Sarah Palin and Ronald Reagan; the influence of money in politics; behind the scenes in Egypt

Only one Reagan

Re “Palin casts self in Reagan mold,” Feb. 5

Sarah Palin’s attempt to cast herself in the Reagan mold is laughable at best. Her anti-intellectual position is nothing more than another of the ad hominem, bandwagon, emotive arguments for which she is so famous, stirring up “mob mentality” by attacking the present administration.

The “small government” Palin advocates would be far more authoritarian than anything proffered by the Obama administration. Indeed, a Republican (or “tea party”) government would basically annihilate Social Security, Medicare and the Environmental Protection Agency, remove a woman’s right to choose and promote some extremist brand of Christianity, autocratically removing more and more of the freedoms we currently enjoy.

Palin stands for nothing more than promotion of Sarah Palin. The fact that so many people are actually convinced by her brand of argumentation is truly frightening. She is most definitely not Ronald Reagan.

Rebecca S. Hertsgaard

Palm Desert

While Palin continues her attempt to cut and paste her way into Reagan’s legacy, the simple reality is that there is no comparison between the two. Though there is debate regarding his legacy, Reagan no doubt genuinely sought to uplift the American spirit.

Quoting snippets of Reagan’s speeches does not remake Palin in his image, nor does it give her the political cachet that she so desperately seeks.

Rodney K. Boswell

Thousand Oaks

Buying into political power

Re “Conservative duo reach seat of power,” Feb. 6

What hope is there for the world when billionaires such as the Koch brothers use their financial clout to oppose Earth-saving measures like those proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency?

We are outraged by power-hungry despots in other countries. Our kettle is just as black when money and its attendant sway put the Earth itself in jeopardy.

Is this what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they set up representative government?

Peggy Aylsworth Levine

Santa Monica

Who do I see about the fact that American democracy has been completely eviscerated, quietly and legally, by American business?

It isn’t only the Koch brothers; they are simply the most blatant example. They bought the legislators who sit on the House committee that regulates their industry. Business wins, democracy loses. And it is happening in broad daylight.

This is exactly why so many people don’t vote. This is why it doesn’t really matter whether the politician you vote for is a Democrat or a Republican, because in the end, the levers are pulled by the businessmen who pay to get them elected.

Seriously, who do I talk to about this?

Bart Braverman

Los Angeles

I don’t know what is more disturbing: the fact that my government is owned by corporate ideologues, or the economic and environmental consequences of this fact.

Instead of inspiring and possibly winning the race to become the world leader in green technology, we will be remembered (or more likely, forgotten) as the unsuccessful stumbling block that delayed progress in moving toward a sustainable world. Too bad our children and ecosystems will pay the price because we allowed politics and ideals to overcome science and logic.

Martin Byhower

Lomita

The real face of Egypt

Re “An Egypt of the people,” Opinion, Feb. 4

Thanks for Ronald Brownstein’s column. It’s refreshing to have a genuine journalist cut through the breathless, gushing accounts of the uprising.

About 80% of Egyptians favor the death penalty for adulterers and those who renounce Islam. Think about that when your eyes mist over while watching the angry street mobs. Posters depicting President Hosni Mubarak have been defaced with the Star of David.

Despite the dumbing-down of history and the simplification of world events, aided and abetted by the media, America is about to learn a very harsh lesson.

Michael Jenning

Van Nuys

Brownstein’s article was a real eye-opener in one respect: Only 17% of Egyptians have a favorable view of the U.S.

I have had a lifelong fascination with ancient Egypt and had hoped one day to see the country’s archeological treasures. But now I may never do so, even if a democratic government emerges. I simply cannot see giving economic support to a country whose population so opposes both the U.S. and Israel, and in the process subjecting myself to what would likely be a hostile attitude by the citizenry.

And I suspect other Americans may also be rethinking plans to visit Egypt in light of such revelations.

William Mella

Simi Valley

Gun crazy

Re “The Tucson excuse,” Editorial, Feb. 4

I have been out of work for 10 months. I have interviewed with many companies. In some cases, for me to even be considered for an interview, I have been required to take many tests, submit to drug screening and agree to very extensive background checks.

But I can purchase a gun and as much ammo as I want with few questions asked.

This makes no sense, and Democrats are correct in calling for strengthening the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Your editorial points out that 1.6 million mental health records have not been entered into the database. The alleged Tucson shooter reportedly used drugs. I have no such history, but I am willing to comply with the testing to help me get a job.

Why would anyone not want gun buyers to submit to tests that would prove they are qualified to own and operate a weapon?

Carolyn Crandall

Camarillo

Stormy weather

Re “Midwest copes with storm remains,” Feb. 4

We seem destined to experience increasingly frequent “unprecedented” events. Other extreme events include the recent catastrophic droughts and fires in Russia and flooding in Australia.

We refuse to acknowledge that something besides the usual variation in climate is taking place. Just as scientists have predicted, increases in the overall temperature of the Earth are causing more extreme weather.

Science, which has revolutionized our culture, is discounted when it warns us that we are

transforming our climate through the burning of fossil fuels. Instead,

scientifically illiterate ideologues in Congress and media blowhards foster confusion.

The longer they prevail, the harder it will be to reverse the unparalleled disruptions that climate change will bring about.

Grace Bertalot

Anaheim

Paying the price

Re “Hospital bill stuns uninsured newlywed,” Business, Feb. 6

I have no sympathy for this person’s irresponsible behavior because he didn’t buy health insurance. Adding himself to his wife’s insurance or buying a basic plan would have made his hospital bill manageable.

Uninsured people who can afford insurance increase the cost of care for those who play by the rules. Part of the reason costs are high is that emergency rooms have to see patients irrespective of their ability to pay. The hospital compensates by jacking up costs.

That’s why the “individual mandate” in the new healthcare reform law is a good idea. It will eventually lead to lower premiums and will force those who want healthcare without paying for it to buy insurance.

Dinesh Ghiya, MD

Whittier