Letters to the editor | Sunday, March 20, 2022: Quit monkeying with gas taxes
Leave gas tax alone
There is some support for repealing the state gas tax, but some other means of compensating the state taxpayers for our high gas prices should be found.
If we look back about 20 years, California had a healthy surplus in regular tax receipts. They decided then that reducing the vehicle tax was a fair way to refund some of the surplus. When it came time to restore the “car tax” to its normal level, the right wingers and their pundits began shouting that it was an obscene tripling of the car tax. That cost Gov. Davis his job. He was a timid soul and never could explain forcefully that the car tax was just being restored to its mandated level.
The same thing will happen if we eliminate the current gas taxes. There would be no guarantee anyway that Big Oil wouldn’t just keep the prices high.
Paul Desrosiers, Sonora
Stay strong, drive sober
April 10 marks 30 years after a drunken driver hit me when I was 16 years old. I had a four-month-long coma, broken bones, paralysis, and brain injuries. My gait and speech are not perfect, and I read lips.
Inspiring people is my goal. In April 2006, I started speaking at Every 15 Minutes retreats with first responders, teaching teenagers to not drink and drive. I also spoke to schools and groups in six cities for 14 years. From 2007 to 2020, I sent letters to California newspapers during special occasions, reminding readers to drive sober. I received three CHP certificates of commendation and was granted the highest honor in 2014: CHP Commissioner’s Medal of Distinction.
The 21st century made history like no other. California had disasters: blackouts, drought, inflation, pandemics, smash and grab robberies, supply chain shortages, unemployment, wildfires. People are tired of the new normal.
It is tough to adapt to changes. My struggle brought unexpected outcomes: certificates and a prestigious medal. Stay strong, drive sober and the future will benefit you.
Lori Martin, Tracy
Modesto mistletoe woes
City has a problem (with mistletoe). This has been neglected so long. Many other trees in the area will be at risk.
Neglect is not the answer.
Paul Sessa, Modesto
Teach Putin a lesson
It is past time for the United States and its allies to make some forceful demands instead of just reacting to Putin’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine. A good offense is the best defense.
1) Make Ukraine a NATO nation now.
2) Cease fire immediately.
3) No-fly zone immediately.
4) All Putin’s terrorist military out in 24 hours.
5) Supply the MIGs from Poland.
Then we will talk about sanctions. Putin only respects power. So far, NATO appears to be a paper tiger.
Robert LeFevre, Modesto
Clean energy won’t fix everything
Can we please stop with the clean energy editorials? I have solar and a battery, so I have no opposition to the effort, but the reality is that every clean energy source has people who oppose it. We need a good solution, not the least bad. If you think electric cars are the destination, there’s a train to nowhere you can ride.
Lee Adams, Oakdale
Wrong approach to mental illness
I’m a mother of two adults with schizophrenia. Kevin Baker, the ACLU and other disability rights activists do not protect the mentally ill and their long-suffering families. We keep crying out for a continuum of care that meets the needs of our loved ones, including voluntary and involuntary treatment. Schizophrenia is the most serious of all mental health brain disorders. There is no cure, only treatment along with medications. Psychosis and hallucinations leave their brain without the mental capacity to make healthy decisions on basic needs including health.
Most within this small percentage of the mentally ill will not volunteer for or accept treatment. Their mental health only worsens with each day. Deterioration leads to psychotic ramblings, living in homeless encampments, incarceration and, without intervention, early death.
None of us wants our loved ones to be hospitalized indefinitely. A continuum of care must include hospitalization, including medication, and allow the patient to improve toward levels of care that address their needs. The attitude of no involuntary treatments and no forced medications at the worst is killing our loved ones and at the best is depriving them of the opportunity to live their best lives.
Linda Mayo, Modesto
Gratitude for Modesto police
On behalf of our family I would like to send a tremendous thank you to the Modesto Police Department for helping us celebrate the life of Randy Limburg. The MPD arranged for the funeral and food and any needs that arose. This really helped the family and we appreciate them so much.
Randy worked with the MPD as a department Community Health and Assistance Team member, which worked primarily with the homeless.
Jodie Yarbrough, Modesto