Thanks again to the Record-Bee, Tuesdays must be my lucky day for thought-provoking letters to the editor. I found that the whole page had something for my pea brain to think about.
Ms. Parkhill”s column has some merit, but I think she needs to give more thought to a couple points. The idea of boarding a tour bus for yard sales is an intriguing one. My problem is how many yard sales can you visit and how much time can be spent at each sale? The bigger problem might be what do you do with all the treasures you purchased?
It is kind of tough to get that new bedroom set or sofa on the bus.
Mr. Bone and Mr. Rose letters” address similar problems, but with different solutions.
Mr. Bone advocates the capping of salaries and a new rating system. Both are needed; unfortunately the salary cap is just a little too Socialist for my taste.
Compensations should be reasonable and based on performance. I think his new rating system has merit. Cost of living raises could be built into both ideas.
Mr. Rose feels we need to create our own power company. I am on board with that idea, but who needs chickens when we have a great source of energy right here in Lake County, the Geysers?
With all the power being produced by the Geysers why can”t they become the power supplier for Lake County and then sell the excess to PG&E or other power companies.
I am sure the Geysers can supply electricity at a cheaper rate to the consumer than what PG&E charges. We would not only be one of the cleanest air basins in California but one of the greenest.
To accomplish these reforms we would need to change how some governing bodies are selected. First you need to start at the top. Presidents and legislators are elected by the people. Unfortunately too many voters are not informed enough to make knowledgeable decisions.
Many voters seem to vote party or religious beliefs not on the facts or the issues.
You get the government you vote for.
When leadership changes are needed it can be done through the election process or with special elections.
Next change how the Supreme Court Justices are placed on the bench. Voters need to have a voice.
As I stated in an earlier letter it would appear they work for corporate America and the rich, not what is best for the country. The court seems to take the letter of the law into account when it benefits the rich and powerful, but when was the last time the spirit of the law was taken into account?
In other words what lawmakers meant when the law was first written. Next would be how the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is appointed. The appointee should have no connection to any business that the commission oversees.
The panel should be made up of educated citizens with a background in economics and the fields related to their oversight.
The commission needs be fair to both the public and business. I believe oil companies need to have some real accountability and should come under the purview of the CPUC.
Gas is no longer a luxury; just try to live without it. Even if you do not drive, petroleum products support most all facets of daily life.
As such gas and oil have become a necessity, not much different than electricity or water. Both the members of the Supreme Court and the CPUC should be accountable to the people and if needed be voted out.
I hope I have provided you with a little food for thought just as Mr. Bone and Mr. Rose did for me.
Ray Richards
Clearlake Park
