Changes since Obama has been in office
I read “Looking Forward” in Saturday Feb. 27th editorial by Craig S, who seems worried about nonexistent voters going to the “poles”: Research shows that when elections at the polls are competitive, the use of restrictive voter ID laws is a means of maintaining Republican support while curtailing Democratic electoral gains. Voter suppression is a serious infringement on democracy and seems to occur more frequently when there is a diverse electorate. I do not see it as a problem, and neither does the League of Women Voters or the Heritage Foundation.
Regarding Obama’s accomplishments which are not false and cannot be denied:
Using the term “falsified grandstanding and damaging antics” to describe what has taken place during Obama’s last two terms seems wrong when you consider the 32 million people who were formerly uninsured who are now covered. The American recovery and reinvestment has spurred economic growth as unemployment has subsided, creating 3.7 million new private sector jobs.
Our current president also passed Wall Street and consumer reform with the Dodd-Frank Protection which recapitalized banks. It is an attempt, it’s not perfect.
One of the accomplishments noted during the tenure of the current president is ending the war in Iraq. This area is still not stabilized, and a national emergency in that area has been declared instead. A drawdown in Afghanistan may be tenuous, but it’s a step in the right direction. A Post-911 build down of military hardware has been going on, without many people noticing. NASA and Reagan’s planned “Star Wars” was a boondoggle now ended, as well as a mission planned to the Moon (Bush). The International Space Station has replaced the retired manned space shuttle missions, all resulting in savings.
Obama removed banks from the business of student loans which will help students be able to repay the loans. Expanded Pell grant spending will help future students attend college. Obama has many accomplishments that go on and on, but efficiency standards for cars is a hopeful sign to take corrective measures against global warming.
Another important step that helps everyone is tripling the Americorp National Service capacity. When young and old people can travel and help others, it widens our perspectives. We saw the benefit of this at the Work Right Building since October when Americorp personnel helped out tremendously.
In many of these ventures, Obama was at cross-purposes with Republicans and often stymied in his goals and accomplishments. I saw a true leader attempting to accomplish his goals.
Ellen Karnowski, Kelseyville
It just doesn’t happen
Mr. Craig Stankiewicz is perpetuating a myth that the Republicans use to justify disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of eligible voters. Voter fraud is always cited when the Republicans want to require voter ID. The number of elections that have been decided by voter fraud is exactly zero. If Mr. Stankiewicz can find any evidence otherwise, I would much appreciate him presenting that information.
Kevin Bracken, Kelseyville
A better use
In response to Mr. Worth’s letter (2-27-16 “Take a Look”). I usually don’t respond to BOS decisions but this $60K expenditure to improve the image of Lake County would be best invested in hiring two part time veterinarians at $100K each to stop the euthanasia of so many abandoned animals. This is the worst shame and until the BOS acts on it, it is on their conscience! The BOS has the power to change “from worst” to “best county” status. How inhumane and cruel to have such a bad reputation. We deserve to be criticized and shamed for allowing this to happen.
Where is the infrastructure? There is the Animal Control out by the county jail, but what other cities have facilities? I hear Kelseyville has closed. This is something that can’t be shuffled around. We need a commitment to have permanent shelters and care in all locations.
As I recall, Lake County got a failure in all categories regarding tobacco use. The only “points” scored were for having public parks. Not for educating about the dangers of tobacco use like the tax was intended; all the tax was pilfered by the counties who cried “poor.”
Neil Young sang, “everybody knows this is no where.” We’re 59th of 59 counties! You decide.
Nine Green, Nice
Government and Apple
I feel that we are going about this in the wrong way. Lets use common sense in government and common sense business tactics. This could become a legal standoff that will not help anyone.
The information on this phone is very important because there could be another radical attack any minute, any hour, any day. I believe he FBI should call Mr. Cook and make an appointment, take the phone to Apple and say here is the phone unlock it yourself and give us the data inside and lock it back up. Give the FBI the phone … who cares, we don’t need the phone only the info in it.
But I understand Apple’s point and the privacy of other phone users that could be a detriment to Apple and them. It is so simple to give Apple the phone and let Apple pull out all the information instead of creating a massive standoff. This would be fair for everyone involved.
Smart thinking.
Ron Rose, Lakeport
