Our readers views, July 1

When the WASL scores were released recently, I was shocked to learn that one in four Washington public school students drop out. It’s horrible to imagine that one-quarter of a kindergarten class might not end up in a cap and gown. We can do better. As a mother whose child is entering kindergarten in the fall, I know we must do better.

Quality early care and education (before kids enter kindergarten) is one of the most proved tactics to reduce dropout rates. That’s why our leaders need to focus on early education and care for kids in Washington. It can make graduation day just as exciting as the first day of school.

Shelly Damore

CAMAS

The 2009 Charter Review Committee has sent a resolution to the Vancouver City Council calling for a task force to study the issue of wards, in part because the issue "has come up at every charter review in the past 25 years." They failed to recognize that the same five people have been demanding wards for 25 years: Larry Patella and people I would call CAVE — Citizens Against Virtually Everything. A ward system would give Patella what he has long sought: complete gridlock and the ability to obstruct everything that city council controls including day-to-day operations of Vancouver.

If the city council agrees to a new ward task force, be prepared for howls from Patella and CAVE that they be appointed. Let us hope that the city council does not bend to the will of a small group of unhappy, vocal, local obstructionists, and agrees to stick with the perfectly good system we have.

Bob Koski

Vancouver

Hot diggity dog, the 4th of July is just around the corner. Darned if I don’t feel like a kid before Christmas; just a-buzzing with pure excitement. Man alive, one full, glorious week expressing my appreciation for this great country. But heck, I keep readin’ them darn letters from folks who just don’t appreciate the satisfaction of a good ol’ time spent lighting up the snap, crackle, boom-bang-pow of those wonderful Third World creations.

Dagnabit, I don’t want nobody tryin’ to prevent my freedom of expression during the celebration of July 4th. Darned if people don’t know that freedom has a price — maimed kids, freaked-out dogs, burned houses are all sacrifices in the name of freedom. Heck, this country was built on blood and guts and we need to celebrate it in appropriate fashion.

And if you don’t like it, if you’re not a true American, then keep quiet and take the next train outta town.

Jim Armstrong

Vancouver

I recently took a walk down along the Columbia River and was appalled at what I saw. From one weekend to the next, the sidewalks and pillars were covered in graffiti. I was walking by myself, but the things I saw made me embarrassed. When I saw families with their children — and since it was Father’s Day weekend, a lot of families were out — I wanted to warn them not to go any farther because it only got worse.

I realize people who do graffiti can do it quickly, but to do this much damage took some time. I was wondering if the people who are fortunate enough to live along the river have a neighborhood watch program — if not, they may want to consider looking into it. Thankfully, crews cleaned it up soon, but I’ll probably skip walking that way for a couple of weeks.

Cynthia Berry

Vancouver

Thomas E. Dent Jr.’s June 23 letter, "Iran’s voting crisis has familiar issues," sings that tired old Democratic song of George W. Bush stealing elections in 2000 and 2004. Intensive investigations by TV and print media (not known to be Republican-leaning) after the Supreme Court disallowed Florida’s Supreme Court’s (known to be Democratic leaning) attempt to deliver the election to Al Gore, determined the final result of Florida’s balloting did indeed prove that Bush won the Florida vote. The left’s same claims that Ohio’s voting irregularities stole the election were also not proved.

The big difference between Iran’s and the U.S. voting turnout reports, overlooked in Dent’s letter, is the unfettered freedom of the U.S. press to investigate and report to the American people, as opposed to Iran’s demonstrated ability to shut down all dissident phone service, jail reporters and brutally terminate all peaceful protests as did the Chinese in the Tiananmen Square debacle. I, like almost all Americans, prefer our system to the Iranians’, all Muslim countries, and Chinese-managed news coverage.

James T. Johnson

VANCOUVER

With regard to the June 21 story, "Local owner joins call for public health care option," I would like to address some of small business owner Susie Taylor’s comments, as well as offer some advice. Her claim that health care per employee can cost up to $1,500 per participant is misleading. There are hundreds of plans available that are competitive regardless of the number of employees involved. But if it is a large participant pool you are looking for, consider joining a trade organization that offers health plans. For example, the Associated General Contractors offers health insurance plans to its members, based on the total employee count of participating members.

In researching the Web site for her company, TNT Software, and its news releases, I see they had a very good 2008 and feel that 2009 is following the same profitable line. Why would a successful company like this want any further involvement by the government than is absolutely necessary? What makes Taylor think that our government, either Democratic or Republican, can run a program like national health care, when they have destroyed similar, and much simpler, plans like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?

Douglas Ahlberg

Vancouver

The more I read the news about all levels of government, the more I think we’ve all missed something. I see a lot of complaining and finger-pointing but I don’t see much acceptance of responsibility.

The last I heard, this is still a democratic republic. The only thing big money brings to the election process is publicity and advertising (and many times something other than the truth). No one has yet kicked down my door forcing me to vote one way or another. The electorate still has the final say on what goes on — if nowhere else, at least in the voting booth.

If you don’t want to get involved, at least get informed.

George Vartanian

RIDGEFIELD