Letters To The Editor

HIGHER EDUCATION

Don’t gouge college students

In response to “Tuition hikes squeeze students” (Feb. 12): As a full-time student at Easterm Washington University, I feel Rep. Ken Jacobsen’s (D-Seattle) remarks are way off the mark. He stated that tuitions at state colleges and universities are not too high.

Yes, compared to private schools the state-run schools are a bargain. But most of us go to state schools because we cannot afford a private college. If I could afford to, I would go to a private school. They are better run and don’t cut programs because the funds were spent on unneeded things, i.e. the $14,000 table and chairs at EWU.

Jacobsen must not have any children in the state university system. If he did, I’m quite sure that he would not have made those remarks.

Many students are just scraping by on financial aid and loans. I will be in debt for quite some time just trying to pay off my college education.

Jacobsen should spend some time on a college campus. See how we live. If he were to spend maybe a week living in a residence hall, eating the same food we do and going to classes with us but leaving his checkbook and credit cards at home, he would see just what I mean. We aren’t just nameless faces in the crowd on a college campus, we are people who deserve a break. We are also voters.

I hope students who are Seattle-area voters do not reelect him. Debra Beckwith Cheney

Tuition increase a big mistake

I am a sophomore at Eastern Washington University, and the Feb. 12 article, “Tuition hikes squeeze students,” caught my eye.

For Rep. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, to say he doesn’t think current tuition for public institutions is too high is blasphemy.

First, he’s comparing public to private institutions. There is a reason why private institutions are higher in price and that reason is basically said in the price itself. Private institutions are technically better run than their public counterparts. They have the funding.

Furthermore, they tend to consider that it’s the students’ money they are spending. Thus, they spend the money more wisely. It is too bad that the saying “You get what you pay for” is sounding a lot scarier as time passes.

I did not choose to go to EWU because of the rising prices and budgets spent poorly. EWU was the only university I could (and can) afford, even when financial aid is included. I don’t regret enrolling at EWU, but unless the price remains where it is and/or greater funds become available for future and current students, there will be no place for these institutions.

It is such an irony that people want to see a better future, but are unwilling to risk making the necessary investment. Tanya Reistroffer Cheney

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Thanks for backing our kids’ future

As a lifelong resident of Spokane, I don’t know that I have ever been more proud of our community. Feb. 6, school election day, was very special to our nearly 32,000 students.

The overwhelming yes vote in behalf of Spokane’s young people demonstrates that we do care about children and we are willing to invest in Spokane’s future. When nearly eight out of 10 voters say yes for kids, it truly is a special day for any community. It was a resounding validation of public education and what it has to offer every child.

I hope his message is received by state legislators as they discuss important education issues. The Spokane community has demonstrated its understanding that our students are our future.

Our young people are indeed fortunate to live in Spokane, a community that cares. While there are many challenges ahead, I am confidant that by working together and supporting each other we can become a model community. By making a commitment to our children, as we did Feb. 6, we can continue to work together to stem the tide of tragedies related to our youth. Terrie K. Beaudreau, president Spokane Public Schools board of directors

Policy makers denser than I thought

Reference was made to the shooting incident at Frontier Junior High School in Moses Lake as a wake-up call, something that should “alert policy makers to the need for increased school security.”

The fact that it takes an incident like this to wake up policy makers is absolutely ridiculous.

I home school my boys and I am also very aware of how out of control some students at the local junior high and high schools are. Initially, we decided to home school because of education. The out-of-control atmosphere is even more reason to home school.

Get a clue, administrators. It was easy to see some years ago that you were heading up a dark alley. You are supposed to be in control. Virginia Deane Sandpoint, Idaho

Educator doesn’t know his business

The Jan. 26 guest column by an assistant high school principal is prima facie evidence why an alternative to public education is necessary.

The author is clearly against any form of voucher system and his thesis seems to be that a free enterprise, consumer choice alternative to public education would be a fallacy.

