Letters to the editor

stuck on styrofoam

Editor,

I applaud the San Mateo County Supervisors’ passing a ban of polystyrene, most commonly known as Styrofoam, in county buildings and encourage them to go further.

Last year, Millbrae became the first city in San Mateo County to completely ban polystyrene from use in city facilities and all our local businesses. We were able to educate business owners and the public about the harmful environmental effects of polystyrene and get complete buy-in from everyone.

By working with local businesses, we were able to enact an appropriate timeline for phasing out the use of polystyrene. Since the polystyrene ban was enacted, business in Millbrae has flourished, and we continue to see new small businesses opening throughout the city.

The county has taken a first step by banning polystyrene in county buildings. I would strongly encourage them to extend that ban throughout the county as Millbrae has done.

Gina Papan

Millbrae

The letter writer is

the mayor of Millbrae.

What does McCain

actually know?

Editor,

I just read the short news article in the April 21 edition of the Daily Journal titled: "McCain: ‘Cutting taxes more important than balanced budget.’” McCain is an idiot and totally ignorant about solving our country’s economic problems. He has no clue. He doesn’t know that the problem is not going to be solved by just cutting taxes. He doesn’t know that what is really needed is to cut spending, not taxes. McCain doesn’t know that by cutting government spending on the Iraq war, by not supporting big businesses such as the airline industry, financial and mortgage industry and big oil companies, it will help repair our country’s economy. He doesn’t know that building the border fence along along the United States-Mexico border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and stopping the government support through welfare, food stamps, etc., of the illegal immigrants already in our country, will also help stop the strain and drain on our economy. He completely ignores the fact that cutting government ‘pork’ spending would also help repair our country’s economy.

The days of President Bush’s method of running our country’s economy into the ground by his "Champagne appetite and Beer income” mentality are almost over. We, as Americans, cannot afford another four years of the same mentality. We cannot afford four more years of "Let’s spend the money first and later figure out how to pay for it,” and "Don’t blame me, blame the other guy” attitudes. McCain isn’t smart enough to be our next president.

Unfortunately, I don’t know if any of the other candidates are smart enough either.

Michael Oberg

San Mateo

If the pope doesn’t support immigration, why should we?

Editor,

I see where the good Pope Benedict XVI feels the United States should not enforce restrictions along our southern border with Mexico inasmuch as it’s presenting difficulties to those who wish to enter the U.S. illegally. Well here’s my response: I understand there are a lot of illegals in Italy, I think mostly from Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania and that the Vatican is actually a sovereign nation surrounded by Italy. Given this premise, why not suggest to Pope Benedict that he stand behind his beliefs and open the Vatican gates to the aforementioned illegals in Italy. Assuming this won’t happen I respectfully suggest the Holy Father allow us to run our own sovereign country without outside negative suggestions.

Larry Hurley

Daly City

Support Youstra for

Portola Valley School Board

Editor,

With only a few days left, I urge everyone to mail in their ballots for the Portola Valley School District open board seat. Our school board is grappling with serious issues in the upcoming months. A budget shortfall, coupled with the ongoing real estate downturn, will make the next few years a very difficult financial challenge. We need to elect someone who has experience in the system and will fully appreciate what impact decisions will have on each child. I believe only one candidate comes with the requisite knowledge to get the job done. Please join me in supporting Bill Youstra for the PVSD board.

Teresa Godfrey

Portola Valley

Got income? Rent says no

Editor,

A letter writer from the Daily Journal’s April 15 edition, Carol Marchi, made reference to how difficult it is to purchase a home in this community. What she said is certainly true. But for many people, the cost of renting an apartment is equally out of reach. The Daily Journal recently reported on a study released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition that said it would require a wage of $30 per hour to afford the average two-bedroom apartment in this area. When I consulted an online resource from the Department of Labor, I saw what a variety of occupations pay in the Bay Area: child care workers are paid $12, dental assistants $16, home health aide $11, paramedic $21, preschool teacher $14. Considering the gap between what many workers earn and what they would need to earn to afford the average rent, it was clear why so many valued community members have had to move away.

I believe that safe, decent housing is the foundation for building a successful life. As a resident of San Mateo, I am pleased that the city is considering an expansion in its affordable housing policies. I hope that it will move decisively to meet the community need.

Kathryn Shea

San Mateo

Health care should be universally cared for

Editor,

Frontline’s "Sick Around the World,” which aired April 15 on PBS, should be a real eye-opener for many people who feel insecure at the thought of a government-administered universal health program. This program highlighted five different capitalist democracies, each using a different approach to achieve universal health care. Each country is able to provide comprehensive health care for all while achieving better health care outcomes at a much lower cost than we do by controlling spending through an efficient funding system. Not only is health care rationed in our system by denial of care, our health care outcomes are inferior while we spend more than double what these nations spend to provide secure quality health care.

Meanwhile, we support other essential services such as police and fire protection through taxes and charge our local governments with their operations. Why do we not treat healthcare as an essential service? At some point in time, it will be a critical need for everyone.

We must change the way we fund health care in America. California is leading the country in gaining support for a single payer health insurance system administered by a state government. Sen. Kuehl’s State Bill 840 has passed the Senate and is now working its way through the Assembly. The bill provides for comprehensive health care coverage for everyone, while saving the state millions of dollars. Californians must let their legislators know that it is time to bring our health standards up to those of the rest of the world.

Del Silverman

San Carlos