Gas tax need | Letters to the editor, Oct. 12, 2018

Gas tax needed badly to fix roads

Proposition 6, the gasoline tax hike. I’ve been driving California roads for 64 years. For about half that time we had the best roads in the nation. Then our money managers in Sacramento found other ways to spend our money and forgot about the roads. We now have terrible roads. The last tax for road improvement was used for other things, proving we can’t trust our money managers But we also know that without extra money our roads will not be kept up. I’m willing to take that chance and vote for the gas tax. Some say it will hurt the low-income people Well, I fall into that category. I drive an older Chevy that averages 27 mpg and probably drive the average of 10,000 miles per year That comes to 370 gals per year. At 12 cents per gallon that comes to $44 per year or .85 per week. No hardship there and well worth the cost. Proposition 6 gets my no vote.

Better roads means improved economy

Regarding your article about “rough roads affect fuel mileage”, this is a crucial issue that needs more attention. California is one of the highest tax-paying states in the country, yet still ranked fourth on worst roads. The problem is no longer insufficient funds when only 20 percent of our tax funds are spent on infrastructure. These are basic to economic development and growth. With connectivity, the economy will open to the outside world, and trade and commerce will flourish. According to Jeremy Gregory, “Excess fuel consumption and air emissions can be significantly reduced by building stiffer roads and maintaining smoother pavement,” and I couldn’t agree more. The average gas price federally is currently about $2.50, but in California it’s over $3.50. We need better infrastructure because it’ll overall help mileage, boost our economy, and just progressively benefit us as society.

They are laughing in our face

How can the current crop of Republican senators and congressmen/women not see that Trump is making the U.S. look like a fool before the world? In Trump’s speech before the UN on Sept. 25, his typically boastful remarks drew laughter from the General Assembly. He’s accomplished one thing: the world is no longer laughing behind our backs. As one commenter said, it took less than two years (Amazing!).

Mount Rushmore, they are not

I recently returned from a visit to Mount Rushmore. While there I was reintroduced to the ideas and ideals of the four presidents. Upon reflection it occurred to me that our current leader and GOP Congress are totally devoid of ideas and ideals, replaced by a clamoring to fill their greed in all its forms, both monetary and social.

Gun violence not addressed

I read with interest the letter titled “When police have issues.” I do believe anyone with mental issues should not carry a gun.. We seem ready to say “someone should do something” and in the next breath, we say “don’t raise my taxes to help pay for it.” With the many military actions that the United States is involved in, here are men and women returning home daily with PTSD. They join those who are already looking for help. They work in many capacities through out America. Some are receiving help, some haven’t been diagnosed yet and some are waiting for space in overcrowded programs. When we see a man in uniform, we say, “ thanks for your service.” I have never heard any one say I am willing to help pay for your medical and mental health needs. I am suggesting that we look to ourselves and our societal priorities. We cannot criticize the institutions that we’ve chosen to underfund for the unintended consequences that have resulted from our actions.