Sunday's Letters to the Editor

Turn off the TV

EDITOR: I think that kids these days watch too much TV, causing them to not do well in school. And, now that it’s summer, kids don’t have school, so they’re probably watching more TV when they could be playing outside or reading a book. In my house, I don’t have cable, and I’m only allowed to watch movies on weekends.

I have gotten wonderful grades, and I am an expert at reading. I am always excited to go to the library or Borders. My brothers have gotten good grades as well. One of my brothers can read a Harry Potter book in one night.

I play soccer, so that keeps me outside exercising. Maybe standing in a goalie box the whole time isn’t exercising, but I still have a wonderful time.

Since my parents have made these decisions, I have had a great start in my life. So I want to say to all of the parents out there, don’t let your kids miss out on a good book or the nice weather because they are sitting in front of a TV. I encourage everyone to turn off their TV and enjoy a great book.

MEGAN KLEE

Age 9,

Rohnert Park

EDITOR: Red-light running is at epidemic levels and is seen in all of the towns and cities throughout this county. I don’t need to tell you about this; you’re probably like me — pretty fed up with it. You see it in all locations: shopping areas, neighborhoods and thoroughfares.

I guess these drivers must be getting to something far more important than the importance of me getting home to my family, or getting to and from my job or shopping. I want to say this because this type of action (knowingly passing through a stop sign or red light) is just as bad getting behind the wheel impaired by drugs or alcohol.

VINCENT MULLIGAN

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: California legislators should force the issue of the budget crisis with the federal government. Taxes collected from California account for 15 percent of U.S. revenue, about $400 billion annually. California tax revenue is a public resource. Instead of this gigantic money stream being used for the betterment of Californians, it is shoveled to New York bankers who caused the financial mess.

Sacramento County is laying off at least 210 sheriff’s deputies while hundreds of billions are squandered to protect corrupt governments in Iraq and Afghanistan. California’s tax dollars paid for remote-controlled drones that bombed a funeral procession in Pakistan and killed 46 people recently. Is this supposed to make Americans safer?

The California Legislature should pass a resolution demanding that all medical and financial assistance programs for needy people be financed by the federal government by returning tax dollars to California. Californians need their tax dollars that Washington politicians give to rich bankers. This money is needed for good schools, safe streets and so poor kids can eat decently and go to doctors and dentists.

JOHN MACKESY

Hidden Valley Lake

EDITOR: I’m angry. I’m also disappointed in California’s government. We are in the worst financial times in decades, so why aren’t we thinking positively? We are sitting on a tremendous cash crop: marijuana. Are we going to use it to help our state’s finances? No.

We’re getting ready to kill off this year’s crop (“Officials: Busy start for anti-pot effort,” Wednesday). Will we make any money? No. Will we waste huge amounts of money trying to get rid of it? Yes.

Can someone please explain to me why marijuana isn’t legal? Is it worse than wine, or any of the other legal alcoholic beverages we consume? No.

I’m so tired of reading about budget woes and how badly the state needs money when we could have vast amounts of it by taxing pot growers and sellers. Also we could create countless jobs if marijuana were legal: growers, tenders, pickers, trimmers, whoever would pack it up and sell it. All regulated by the government. A true cash crop.

I will never vote for another proposition that gives our money to the government until they do something positive instead of crying poverty. The only reason we are truly poor is because we don’t look at what we already have and try to figure out a way to use it to our advantage.

MOLLIE BOICE

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: I recently found myself behind a drunken driver on Adobe Road. Recalling signs reading “Report drunk drivers, dial 9-1-1,” I did just that. The operator told me it was out of their jurisdiction, and I needed to call CHP, which put me on hold for more than 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, the driver was consuming beer while driving. Furious and frustrated, I redialed 911 upon hitting the city limits. The operator took my information before telling me they didn’t have an officer in the area.

The operator took my name and number, and I received a call from a Rohnert Park officer who “hoped” he would be able to do “something” as he had the address where the vehicle was registered, but his tone did not sound too promising.

Perhaps it was playing the dead-on-arrival victim for a mock accident and having to write a “farewell” letter to my dad, or a former classmate’s all-too-real accident involving a drunken driver here in Rohnert Park, but I have zero tolerance for drunken drivers.

I am outraged that another drunken driver got away with it because of the lack of service I received from those who are supposed to be protecting and assisting us.

DANIELLE PUTONEN

Rohnert Park

EDITOR: I am more disgusted than I have ever been with the entire state Legislature and the governor. If they cannot reach a solution, they should not be in office. I hope there will soon be massive demonstrations at the Capitol insisting on a resolution. Sure the governor is a problem, but the fact that the Democrats’ proposals are same-old, same-old as are the Republican responses is like Groundhog Day, only it isn’t funny at all. They should be ashamed to be members of such an inept group. I am personally ashamed for our state. Get the job done or resign.

PATSY TRUXAW

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: After reading about the proposed cuts in Medi-Cal services, we sit in shock (“State slashing funding for dental clinics,” Wednesday). Face it, this is what we are saying to our poor brothers and sisters: “Too bad if you go blind, deaf, dumb, lame, crazy or toothless, we have better use for our money. Oh, and remember, we are a Christian nation.” Not.

We gag whenever we hear someone make that claim. We are a democratic, capitalistic nation, but we are far from Christian. One of the most basic tenets of Christianity is to care for the least among us. The true bottom line in the United States is Herbert Spencer’s social perversion of Darwin’s “survival of the fittest.” Denying health care to our citizens is the prime example. You do not have to be Christian to see this hypocrisy. All you need is a good dose of compassion. Health care is a basic human right not a privilege for the few.

DANIEL and CYNTHIA VROOMAN

Sonoma