Letters to the News-Press

12/22/05

Campaign finance reform past due

When even the candidates themselves, without prompting, mention an issue, you know that it is time to address it and perhaps even do something about it. Perhaps you remember these post-election remarks, by both successful and unsuccessful office-seekers:

"We need to put a cap on campaign expenses" -- Mayor Blum.

"It is becoming more expensive and that creates some concern" -- Helene Schneider.

"To improve the system, we need to get around to public financing" -- Terry Tyler.

"The time for some kind of reform has come" -- Das Williams.

There are many examples to follow -- Albuquerque, Portland, Berkeley, and yes, Ventura. Both San Francisco and Los Angeles are organizing committees to study the problem.

Campaign Finance Reform is the next step in spreading democracy. How about a well-deserved gift for the voters of Santa Barbara -- organize a committee to study and create a Campaign Finance Reform ordinance, leading to approval of same by the City Council.

A great way to start the New Year.

David Wass, Santa Barbara

Shopping means profits elsewhere

Regarding the Joan Vennochi column, is shopping really patriotic? Because our balance of trade is so bad, China and other countries are buying our bonds, to keep our dollar afloat, at the rate of at least a million dollars an hour.

Most of this goes for oil to keep our standard of living where it shouldn't be. However, everything we buy in a store at Christmas means more money going out of the United States. After the store overhead, trucking and dividends, all the money goes overseas.

Keep in mind that you may be using American Express but Uncle Sam is using China Express. China is only too happy to loan us the money to buy their goods.

And Washington is printing bonds as fast as it can.

Catherine Coveney, Santa Barbara

Border security measures essential

Ibelieve that something like the federal border security measure presently under consideration is essential. It is paradoxical that we have troops dying for democracy, while Latino activists advocate undermining it.

Democracy and individual freedom in the United States emanate from residents abiding by the laws that are the agreed-upon rules of our society. Those who support ignoring selected laws for their special interests put us on the very slippery slope to anarchy. If everyone chose to do this, we would soon all live in chaos.

Rewarding illegal actions destroys the foundation of our society. It is the responsibility of our government to remove the incentive for illegal entry into the United States.

Gerald Shepherd, Santa Barbara

Illiteracy in U.S. means trouble

In a report on adult illiteracy in the News-Press, a top official in the government Education Department was quoted as saying, "Eleven million people is an awful large number of folks who are not literate in English, and therefore are prevented access to what America offers."

No wonder we are in trouble.

Dick Perry, Santa Barbara

Political trickery utterly disgusting

Many of us are neither Red nor Blue; we are deeply concerned and reflect on each issue. We believe in defense when it is necessary, in protecting the natural world that is our home, the home to our children's children. We do not believe in deceit and back-door politics. In fact, we loath the lack of integrity and fairness that America calls her foundation.

This inappropriate and embarrassing strategy of putting an Arctic drilling provision in a defense bill was so disgusting that I cannot contain myself.

To free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil by drilling in fragile environments is like 1950s thinking. It's the 21st century now. We have the technology to transcend dependence on fossil fuel completely.

But worse than this is when our political representatives use un-American tactics like Sen. Stevens. Many of us who support reasonable defense budgeting cannot tolerate trickery that puts oil drilling in the same bill.

Roger Jahnke, Santa Barbara

Oil drilling fiasco sets a new low

You'd think the Arctic Wildlife Refuge was the Middle East North, the lengths to which some will go to open it up for oil drilling. When, in fact, it won't help us at the pump or reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Something's fishy here.

The latest maneuver of attaching a drilling provision to the defense bill funding our troops really hits a new low. Hmm, polar bears on the left, one year's worth of oil on the right -- how can a girl decide? I know what I've decided and what California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has decided. Have you?

Cheryl Niccoli, Santa Barbara

Defense spending killing our country

Defense spending is sucking our country dry. Stop unwarranted, high-cost weapons and destruction of our environment. Your life and mine depend on a clean Earth and peace on Earth.

Merry Christmas.

Gilbert Robledo, Santa Barbara

Find true spirit of Christmas

In response to the writer who attempted to explain what Jesus would do if He were in the White House: How very presumptuous to assume to speak for God.

As I have grown in my faith, I have come to understand how we as Christians have alienated so many with such broad, judgmental statements. Who are we to say what He would do in any situation? Jesus Christ is Love, and yet He chased the money-changers from the Temple. He felt anger, He felt sorrow, and He wept. Over the years His name has been cheapened through cursing, through judging others in His name, and through irresponsible remarks made in "Christian love."

God is Love, Christ is Love, and the greatest commandment is to love one another as you love yourself.

Let's look deep inside and reflect that love to those we meet so that all can find the real Spirit Of Christmas.

Shari Herzog, Santa Barbara