Don't let powerful escape

Re "Recipe for confusion" (Forum, April 24): So our wonderful legislators are at it again. Why do they constantly let "powerful interests" in the Capitol exempt themselves from laws that are "supposed" to protect the public?

If it's felt that there needs to be a law requiring food handlers to carry a food handler card, it should apply to all food handlers, not just the small businesses.

It's about time our legislators quit giving in to those who have the funds to "buy" themselves out of being affected by new laws that they don't like and let others carry the burden for them.

Sen. Alex Padilla, wake up. Your new law is definitely one-sided and needs many changes to accomplish what you are supposedly trying to accomplish.

– Norma Dillon, Sacramento

Training is worthwhile

I am disappointed about the exemptions for national chains and union houses. I have taken the training and exam online in an attempt to increase my job hunting skills, and I learned a lot more than I thought I would. It has even raised my awareness in cooking at home.

I encourage restaurant owners who have complied with the law to display some type of notice near the front door stating they are in compliance. I encourage both national chain and union shops to have their employees take the training and exam even though not required by law, and post a notice of this action by their door.

– Franklin Dotson, Antelope

CEO makes a good case

Re "How California can add jobs, and prosper as Texas does" (Viewpoints, April 24): I was very impressed with Andrew F. Puzder's commentary. He included specific recommendations versus the platitudes emanating from our leaders at the Capitol. My only question is to what effect? The only people truly able to change direction of California's business climate have clearly demonstrated over the years they're not willing to effectively address the negative anti-business climate of this state.

However, ultimately responsibility lies with us. Puzder was right. The only rational conclusion is the majority of our citizens are satisfied with the current business, social, economic and educational climate.

When the last business leaves California, they won't have to turn out the lights because the only available power source – wind and solar – will not have been enough to keep them on.

– Dennis Nicholls, Sacramento

Listen to business leaders

Anytime you see a CEO of a large company come forward and say there is something wrong with your state, people should listen. Andrew Puzder should be applauded for stepping up and making people realize that regulatory and legal reform are critical to California's future. If you have to spend $20 million fighting trial lawyers, that is $20 million that is not creating jobs and building a business.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry warned California two years ago that it had to tackle big issues like taxes, regulations, education and legal reform if it was going to be able to compete. Since then, we are batting 0 for 4.

– Tom Scott, executive director, California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

Can't wait for Perata's exit

Re "Don Perata wants back in the ring" (Forum, Dan Morain, April 24): As a lifelong Democrat, I cringe with embarrassment when a politician like Don Perata opens his mouth. His thoughts in this article expose a person who should not be labeled with a party, but rather as a tool available to those who would keep the current status quo – in this case, his fellow politicians who still do not understand the anger of this state's voters.

Perata is just one of a long line of self-absorbed career hacks who have transformed a once great state into the current morass of indecision, polarization and narrow vision. The sooner he and his ilk – from both sides of the political spectrum – disappear from the political landscape, the better.

– Scott Klesert, Chico

Protect food, environment

Re "Gold dredging rules stir up strife" (Our Region, April 24): Restrictions on suction dredge mining in California's rivers and streams is not an issue of gold versus fish. It's a matter of gold versus gold – the gold collected by hobby miners versus the economic impacts of environmental degradation.

As California's fish populations crash, how can we justify prioritizing these special interests over the massive financial hit when our fishing industry declines? Arguments that such restrictions reduce hobbyists' income disregard the fact that when mercury is dispersed by dredging activity, it can transform into a toxic form that collects up the food chain and onto the kitchen tables of low-income communities and communities of color who depend on fishing to feed their families. The Department of Fish and Game's first priority must be the health of our fish populations and the wildlife and humans that depend on them.

– Andria Ventura, program manager, Clean Water Action

Help miners, businesses

The article proves that that dredging should be reinstated. Environmental groups worry that there are too many miners. A lawyer says it destroys our wildlife. Where do they get their facts? There is no damage to the ecosystem or environment, and no study done to prove that banning dredging is warranted. Since August 2009, the state has prevented those who mine professionally from making a living and weekend miners from the fun of finding the yellow metal.

Don't lawmakers have better things to do? Dredging needs to be reinstated so the state can get revenue from the sales of mining equipment and permit fees, camping fees and all that miners buy in the foothill community stores that need to stay in business. It is a win-win situation.

– Joe Rooney, Somerset

General won't pay for his fat paydays

Re "General's paydays enriched" (Page A1, April 24): The major general should be thrown in jail and the keys flushed down the commode. But – and this is what is so infuriating – nothing will happen to him.

It took a lot of people for him to pull off this scam: subordinate officers, subordinate accountants, as well as "loophole-wise" cronies who've done the same thing to us. There had to be both state and federal conspirators showing the good general the way.

It boils down to stealing tax money and begins with little scams, sort of like legislators who claim per diem dollars from us while they are sitting in their homes and not in Sacramento.

– Bill Sanders, Gold River

How did he get all those medals?

What an impressive photo of Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II and his remarkable chest full of medals – certainly remarkable for a 41-year veteran who never served in combat.

To think of all those young men who unnecessarily fled to Canada to avoid military combat when the solution was so obvious.

– David J. Rose, Roseville

Eisenhower wouldn't approve

I read with great disappointment The Bee investigation about Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II double-dipping. The greed and avarice displayed in the top ranks of the California National Guard are very discouraging. Our former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who in 1951 became the supreme commander of the just-starting NATO, would roll over in his grave.

Our children need examples of courage, truth and honor – not the traits exhibited by the selfish, self-serving cupidity of this Maj. Gen. Wade and his cohorts. What ever happened to truth and justice as the American way?

– Joseph Stein, Sacramento

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