Dear Editor, The Morgan Hill Times editorial (
”
Reasons to Support Proposition 19 Are Numerous; Vote Yes,
”
Sept. 21, 2010), got an arrow splitting bull’s eye exposing so
many reasons to end cannabis (marijuana) prohibition.
It’s time to end the ignorance, vote yes on Proposition 19
Dear Editor,
The Morgan Hill Times editorial (“Reasons to Support Proposition 19 Are Numerous; Vote Yes,” Sept. 21, 2010), got an arrow splitting bull’s eye exposing so many reasons to end cannabis (marijuana) prohibition.
Another important reason to end cannabis prohibition that doesn’t get mentioned is because it could open the door to allowing American farmers to grow hemp. If citizens may use and grow cannabis with THC, it’s reasonable to believe farmers may grow hemp without THC. Hemp can be used as a beneficial alternative fuel and lead to jobs and other economic positives.
Communist Chinese farmers are allowed to grow hemp but free American farmers are not and that is unfair for American farmers who must compete in the world market. Cannabis prohibitionists have harmed the United States long enough in more ways than be counted. It’s clearly time to end that ignorance and move forward.
Stan White, Dillon, Colo.
The decriminalization of marijuana is long overdue
Dear Editor,
The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2009, there were 858,405 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession. At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis. The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower rates of use.
The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. Decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction. Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war obsolete. As long as organized crime controls distribution, marijuana consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. This “gateway” is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.
Robert Sharpe, MPA, Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
America needs good paying jobs for working families
Dear Editor,
Labor unions brought our nation “Child labor laws,” “The eight hour day,” “The weekend” and “Safety standards to protect workers from injury or death.” Republicans fought hard against all those union measures because they cut back on profits of corporations. In 2010 Republicans continue to represent 2 percent of America, claiming that trickle down will be fine for the other 98 percent.
Trickle down has worked well for 2 percent of our population, while lowering the standard of living for the other 98 percent.
Bluedog Democrats who stand with Republicans against 98 percent of the American people do not deserve to be re-elected. America needs good paying jobs for working families. Voters decide Nov. 2 which party will do most to help Americans who need a hand up.
Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill
Funding parks is a measure of the values of our society as a whole
Dear Editor,
I was disturbed to read Lisa Pampuch’s recommendation on Proposition 21 in her recent column. While I respect Lisa’s opinion and usually find myself agreeing with her, I think Lisa is throwing out the baby because she doesn’t like the bath water.
Lisa supports parks, but doesn’t “see the connection between owning a motor vehicle and paying more for state parks.” I don’t get this. There’s no connection between working for a living and farm subsidies, or most other government expenditures for that matter, but income tax withheld from my paycheck pays for it. Never mind that day use fees to enter state parks is paid by the motor vehicle (bikers and walkers are free), the “connection” between the source of funds and their intended use is a non-issue.
Lisa also argues that this type of funding “reduces state legislators’ flexibility” in setting the budget, a job they are highly paid to do, she says. Proposition 21 does not reduce state legislators’ flexibility, it eliminates it. She should know that state parks have been underfunded for a generation. Last year’s headlines about threatened park closures was only the most recent manifestation legislators using their “flexibility” to cut even further state parks funding. The decades of state parks underfunding has created $1 billion of deferred maintenance that state legislators’ flexibility will never address. For the cost of five lattes, this measure forever removes state parks from the budget process and fully funds parks. It creates a fund that the legislature cannot raid for any other purpose.
Parks are like education. They are not just a budget line item. They are a measure of the values of our society as a whole. Parks are a priority, but they will never be the headline-making hot button issue that politicians respond to. By the time Lisa sees adequate funding for parks by a method she deems proper – well, it will never happen.
Ron Erskine, Morgan Hill, and the author of “Getting Out” column that appears every Friday in the Times
Vote no on Measure A
Dear Editor,
Vote NO on Measure A and $29 will be added to your property tax for the next 10 years. Most of the children that need this program are from families that do NOT own property. Santa Clara County has Medi-Cal available.
If the family is making more than what Medi-Cal has set up as an income limit then they will have a share of cost to pay each month. Why should all homeowners pay for something for 10 years that do not affect them? In the last election a bond was passed to “help” expand Valley Medical Center. We will be paying for that for years to come. I say vote NO on Measure A.
Linda Salazar, Morgan Hill
Campaign signs show candidates’ blatant disregard for laws
Dear Editor,
After reading your front page article in the paper about the illegal posting of campaign signs on city property, I am dumbfounded that very few signs, if any, have been removed. This blatant disregard for the law speaks volumes about the character and ethics of the candidates wanting to serve the citizens. Shame on them!
On the other hand, shame on the city administrators for allowing this defacing of city property to continue. They state they don’t have the resources to address this issue, but I find that difficult to believe. The graffiti abatement officer, the code enforcement officer or a public works member could easily take the signs down in a couple of hours. If the candidates want them back, they could pay to get them out of storage. Perhaps the real reason the law isn’t being enforced is because the mayor and council members are the offenders. If the city still finds an excuse not to use city workers to do this task, let me know. I will gladly remove the signs from the city’s fences.
Jeff Miles, Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill festivals are greatly appreciated
Dear Editor,
As a resident of Morgan Hill, I am always pleased to attend festivals and community events in our town.
Events such as Mushroom Mardi Gras and the most recent, Taste of Morgan Hill, bring families and old friends together. It is nice to be able to attend a fun-filled event with the entire family knowing that there is something for everyone at any age from wine tasting to face painting.
At this year’s Taste of Morgan Hill, I was happy to run into past high school teachers and catch up with old classmates who I have not seen since graduating from Live Oak.
Regardless of having to deal with the difficulty of finding parking, festivals in our community are greatly appreciated by its residents and vendors. Taste of Morgan Hill definitely succeeded at another successful year.
Although Morgan Hill may not have many attractions to lure visitors, community festivals such as those mentioned sure do put our name on the map.
Kassandra Pena, Morgan Hill
