Sacrifices of war not shared
Re "She's home from Iraq to 'be a mom again'" (Page A1, Nov. 25): I read the article about Sgt. Sharon Stallworth with joy and sadness. How can a country that started two wars with no plans to end or finance them stand by while a 42-year-old single mom of children ages 5 to 22 is serving in the National Guard in Iraq? She has suffered hip and back injuries, a stroke and migraines, and may go to Afghanistan.
This is wrong when some cheer on the wars and want to send more troops, but less than 2 percent of American families have a relative who has served in these wars. Half of the 2 million who have served in these wars are Guard members. Only one Guard unit served in Vietnam.
– Bob Mulholland, Chico
Leave teen smoking to parents
Re "Smoke shops, schools are not a healthy mix" (Editorials, Nov. 25): Why is it the responsibility of the Sacramento City Council to decide where smoke shops should be located? Where is the responsibility of the parents in all this?
If parents took their job more seriously, we would not have all the underage problems we have – smoking, drinking, and staying out after 10 p.m. What happened to homework, chores and manners? The City Council should be working on the budget!
– J.G. Newton, Citrus Heights
Gifts lead to corruption
Re "Watchdog redoing rules on gifts for lawmakers" (Capitol & California, Nov. 24): The rules on gifts to lawmakers are one more example of the moral decay that afflicts this country. These rules are set up to regulate the degree of corruption between legislators and lobbyists. What is the ethical and moral justification to give these rules a shade of legality?
When it comes to crime there should be no distinction between minimum and maximum crime. As far as I'm concerned there should be just one rule: No gifts, period.
– Maurice Billet, Carmichael
Private Medicare won't work
Re "Plan floated for altering Medicare" (Page A4, Nov. 25): A person I know is self-employed, more than 60 years old and pays close to $800 per month for health insurance with a substantial deductible. I can just see what would happen if Medicare would be turned over to the private insurance sector. It would take a voucher of at least $10,000 or more per year to cover older persons. I also predict that the private insurance that pays the most through lobbyists to the Republican Party for re-election of their candidates will get these lucrative contracts.
My guess is that Medicare recipients will wind up paying like crazy because I doubt that the government will give us the amount necessary to cover us properly. After we spent our last savings, we would be forced on Medicaid and that would cost the government even more.
– Frank Gladik, Elk Grove
Writer had vested interest
Re "Problems at Caltrans show need for state to reform the agency" (Viewpoints, Nov. 23): As a 30-year civil service retiree including 25-plus years in state government, I find Eddie Kho's perspective on reforming Caltrans interesting – especially when you consider that the American Council of Engineering Companies of California would directly benefit from additional outsourcing or realigning Caltrans work. I have a difficult time buying his arguments given this fact.
It's always good to audit and review how state agencies are being managed. Sometimes, staffing also must be adjusted to make improvements. However, for Kho to advocate radical changes due to one incident is purely opportunism on his part.
– Orlando Fuentes, Elk Grove
Pension covers health costs
Re "Ruling raises retiree benefit hopes" (Our Region, Nov. 22): First and foremost, no employer should be forced to subsidize retiree medical benefits since they are no longer working for that employer. This is true in private industry and should also be appropriate in the public sector. The idea of retiring and having a pension is that it is supposed to provide your retirement living expenses, which also include your medical premiums.
– Gene Martineau, Roseville
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