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Rankled by raises
Re “State pay hikes are withdrawn,” April 23
It is becoming more clear each day in California that politicians care only about themselves. It's also nice to know that after the news leaked about the pay raises, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Minority Leader Michael Villines thought they were a "mistake."
What kind of people are we electing? Are Bass and Villines aware that the unemployment rate has skyrocketed and most people feel lucky to even have a job? Everyone I know is worried about the future. Many companies have slashed pay, benefits and expenses.
Don't worry, Speaker Bass, we will suffer while you and your staff work to save this great state from ruin.
Mary Cifuentes
Glendale
After months of partisan political wrangling, the Democratic and Republican leadership in the Assembly finally reached an agreement on a budget issue: pay raises for their staffs amid a recession and a monster state deficit.
Most disturbing is that the politicians who crafted this boondoggle did not have the intellect or the political awareness to identify the raises as improper long before they became public. Only after they've been slammed by massive public outcry do we see these leaders become enlightened enough to acknowledge their "mistake."
The fate of the state is still in the hands of these so-called leaders, and I find no cause for hope given this fact.
Mike Post
Winnetka
Harman's troubles
Re “The real story behind a faux scandal,” Opinion, April 22
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) is entitled to a presumption of innocence regarding the allegations that she offered to intervene on behalf of pro-Israeli lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in exchange for support for her to be named chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee.
However, let us not lose sight of the seriousness of the allegations. If true, Harman was seeking to gain authority in the U.S. government by acting in the interest of a foreign government. This would raise the question: What country's interests does Harman serve?
Scott Bentley
Malibu
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Re “State pay hikes are withdrawn,” April 23
It is becoming more clear each day in California that politicians care only about themselves. It's also nice to know that after the news leaked about the pay raises, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Minority Leader Michael Villines thought they were a "mistake."
What kind of people are we electing? Are Bass and Villines aware that the unemployment rate has skyrocketed and most people feel lucky to even have a job? Everyone I know is worried about the future. Many companies have slashed pay, benefits and expenses.
Don't worry, Speaker Bass, we will suffer while you and your staff work to save this great state from ruin.
Mary Cifuentes
Glendale
After months of partisan political wrangling, the Democratic and Republican leadership in the Assembly finally reached an agreement on a budget issue: pay raises for their staffs amid a recession and a monster state deficit.
Most disturbing is that the politicians who crafted this boondoggle did not have the intellect or the political awareness to identify the raises as improper long before they became public. Only after they've been slammed by massive public outcry do we see these leaders become enlightened enough to acknowledge their "mistake."
The fate of the state is still in the hands of these so-called leaders, and I find no cause for hope given this fact.
Mike Post
Winnetka
Harman's troubles
Re “The real story behind a faux scandal,” Opinion, April 22
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) is entitled to a presumption of innocence regarding the allegations that she offered to intervene on behalf of pro-Israeli lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in exchange for support for her to be named chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee.
However, let us not lose sight of the seriousness of the allegations. If true, Harman was seeking to gain authority in the U.S. government by acting in the interest of a foreign government. This would raise the question: What country's interests does Harman serve?
Scott Bentley
Malibu
::