His frequent reference to our “democratic society” and our “democratic values” appears to ignore the fact that our Constitution establishes a republic, not a democracy. Further, his tortured argument, using slavery as an example of free enterprise, to deny free (or freer) choice in education defies logic, credulity and has nothing whatever to do with education.

I urge all to evaluate initiatives 173 and 177, and make your own decision as to appropriateness. In the meantime, I’ll give the author a “D” in U.S. history, logic and composition. L.O. Woltersdorf Colbert

WASHINGTON STATE

Caring official right to ask questions

To those of us who know Tim Nelson personally, Ann and Dale Roberts’ (Letters, Feb. 4) characterization of his criticism of the day care raid as politically motivated is laughable.

We can vouch that his greatest concern is for the children dealt with by Child Protective Services, with little thought for personal recognition.

Under his direction the number of licensed day care inspections and necessary closures have greatly increased, indicating considerable effectiveness, especially while working within the constraints of the bureaucratic system. He has received commendation from the governor as an outstanding state employee, a fact he would probably prefer remain unmentioned.

Had the Robertses contacted him directly with their concerns, we are confident they would find him to be the compassionate man of integrity we know and respect. It’s unfortunate they chose to malign his character based on incomplete or one-sided information.

We believe the point of Tim Nelson’s comments is that better communication and coordination of efforts between CPS and the sheriff’s department would ensure the satisfactory outcome of all such incidents.

The raid’s success is commendable, given the possibility that the threatened meth lab operator could instead have used his handgun in a hostage situation or shootout. Had our children been involved we would have breathed a sigh of relief, then asked the same question Tim Nelson did: Wasn’t there a safer, less-traumatic way to do this? Kathy and Dan Hilliard Spokane

Bible basis for many efforts

Thank you, Staff writer Lynda Mapes, for your Feb. 5 feature, “Some lawmakers basing efforts on Bible,” referring to our representatives in Olympia. This is not a totally new concept in either self-government or civil government.

The idea of separation of powers, and our three branches of government - judicial, legislative and executive - came from the Bible. “The Lord is our judge, our lawgiver and our king. He will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22)

Our Liberty Bell is engraved with the words from Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land.”

According to historian and Professor Donald Lutz, 34 percent of all quotes in the founders’ writing came from the Bible. The scriptures most frequently quoted were from Deuteronomy, a farewell address of Moses, the lawgiver.

In 1356, the first editions of the Wycliffe Bible were translated into English for the common people. John Wycliffe wrote, “This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Most Americans recognize this phrase from the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln. As a self-educated man, President Lincoln knew the great writings of civilization. He also wrote, “the philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.” Could this be why the rewriting of the history standards has caused such concern?

Centuries ago the Almighty was quoted by the Prophet Hosea, “My people perish for lack of knowledge … and since you have forgotten my law, I will ‘forget’ to bless your children.”

Could this be happening in our contemporary culture? Donna Kuhn Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND THE ECONOMY

In reality, increase will only help

Dan Davidson (Letters, Feb. 11) has the idea that no matter what amount the minimum wage is increased, it would be gobbled up by inflation. That didn’t happen the last time it was raised, and the notion that it will this time is based on a misconception.

Most people think that material cost, plus labor cost, plus burden, plus a reasonable profit, equals price. In fact, “what the market will bear” is what determines the prices we pay for goods and services. Minimum wage increases usually won’t be passed on because we already are paying, or perhaps overpaying, as much as we’re likely to.

A moderate minimum wage increase would be a nice little boost for the economy, and it’s the right thing to do. I don’t care who it is or what the job is, when people give their time, it’s not too much for them to expect a living, or at least a near living, in return. Thomas Osowski Rathdrum, Idaho

Creep a big factor in tax woes

In his Feb. 11 letter, Dan Davidson stated that if the minimum wage were raised to $100 per hour it still would be minimum wage, and an hour’s worth wouldn’t buy a hamburger. This is indeed fact.

