Police, fire unions' benefits offensive
I would like to commend Oceanside Councilman Jerry Kern for looking into the pension giveaway to our police and fire unions. After serving my country for 20 years, I retired at 50 percent of my base pay. I could have maxed out at 75 percent had I served a full 30 years.
During that time, I had to endure the hardships of deployment away from my family (six years) and risking my life in defense of my country. The police and fire unions get to retire at 90 percent of their pay, which averages more than $100,000 a year after working that same amount of time. The fire union guys only have to work 10 days a month to make more than $100,000 a year in stations that have individual recliners and gourmet kitchens (go tour Fire Station #7).
What is beyond belief is that these people have the audacity to fund a recall against Councilman Kern because he questioned their sweetheart deal! I guess they feel it's OK for us to work until 70 so they can retire at 50 at 90 percent of their pay. What's most offensive is that Oceanside taxpayers pick up the entire retirement cost!
John Meyers
Oceanside
Government 'of the people' just an illusion
Kevin Hsu (Letters, July 12) mistakenly portrays my position as "the state has no right to take away driver's licenses." My position is actually that the state has no rights at all except what it usurps from its people.
What I also tried to show in my last letter (July 7) was that the idea our government is "of the people, by the people and for the people" is an illusion. It would be ridiculous to think that a government "of the people" could grant privileges or discriminate (against itself?), since a privilege provider is an inherently different entity from the privilege receivers.
What we find, though, is government will use phrases such as these to create an illusion of legitimacy in order to keep its people subjugated. Some might say, "But this is the greatest country in the world!" Even if this is so, just because you have the best master around doesn't make you any less a slave.
But I'm getting tired of these responses attacking positions I don't hold or calling my logic flawed because they don't understand my position. So if you have a comment, please e-mail me at thelibertariansociety@gmail.com.
Steven Holman
Escondido
A heartfelt thanks
On Saturday, while at the Mission Montesorri School's "Christmas in July," my sister, Vicky Johnson, had a medical emergency. Our thanks to all the folks who stepped up to help, the paramedics who arrived promptly and to Dave, who knelt by my sister's side and talked with her until the medics arrived.
I, too, was treated with care and concern. Vicky is home from Tri-City Hospital after receiving the care she needed. Our thanks to the staff there, especially cardiologist Dr. David Spiegel.
Verna Woolery
Oceanside
End socialism now
It is time to end this socialist course of the U.S.A. We don't need government to tell us what to do.
First, cut all the government jobs. Second, tell your parents or grandparents to forget about their Social Security check or Medicare and quit whining about having to eat cat food or their prescription costs. They won't have either.
Next, what do we need a socialistic fire department or police department for? That should be deregulated. "Oh, very sorry, sir, that a burglar is in your house and threatening your family, but that credit card number did not go through. Do you have another card?"
Please stop the McCarthyistic fear-mongering about socialism. It all goes back to checks and balances. Look at what the banking industry and Enron did to us without any checks on them by the Bush administration. Enron defrauded California for $30 billion in one year alone.
It is sad because at one time, we had evolved beyond sweat shops, monopolies and child labor. Why move back in that direction instead of providing health care for millions of uninsured children? Shame.
Robert Watson
Carlsbad
Term limits gone wrong
When California voters had the opportunity to establish term limits for elected state officials, we voted overwhelmingly in favor of the idea, including me. We were finally able, so we thought, to get the fat cats out of office and elect younger, more aggressive legislators. Well, it didn't work. What we ended up with were neophytes who took a year or two to get oriented, thus spending half of their elected life learning the ropes instead of solving problems.
Now, we have a group of self-serving union executives who want to implement term limits for our Board of Supervisors ("Union launches supervisor term-limit campaign," July 15). If the concept didn't work in Sacramento, why should we expect it to work in San Diego?
Term limits are a bad idea that no one should support. Regardless of what your opinion of any of the five county supervisors is, term limits will end up replacing a governing body that has given us a AAA credit rating and kept us out of financial trouble. Use the ballot box if you want to replace your current supervisor. Vote for the most worthy candidate instead of cutting the legs off of those who have proven their effectiveness.
Thomas Francl
Escondido
No ObamaCare for me and mine!
We do not need federal health care! Look at what has been happening in Canada and the United Kingdom. People have to wait for months to see a doctor. In some cases, there are so many people waiting to get a family care doctor that the province actually has a lottery to draw names each month to see who finally gets a doctor to get in the waiting line to get an appointment.
We complain about waiting a few days or weeks! Doesn't the alternative sound just peachy?
Besides all this, our "free" health care will cost trillions of dollars, and guess who pays for that? We do, and the small businesses will have to help. If we think unemployment is bad now, just wait!
No ObamaCare for me and mine! Americans, wake up! Say no!
Peggy Taylor
Vista
Thank Marines for the ability to spew hatred
I don't appreciate being called ignorant by Mr. Chris Pulse (Letters, July 18). That implies lack of knowledge. I've been a student of military and world history for years and continually educate myself on these matters.
Yes, the Arabs really don't care about what happens in Iraq! Why haven't they supported the Iraqis in their time of need? I haven't heard of any Saudi, Syrian or Iranian troops sent in to deter the "hated" Americans. They're too busy collecting profits from their oil deposits.
Hey, if Chris despises the U.S.A. so much, why is he still living here? After all, if it weren't for the U.S. military, he wouldn't be able to espouse his vitriolic hatred for them. The U.S. Navy turned the Japanese back at Midway; the U.S. Army helped defeat the Nazis in Europe and the U.S. Marines suffered at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Iwo Jima so he could have a forum to spew his distaste of them!
