pushed the yes number. Later, after the survey ended, I wondered why the word "only" was left out.

The ending explanation revealed that the questionnaire was from my representative in Congress, Brian Bilbray. The questionnaire was skewed to exclude those of us who understand that the word "marriage" can refer to contracts between same-sex individuals, and even the way two flavors complement one another in a dish.

I am annoyed with skewed surveys and slanted questionnaires are doubly annoying.

Lita Bowles

San Marcos

The audacity of financial child abuse

Our government is truly arrogant, insolent and impudent (the very definition of audacity) as they go about spending titanic amounts of money on noncritical, unnecessary and often unpopular projects that can only be repaid by taxes collected from today's children and children yet unborn.

No Taxation Without Representation is still relevant in the 21st century and must be applied to the financial child abuse that is being perpetrated on our children. Child abuse is a crime prosecuted in most every society. Yet, America marches on with little outrage for proper treatment of the defenseless children who certainly will inherit the gigantic "stimulus" debt.

No one can reasonably argue the arrogance demonstrated by the very few who now wield the power within our government as they drafted the legislation in the dark of night, then imprudently rushed it to a vote without allowing those who were to vote any time to read, study or debate its contents. Those same leaders are now insolent in their defense of their actions as they employ fear mongering and apply condescending labels to the opposition who hopelessly call for due process and fair representation.

Harry Munn

Escondido

Get public pensions more in line

I was amazed to read the reaction by the union in regard to the high pension "potential" in Carlsbad: "No one stays so long to get it." The issue is that the pension contribution is based on this high pension goal; therefore, all the actual pensions are based on this high-pension base! So Carlsbad citizens have to understand that actually "everyone" gets this high-pension, adjusted by the time in the system. With such a public pension you can easily retire at 55 -- you get health care too!

Reducing the highest pension goal to a highest pension of 80 percent after 40 years with a linear formulae and increasing the vesting to more than 60 years would have an enormous impact on the city contribution to the system -- and it would still be a great pension by any standard. Maybe someone should show the union boss the report in the North County Times from Feb. 25 ("City explores pension system options"), that 40 percent of the seniors in this county are barely making it because they have to live from much less, after 40 years of contribution.

Let's change the public pension to be more in line with normal citizens!

Walter Koenig

Oceanside

Why we bail out Wall Street

In his Feb. 27 letter, Don Landis asks, "Why won't the government allow large corporations to fail?" The answer lies in Lehman Bros., whose collapse we now know was the catalyst that ignited the U.S. subprime crisis into a credit and financial crisis worldwide.

Of course, inherent in capitalism is failure. However, the capital markets have become so intertwined that the unexpected failure (before counterparties can unwind trades) of large financial firms threatens global finance. I'm not just talking stocks here. In Lehman's wake, the credit lines that countless businesses rely on to fund operations froze. The yields on Treasuries (theoretically a "riskless" asset) dipped negative for the first time ever.

In Iceland, three major banks failed, leading to the ultimate bankruptcy of the country as a whole.

To employ a worn analogy, each bank is a domino that, when toppled, fells countless others. Such is why a Republican (capitalist) administration whose Treasury secretary was an ex-investment banker (capitalism's personification) set the very uncapitalist precedent of backstopping Citigroup and others. Not doing so would result in fallout of unprecedented magnitude. If Lehman collapsing could wipe out Iceland, and Lehman was a fraction of Citigroup's size, well, you do the math.

John Matthews

Escondido