Approval for jobs, tax bills

The article, “Chemeketa wins grant,” from this legislative session (News-Register, July 1) points out that money for construction of a second building at the Mac campus will provide jobs right here in Yamhill County. Next to this was an article leading in with Rep. Jim Weidner saying there was nothing in the just-ended legislative session to create jobs.

I’m glad the article went on to point out the different measures passed to fund new jobs. Rep. Weidner also was concerned with tax increases that “pull money out of the economy.” However, since taxes fund education, police, fire and emergency response teams, roads, transportation and many other things necessary for a state to operate effectively, and all are jobs that put money back into the economy, I’m not sure I understand his reasoning. 

It is also true that the corporate minimum tax was increased, but part of it’s on a sliding scale, which means the more revenue a company has, it would seem the more they could legitimately be able to pay without hurting their bottom line too severely.

Yes, there was also an increase in the percent an individual would pay on income above $125,000, as well as what a household would pay on income over $250,000, but this doesn’t seem a hardship since many households get by on less than $50,000 a year.

It’s time we moved past the idea that any and all taxes are bad. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t love paying taxes, but I truly enjoy those things that my taxes buy: roads, education, parks, rapid response by trained fire department personnel if my house catches fire ... the list goes on and on.

Susan Dehm
McMinnville

Who are the heroes?

I have trouble understanding our values when someone like Michael Jackson is basically immortalized by masses of people and the news media. I have nothing against Michael Jackson and, by some standards, I guess he was a great entertainer.

However, in a Sunday daily newspaper there was a small article on a man from Clackamas who was a Marine pilot in three wars. He was shot down in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and received two Navy Crosses, among numerous other medals of valor.

What this man did for his country and the sacrifices he made are immeasurable, yet upon his death he receives a small blurb in a back section of the paper, while Michael Jackson receives front-page news and hours of TV coverage. No wonder our country is in the shape it’s in. We sensationalize the wrong people.

I am curious to know how many current Hollywood stars have served their country? In the past, they were numerous. Look at people like Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable and even Elvis Presley. These are people who earned their respect.

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” about Michael Jackson.

Mike Freeborn
McMinnville

Cell phones, driving don’t mix

Regarding the new cell phone law: it is indeed unfortunate that your aspiring 22-year-old intern (Letter to Readers, June 27) doesn’t have the characteristics of self-discipline and maturity to accept a finding that may save a life.

If she continues to drive unprepared and irresponsibly with coffee, food or other distractions, then the loss of use of a cell phone while driving is at least a step in the right direction.

Donald Wiley
Dayton

Vote protects us — not guns

Robert G. Stevens (Readers’ Forum, June 27) should read the Constitution more carefully. The right to bear arms was granted to the people because a “well-regulated militia” was believed in 1791 to be necessary to the security of the State (the nation). The Founding Fathers didn’t feel it necessary to justify any of the other amendments by adding a reason for it. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to “provide” for “organizing, arming, and disciplining [training] the Militia.” It also gives Congress the power of “calling forth” the militia to “execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions.”

That “providing” was done in the Militia Act of 1792, which required every man to have a knapsack, bayonet and musket (which is why the Second Amendment was needed). And in 1794, George Washington “called forth” the militia to put down the Whiskey Rebellion (an anti-tax insurrection). The militias were later called up in the Civil War and the Spanish American War, events which led to the Militia Acts of 1862 and 1903. The last of these unified the militias of the various states into the National Guard.

We have elected representatives to make the laws for us, and as long as the citizens have the vote, together with a choice of candidates selected by the voters and a fair counting of the votes, there is no tyranny. The notion that citizens can “resort to the Second Amendment to resolve a problem that a law-abiding court should do,” as Mr. Stevens puts it, is dangerous nonsense, and just the sort of thing the Second Amendment was written to combat. It is insurrection. 

Charles Strong
McMinnville

How about some names?

Jeb Bladine wrote a great article about the corruption brewing in Salem last week. (“Politicians caught — and just in time,” Whatchama Column, June 27.) Conspicuously missing were names.

You are the watchdog for the public: please, finish your job.

Darren Nettrouer
McMinnville

Public safety tops cell phones

It’s hard to know where to begin commenting on Hannah Hoffman’s self-centered and poorly-reasoned piece on the restriction of cell-phone usage while driving (“Today cell phones, tomorrow coffee” Letter to readers, News-Register, June 27).

A vehicle is not a traveling office, coffee shop or recreation room. Every driver must follow basic safety rules in order that all of us get where we’re going safely and efficiently. Ms. Hoffman’s rationale for driving while distracted, and therefore potentially with recklessness, is appalling.

She’s a busy reporter who needs constant phone access; she has no sense of direction; she must drink coffee, juggle sunglasses and read notes simultaneously while driving. When she wanders out of her lane, erratically changes speed, or makes a sudden, last-minute turn — as I regularly observe phone-distracted drivers doing — she endangers every other driver near her.

In several well-documented studies, talking on the phone while driving has been shown to render the driver as dangerous as one who is inebriated. Yet Ms. Hoffman is miffed that she can’t continue to menace other motorists because her lifestyle is affected.

The argument that cars are full of distractions like food, maps, lipstick, cigarettes, dogs, etc. doesn’t fly. You have been granted the privilege of operating a vehicle at high speed on public motorways; it is your duty to operate it safely, period.

People navigated the highways and conducted their business before cell-phones existed, a fact many young people conveniently ignore.

I wish we didn’t need lawmakers to legislate common sense, but in this instance, I agree. Cell phones and driving don’t mix. It’s a matter of public safety.

Grant Hoyt
Carlton

A stoning, perhaps?

When the recent disclosure of sexual indiscretions by Gov. Mark Sanford (S.C.) occured, it wasn’t too newsworthy to me, at first. He simply joined Gingrich, Foley, Livingston, Spitzer, Edwards, Craig, Vitter and my all-time favorite, Clinton, in a seemingly endless list of celebrities who have trouble with libido management.

I thought Sanford would apologize, resign and that would end the story. I remembered his public declarations of how outraged he was at other people’s infidelity, most notably Bill Clinton’s. Then, he capped off the week with his amazing comparison of himself to King David. Remember the fellow who got in a bit of a bind when he liked Bathsheba so much that he caused the death of her husband so he could have her for himself (along with 10 other wives and 500 concubines)?

“Hey,” I thought, “this may be a cut-and-dried case of Biblical-grade adultery requiring a public stoning of Sanford.” Oops, I forgot. Stoning is only for female adulterers. Plus, Jesus added another troublesome requirement that made it hard to find prospective stoners. You know, the “he who is without sin” bit?

Back to reading about our crumbling economy, nuclear weapons and ICBM tests in North Korea, Iran chaos with a certifiably crazy theocratic dictator and other boring topics. Thank you, Governor, for a moment’s respite from seemingly insolvable problems.

On the other hand, I realize the whole episode has been tragic for your family. I sincerely feel sadness for them, you and everyone involved.

Perhaps you should resign and make your first priority to decide who you want as a partner. Politics can wait, don’t you think? Perhaps you might also consider being a little more compassionate towards other people’s weakness in the future, be they Republican or Democrat. I know I will.

Edward Fuller
McMinnville