Poverty on the rise in the U.S.; counties and inmates; Buddhaville

Poor policies

Re “U.S. poverty totals hit a 50-year high,” Sept. 14

Poverty in the United States hits a 50-year high, children are homeless, our educational system is deteriorating and our healthcare is expensive. All this has become possible because power and greed are now the norm.

Would it be too much to ask for a CEO to take home a little less pay so he would not have to lay off workers? Would it be too much to ask wealthy individuals and corporations to pay more in taxes? Would it be asking too much to help those who have suffered natural disasters? Would it be too much for Congress to use a little common sense? Would it be too much to create jobs now?

A country that does not care for its citizens, especially its children, cannot survive.

Lucia Dzwonczyk

San Pedro

If you now find yourself poor, before you blame the government, ask yourself these questions:

Did I have children that I cannot afford without taxpayer-financed handouts? Did I buy a house for which I knew I could not pay? Did I max out my credit cards, then sign up for more? Instead of buying a modest vehicle that will meet my needs, did I treat myself to a top-of-the-line one? Does my family own all of the “must have” electronic gadgets? Do I feel entitled to all of these things and demand that those doing better contribute their “fair share”?

We who have been responsible can no longer be punished by being forced to pay for the safety net for those who choose to be irresponsible. What happens when the government gravy train of entitlements gets derailed because there’s nobody left who can pay for it?

Annie Caroline Schuler

West Hollywood

The rest of the world now makes everything from shoelaces to space hardware — the things we used to make. The decline in America’s once-booming manufacturing industry, which has been given to other countries, is playing a major role in expanding the ranks of the poor here. An example is China, a recipient of our industries, which has a rapidly growing middle class at our expense.

We have millions of idle hands not making things, and that was our economy. Our politicians talk jobs but don’t have a clue what kind.

Kenneth Johnson

Pinon Hills

Nice little graph that showed historic poverty rates. It’s too bad a line indicating when each president took office wasn’t overlaid to help clarify which administrations’ policies helped or hurt us most. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Susan Rowton

La Cañada Flintridge

Re “6 million in state live in poverty,” Business, Sept. 14

More than 16% of people in California live below the poverty line. Unemployment is near 13%. Democrats have dominated the Legislature for more than a decade, and California continues to reelect them.

This is a Shakespearean tragedy unfolding in front of our eyes. People need to drop their fealty to their political parties and realize that the current group has run the state into the ground. Time for a complete shake-up.

Craig P. Fagan

San Diego

No dodge

Re “Sacramento’s inmate dodge,” Editorial, Sept. 9

The Times states, “The transfer [of inmates] is forever, but the budget provides funding for only nine months.” Realignment provides a dedicated and permanent revenue stream to counties. The only piece that is temporary is the allocation of these revenues to individual counties. This one-time allocation for 2011-12 came at the request of counties. A permanent allocation will take place next year.

The budget Gov. Jerry Brown signed in June dedicates a portion of state sales tax and vehicle license fees directly to counties to finance realignment. This funding will generate $400 million this year, growing to more than $850 million next year and more than $1 billion the year after that.

When the governor signed the bill establishing realignment, he was clear: “I will not sign legislation that would seek to implement this measure without the necessary funding.” He will continue his efforts to seek constitutional protection for the funds.

Ana J. Matosantos

Sacramento

The writer is director of the state Department of Finance.

Paradise lost

Re “No serene ending for the place called ‘Buddhaville,’ ” Sept. 12

The 2008 raid on the hippie-like community of “Buddhaville” in Humboldt County is a prime example of how a group of people becomes victims of federal law. From all accounts, the people of Lost Paradise Land Co. kept to themselves.

Beyond some marijuana plants, the defendants seemed to be law-abiding. Settlers bought land in pursuit of a counterculture that shied away from a rigid social system; they simply wanted to be left alone. But the group ended up with the opposite.

For the people of Buddhaville, the law did not protect them; in fact, it really didn’t protect anyone. The illogical raid disrupted an otherwise pleasant lifestyle. It may not have been a way of life most agreed with, but it was theirs nonetheless.

Jazmyne Sutton

Malibu

Sugar standoff

Re “Sweet surrender?,” Editorial, Sept. 13

As a concerned reader, I agree that the name change to corn sugar is solely a marketing technique to change the negative connotations of the words “high-fructose corn syrup.” As a college student studying communication, ethically I believe it is manipulation. Consumers may believe they are making a more wholesome choice.

Our country has a huge obesity problem. Maybe food manufacturers that use corn syrup should focus more on providing a healthier alternative rather than a name change. Quick fixes don’t do the trick, and this sure isn’t my first magic show.

Jena Lynch

Northridge

Financial woes

Re “Refinancing a bubble,” Editorial, Sept. 14

The Times advocates a move by the government to ease the financial burden for those who are unable to pay their mortgages. You state that “borrowers are caught in a trap not of their own making.”

When I signed mortgage documents, it was clear to me what my monthly payments would be. While there may have been a few unscrupulous lenders, I’d guess that nearly all of the borrowers understood the terms. It was the rush of borrowers hoping to make money on a rising real estate market that created the bubble.

The people who pay their bills but lost money in the financial meltdown are the ones caught in a trap not of their own making.

John Vasi

Santa Barbara

Profligate

Re “GOP takes Weiner’s House seat,” Sept. 14

So Bob Turner, a former producer for “The Jerry Springer Show,” has won the New York seat formerly held by Anthony Weiner, who resigned because he sent lewd photos to women over the Internet.

Also, Mark Amodei won the Nevada seat once held by John Ensign, who resigned amid a sex and lobbying scandal.

I’ve always thought that if I won the lottery, I would spend half of it on wine, women and song, and the rest would be spent foolishly. Obviously I am qualified to represent our nation in Congress.

Bill Homann

San Marcos

Costly good news

Re “Best news money can buy,” Sept. 13

Really? The Central Basin Municipal Water District, a public agency, felt the need to hire a consultant to establish favorable news content on the Internet to the tune of $11,500 per month for four stories? Nice work if you can get it.

No wonder the state is broke.

Frederick Dickinson

Downey