However, he forgets the most important point. Both the Democrats and the Republicans would be interested in this attempt to raise the minimum wage so everyone could get as much as $1,000 per hour. The reason is that the IRS could then take 39 percent of nothing instead of 20 percent of nothing. In other words, your usable income would actually drop.

It is very well known already that the income tax bracket creep is the only thing that is keeping the economy afloat. Many people are hitting the high point already. That is why a new method has to be developed, called the flat tax, which is going to prove to be ineffective and therefore will have to be raised to 20, then 25, then 30 percent of everybody’s income. This will still make the rich much better off.

There is no stopping this. It is only going to get worse. Harvey Fritz Moses Lake, Wash.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Clintons scandalously bad people

When President Clinton bemoaned his possible bankruptcy on Jan. 11, he had already received $900,000 from an incredibly embarrassing legal defense fund - money donated to this immoral man from average citizens. This is the first time a president has sunk so low.

Now it has been revealed he had already received $900,000 from liability insurance policies back in December, with another $1.1 million coming. He forgot to tell us that part. He took out the original policy in 1991, three months before he allegedly asked Paula Jones up to his hotel room to “kiss it.” He must have been feeling guilty.

Clinton attorney Bob Bennett said the president still may have to pay some of the bills out of his own pocket. Heaven forbid the president should be held liable for his own immoral acts.

Do President Clinton and first lady Hillary really expect us to sympathize with them because of their financial troubles? Why should we feel sorry when such dishonest people are caught in their own web of deceit? They have made their bed and now must lie in it. No pun intended. Michael Wiman Spokane

Get first lady something for a black eye

A.K. Stirling’s Feb. 12 letter presented a spirited defense of Hillary Clinton. The headline fashioned for it, “They won’t lay a glove on Hillary,” conjures up a rather humorous image of Hillary skillfully dodging, weaving, and ducking a clumsy elephant’s boxing gloves.

A more apt simile, rather than a boxing ring, is the arena of public opinion. The real question is, has Hillary already had a laying-on of gloves, pretty square around her public relations and credibility chin? It would seem so, based on recent polls showing a significant decline in the public perception of her credibility and popularity.

As for Stirling’s applause for Hillary’s appearance before the grand jury, do we normally applaud citizens for avoiding potential contempt violations by complying with a subpoena?

Having followed the Whitewater hearings very closely, and applying my best investigatory experience and skill, it’s apparent to me that Hillary and her coterie of confidantes have taken some significant legal credibility blows landed by the obvious conflict of depositions and public statements, with the testimony and the documents made a part of the record.

Whether there will be a legal knockout blow will only become apparent as we follow this rumble in the D.C. jungle through to the final end. Ken VanBuskirk Spokane

End trade with mainland China

Clinton administration hypocrisy has reached an alltime high. It’s no surprise the administration is considering economic sanctions against China for violations against the entertainment industry. It reeks of political posturing, for the benefit of a few powerful leftwing collaborators and the Hollywood elite. Could it be that Clinton needs their money and support for reelection?

China made a promise not to be bad anymore. This time, it stepped over the line. Surprise! Can you imagine anything more horrific than a pirated copy of a Disney movie or a Hooty and the Blowfish tape? The administration feels this ghastly injustice must be dealt with. Otherwise the consequences could be dire.

It’s not like they are using slave and prison labor to produce imports that compete directly against American manufacturers who pay that cruel and evil minimum wage, or allowing unwanted children to starve in orphanages, or forcing families to choose between infanticide of a female baby in favor of a male child. Gee, let’s get our priorities straight. Can’t they read the copyright warning? We could include it in their native language or maybe send Attorney General Janet Reno over with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. That would show them.

The best way is to hit them where it hurts: no longer purchase anything from mainland China. (Darn, there goes all our Christmas ornaments and Happy Meal toys.) But we should continue to support Taiwan and other Asian countries where democracy is working. China would learn sooner than later. Paul Labrie Veradale