… Remember the quote, "America â"â" love it or leave it!"? In this case, I think it applies to Mr. Pulse! I'm curious â"â" has Chris ever served in the U.S. military?
Jack Strumpf
Escondido
Tired of so-called 'homosexual agenda'
I am sick of hearing about the "homosexual agenda" as repeated by Edward Karlson in his defense of Frank Lancelotti, on Saturday, July 18.
My son, of blessed memory, did not choose me to be his mother, he did not choose to feel different and shut out, he did not choose to have his car stolen at gunpoint, he did not choose to be fired from his job when his superior told him to trust the man who stiffed the hotel. He did not choose fear and ostracism over acceptance.
At 19, he chose to confide in his parents, he chose to trust our love for him. Eventually, he chose a life partner and together, they chose to live a normal life of work, housekeeping and good times with friends. Their "agenda" was to be independent and happy. That is an agenda no different from the one I shared with my husband, of blessed memory.
What went on or goes on behind anyone's bedroom doors is nobody's damn business!
Agnes Herman
San Marcos
Why aren't important questions answered?
Did you ever wonder why we have a water shortage that is affecting city citizens? Why is Oceanside issuing more and more building permits? Where is the water and increased sewage treatment coming from? A good example is Piazzo Del Oro, a 243-unit townhouse complex at Del Oro and West Vista Way, and there are many more just like it.
If the Chargers build a stadium here, where is that water and sewage treatment coming from? What about the new tourist center and hotel? Same problems. Doesn't the city make money issuing these permits at taxpayers expense? You bet, mucho!
Why doesn't our California government ever mention the real cost of supporting illegal immigration? Arnold says it is somewhere between $2 and $8 billion a year. How many teachers, lawmen and firemen could you hire for $8 billion a year? Thousands.
What about our city code enforcements pertaining to single-family residential areas? Why doesn't the city bother to enforce the existing rules? Why doesn't the City Council demand enforcement of the city residential zoning rules? Why establish a city code if you won't enforce it, even when citizens register complaints?
John Wanczyk
Oceanside
Enlightenment is a process
Why are words like "empathy" and "compassion" suddenly vilified? The true greatness of any society is quickly judged by the way we treat each other, especially the downtrodden. Empathy is the sign of caring for someone other than oneself. Why is that bad? An egalitarian society should not be constrained by dogmas written centuries ago by men who could scarcely imagine the sophistication of knowledge available to us today.
These esteemed writers were slaves to their ignorance of basic scientific principles which are now beyond any acceptable dispute. Too many people live their lives in a box built centuries ago by men who thought they knew all the answers. News flash â"â" no one will ever have all the answers.
Enlightenment is not a destination. It is a process that will only end when we stop asking questions. R.I.P. Walter Cronkite.
Nathan Wesley
Solana Beach
How to pay for the Kern recall
Being out of country for the past three weeks had advantages, as I've missed the fun and games of the Jerry Kern recall. Now that the recall might happen, let me suggest how to fund this disaster.
First, take two leaders and their pathetic group (Mackin, Krammer and group) and have each of them contribute $50,000 to the city of Oceanside. Then, let the two city unions that supported the recall each contribute $100,000. We now have $350,000. Finally, the approximately 17,000 people who signed the recall should each send to the city $100 each. This gives the city close to $2 million.
Now the city does not need to spend my money to have the recall election. In the event that Mackin, Krammer and group do not want to orchestrate another recall on anyone else, the money could then go to the schools, parks or some other worthwhile activity.
How about this, Mackin, Krammer and groups? Are you willing to pony up money for this mess you caused, or leave it up to us citizens?
Ken Hacker
Oceanside
Don't call me sweetie
When I go into a store, be it a Wal-Mart, grocery store or a Neiman Marcus, I do not appreciate being referred to as "sweetie," "dearie," "honey" or whatever. I am not your sweetie or honey, etc.
I am a first-generation American (my elders are from Europe). These terms are considered extremely rude and inconsiderate. Managers must tell their employees to use respectful terms like "sir" or "madam" or just say, "Can I help you?" and leave it like that.
When I refer to these same people as "poopsie," "sweet buns" or even "sweetie bug," they are obviously uncomfortable. I hope they learn from that, but I doubt it. If you don't refer to the first lady, the pope or your boss as "dearie" or "honey," don't refer to your customers as such either. It's so irritating, and though I might very well return to your store, it will be much less often, if at all.
Phoenix Mackenzie
San Marcos
Stuck with SDG&E
San Diego Gas and Electric is putting large ads in the North County Times saying it wants to meet with us and discuss how it can help us. Does SDG&E really think that we fire victims want to sit in a room with the company whose negligence devastated our lives, physically, emotionally and financially?
I am one of the lucky ones who, on a tight budget, managed to rebuild a house on my original site. But having attended all the fire recovery meetings since, I have many neighbors and now new friends, who are still in shock and turmoil. …
My new house is so fireproof that … my builder says it would be hard to set it on fire, so I would hope I might be able to stay here. But without electricity, just because there is a wind blowing, that will be impossible. If their equipment is properly installed and maintained, winds would not be blowing their lines together to spark and set alight. …
But then in the UK, we also had a choice of who was our power company, hence we could shop around for better prices and service. We are stuck with SDG&E!
Delyse Sharpe
Fallbrook
