Basic politics
I probably am naïve, but I am appalled at the number of “candidates” for the Republican Party’s candidate for president. As for naivety I find I have this strange belief that my country is a 50.1 percent democracy, where the voice of the voter is honored. Seems to me that each election should deal with a difference in ideological philosophies, not the individual/personal views of the several candidates who feel they are capable of leading a democratic nation. We vote for “representatives” who, allegedly, represent the views of their constituents. By their leadership they may to try to influence the views of their constituents, but essentially they are not supposed to have any more influence than any other individual of those that voted for them, only to represent their views as a group and provide leadership. Any elected official should use his presence and personality to push the views of his electorate, not his personal feelings. Pretty obviously this is a potential problem for a lot of would-be leaders.
I would hope there is still time for the major parties to prepare and present to the public some of the most important planks in their (party’s) platform. These, then, could become the basis for questions in future debates targeted to how the candidate would approach each position and the voters could choose who they felt most comfortable with.
Pretty obviously there will always be minor variations due to personalities, but these should be ironed out before the either/or election. I feel it is not to the country’s advantage to have a congress made up of several hundred “my way is the party way” voices as we seem to have today. Certainly hasn’t worked well in the last few years.
It would probably serve our country best to have elections based on pertinent issues and competencies rather that personalities and popularities.
Guff Worth, Lakeport
Short Stories from the State of Jefferson
“Mr. Baird! Mr. Baird! Come quick! A WILDFIRE has broke out in the hills! What are we gonna do?”
“No worries, Citizen! Round up the Greenshirts and pass out the shovels and before you can say ‘We don’t need you, Sacramento’ we’ll have that bad boy put out!”
“Oh, thank you, Mr. Baird. Bless you!”
NEXT WEEK: Higher Education comes to Jefferson
Tom Koski, Upper Lake
Gratitude
Rocky crossed Highway 20 near Landrum’s chaparral. The smoke went up; the wind was bringing Rocky our way. A fire captain came by and it was time to go. During the Wye fire, I evacuated to the Moose, so I headed there when Rocky threatened my home.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to those volunteering who cared for so many of us: 5-star meals, snacks, drinks of all kinds … I was parked near the rear, for the front of the lodge was standing room only after awhile they started coming — cars, trucks, mini vans — responding to the call, “Our neighbors need help.” After a couple of days the overwhelming response was beyond belief. Meat, fresh fruit, donuts, pizza, ice chests, canned goods, toiletries, clothes, bedding, paper goods, dog food, kids’ toys, books. I can’t explain the overwhelming response and generosity of Lake County and surrounding communities. There was not a want or need that wasn’t filled. RNs were present for the infirm. Port-a-potties were brought in at no charge to ease the strain on the septic system.
Rocky’s tragedy was transformed into a happening of human kindness that brought tears to my eyes more than once. Updates three times a day assured and comforted. We were taken care of by people we never met, some who didn’t know each other who just pitched in and went to work 24/7 and didn’t stop till long after we were all gone home, in the time I was at the Moose.
In closing I didn’t hear a foul word or argument. All I heard was, “how can I help you get through this horrible tragedy,” and that is called brotherly love and that is human kindness here in Lake County. We are the last of the wild bunch: a fierce, independent, very proud people. Sometimes meaner than a rattlesnake on a 100-degree day; then there’s tragedy and we fight to protect our own.
Joe G. Welz, Spring Valley
Author and reader
The best reading of a script is done by the author of it. He communicates from inside of it, from the very making of it. Other readers of the script see it from the outside. They see only part of it, and even this part is saturate with the formative experiences of one who is not the author of it. This gives the reader who is not the author of it a creative advantage. It makes a new basis for the script, a different point of view from which to create new thought. This is an important reason for having a problem worked on by a committee rather than by a single individual.
Dean Sparks, Lucerne
