Letters to the editor from Jan. 3

<p>TAX LETTER CRITIQUE</p><p>EDITOR: I don't know what is worse, Robert A. Casper's muddy and false ideas (“More taxes a bad idea”, published Dec. 27) or the fact that the Argus actually published his silly letter. Jerry Brown did not create public employee unions and was not in office 25 years ago. His first eight years ended 30 years ago. </p><p> President Obama's margin of victory was about 51 percent to 47.5 percent, greater than either of George Bush's wins and the most since Clinton beat Dole, not 49.3 percent to 49.1 percent, as Mr. Casper claims. </p><p>As for taxes, Jerry Brown asked the voters to help and they responded by passing Proposition 30, 54 percent to 46 percent. Mr. Casper may not like taxes but I bet he likes the fire department when his house is on fire. As for me, I'm also happy to pay for “social and environmental nonsense” such as health care, schools, and clean water and air, so that I don't have to pay for emergency rooms, prisons, and asthma medications.</p><p>Neal Fishman, Petaluma</p><p>SENIORS SAY THANKS</p><p>EDITOR: We at Home Instead Senior Care would like to thank the shoppers and visitors at Raley's, Cheap Smog Test, Bianchi Bakery, Beauty Secrets Salon and Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce who purchased gifts for seniors through the 'Be A Santa To A Senior' giving tree program.</p><p>Also, gifts came from independent Realtors and PG&E employees. They helped seniors least likely to get a gift or visitor at Christmas to receive a gift and visit. The partnering of business people, community members and nonprofits all advocating for seniors made it a huge success.</p><p>Lana Fennell, Petaluma</p><p>GO VEGETARIAN IN 2013</p><p>EDITOR: This year's developments have certainly vindicated those of us who care about our health, our environment, and our treatment of animals.</p><p>In January, first lady Michelle Obama unveiled revamped federal guidelines requiring school cafeterias to serve more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less sodium and animal fat.</p><p>In March, a study involving nearly 38,000 men and 84,000 women by the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that one daily serving of meat is associated with a 13 to 20 percent increase in the risk of death from heart disease or cancer.</p><p>The American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that prevalence of obesity among American adults will escalate to 42 percent by 2030, with a $550 billion increase in medical costs.</p><p>The Humane Society exposed unconscionable atrocities among three pig producers in Oklahoma and a Pennsylvania egg farm. </p><p>It's little wonder that 7 precent of Americans consider themselves vegetarian or vegan and 28 percent are actively reducing their meat consumption, leading to a 12 percent U.S. drop since 2007. </p><p>We should all consider following suit for this New Year's resolution.</p><p>Entering “live vegan” in a search engine brings tons of recipes and other useful information.</p><p>Paul Holms, Petaluma</p><p>PETALUMA: A POEM</p><p>(Editor's note: The following was submitted as the author's poetic observation of Petaluma.)</p><p>Petaluma</p><p>ringed gold by hills </p><p>haloed with dry grass</p><p>tombstoned era by era</p><p>with abandoned chicken coops</p><p>and iron crusted storefronts </p><p>tethered river blue to the ocean</p><p>angeled over by Canada geese</p><p>and wild winged winds</p><p>sanctified by the Pomo and </p><p>Miwok</p><p>and groveled raw by strip malls</p><p>and creeping vineyards</p><p>turned still by darkness</p><p>and the rising of a harvest moon</p><p>turned golden even at night</p><p>the river shimmering with </p><p>celestial light</p><p>the church bell ringing</p><p>and the barn owl screeching</p><p>all of it golden golden </p><p>and blessing borne and right</p><p>Tim Nonn, Petaluma</p>