Letters to the editor

Editor,

I was very unhappy that U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, did not vote as her constituents requested. Thousands of us called her to say "Vote NO on the bailout to the bankers” and she voted yes to giving the bankers billions of dollars with no strings attached — except for the strings to the taxpayers who will have to come up with these billions.

This was the biggest movement of tax funds from the working people to the wealthy ever in our nation’s history.

There is a very real danger that in the last days of the Bush administration H.R. 362 will rise again. It had been put on the shelf during the campaign season. This bill states that an attack on Iran may be necessary to keep peace in the Middle East. Like a war can keep the peace? We have been here before. Remember how threatened we were about the "weapons of mass destruction” that Iraq had? So scared that to "keep the peace” we led off with shock and awe and have been bombing that nation for years. Now we are expanding our bombing into Pakistan and Syria. Will Iran be next?

We would have no question as to how Tom Lantos would vote on this threat of war against Iran. Old Tom loved wars that were in the interest of Israel. The question is, what will Jackie do? Will she listen to the people in district, or will she be mesmerized by the word of AIPAC? It is imperative that we pay attention to things in Washington. Just voting is not enough! You need to stay awake and aware between the time of voting. We need to keep an eye on how our representative votes. Please don’t fall into a state of relaxation and trust. It is our duty as citizens to monitor and pressure our representatives to vote as our representative.

Patricia Gray

Burlingame

Excellent political insight

Editor,

I want to thank Keith Kreitman for the political insight he has given me throughout this historic presidential campaign.

I have found his weekly columns in The Daily Journal to be right on target.

In fact, he has reinforced my beliefs in what is really going on in this world.

His candid but opinionated approach has echoed my sentiments to a "T.” In this day and age of bipartisan opinions, I find it refreshing to read someone that "tells it like it is.”

His latest article "Reflections on a landslide” was excellent. I have forwarded it to some of my friends on the East Coast so they too can enjoy his viewpoint.

Keep up the good work. I will be looking for more of the same.

Jim Curran

San Carlos

No thanks, Sarah

Editor,

There were many amazing things about the 2008 presidential race, but none so startling as Sarah Palin suddenly achieving notoriety and now her being touted as a possible candidate in 2012.

She seems to be the same kind of instant celebrity as Joe the Plumber.

Neither one was qualified to occupy the world stage, but, perhaps it was an indication of people’s longing for change or adulation for anyone who makes the headlines that made them prominent.

But, at least, Joe only wanted to join the music industry, but Sarah aimed for a bigger prize, and to get it she wouldn’t emphasize her lack of good points and questionable history, but instead she start saying bad things about the competition. After all, the Obama campaign couldn’t retaliate, because then she could say they were sexist.

I’m certain that Sarah is a good person, kind to her children, and someone we’d like to know.

But, Sarah the Plumber?

No thanks, and certainly not as a candidate for president.

Jack Haber

San Mateo