Politicians put their nests first

Re "Agencies may get the boot" (Page A1, June 4): One of the first things I was taught when I was in the Marines was to lead by example. This is something our politicians today do not understand, probably because so few of them served their country in the military. All they seem to worry about is the next election and how much cash they can pull in for themselves.

Anyone who believes they will do away with the commissions and state agencies that are used as a retirement home for ousted politicians is smoking too much of the funny stuff. Politicians are only worried about feathering their own nests. If they happen to help the average citizen, that is good – they can use that in their next re-election brochure telling us about all of the good they are doing for us.

These commissions need to be done away with, and our politicians need to be voted out of office. They need a real job (if they can find one today) where they have to worry if their pay is going to be cut, or even if they will have a job tomorrow.

Let's save the state: Oust a politician at the next election.

– Don Warden, Roseville

She's sacrificing – are legislators?

Re "Agencies may get the boot" (Page A1, June 4): I'm a state worker. I read the many Bee articles trying to determine how the budget calamity will affect me next.

I'm very happy I have my job – neighbors and friends working in private industry have lost theirs. I appreciate that my civil service job gives me a good safety net. I'll weather all of this. So far I've been able to cope with my salary decrease by cutting cable, gym membership, deferring home and car maintenance, etc. The next cut will cause financial disruption. That's OK. I'll find a way.

Here's my gripe. Why aren't legislators and their staff making any sacrifices? I don't see any evidence that their pay is "on the table." Am I missing something?

– Janet Ballou, Sacramento

Part-time Legislature won't fly

I am writing in response to the citizens of California who actually think that a part-time Legislature is the answer to the state's problems.

The proposal is that the Legislature would meet for three months a year. While this idea is intriguing, the idea totally neglects the reality of California politics. If legislators cannot get a budget done in three months, what makes anyone think they can accomplish the entire work of the state in a three-month window?

The problem is not the legislators directly. The problem is our political party system. This system has divided our politics so much that if any representatives sides with the other side, they are stripped of chairmanships, committee assignments, and other responsibilities as "punishment."

Until the day comes when we can truly have open discussion and cast votes for the people of California, and not for a political party, we will be in the same boat as we are in today, regardless of the status of the Legislature.

– Shaun M. Hughes, Woodland

Education agencies overfunded

I have decades as a teacher, six years as a school board member and two years as a teacher union negotiator, so I know all sides of public education. I guarantee you that there is plenty of money being given to public education today. It is simply going to the wrong places.

Message to the governor: Give each school district in the state the same revenue for next year and make up the deficit by cutting billions from the state and county departments of education. Ask anyone in education not employed by these overstaffed, redundant and unnecessary departments what the state and county departments of educations give to education, and you will hear time and time again – nothing!

– Ed Seaman, El Dorado Hills

Better to be green and wrong …

Re " 'Goode' pokes stick at sanctimonious green movement" (Viewpoints, June 4): George Will's column about the "Goode Family" TV show demonstrates how far he is out of touch with reality. Everyone knows that replacing one light bulb is not going to stop global warming. But when 200 million of us do that, it will have a measurable effect.