Letters to the editor

Hollywood is no help

Re “Iranian official demands apology from visiting Hollywood group,” March 2

Iran’s protest of a visit from Hollywood producers and actors and its distress over the film “300,” which depicts the battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, should call our attention to Herodotus, the Greek chronicler of the Persian Wars.

Herodotus wrote that he studied history “so that human achievements may not be forgotten in time, and great and marvelous deeds -- some displayed by Greeks, some by barbarians -- may not be without their glory; and especially to show why two peoples fought each other.”

The Persians ultimately lost the wars, yielding the possibility of Western civilization. We are engaged again in a similar conflict, and it does not serve us well when posturing celebrities such as Annette Bening and Alfre Woodard engage the talons of the beast in Tehran under the delusion of fostering artistic exchange.

David Johannesen

Topanga

California dysfunction

Re “Less of a return on the tax dollar,” News Analysis, March 1

Based on my experience, scholar Joel Kotkin understates the comparison of Texas’ roads and schools with California’s -- they are not “better than or equal to ours,” they are far better. And as for the tax differences between the two states, I paid far more real estate tax per dollar value of my home in Texas, though I paid far less for the home. Those taxes, though, went directly to my local school district and roads, which were excellent.

It is clear to me that our state government and our tax allocation system in California are out of control to the point of utter dysfunction. California once led the nation with its highways and public education. We must send a message to our legislators to put the good of the people over the partisan ideology, stonewalling and manipulation that has become acceptable here.

Jan Stallones

Corona

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There is a reason we pay more and get less: illegal immigration.

Unless this is addressed, we will rapidly move toward the Mexican quality of life rather than the American, doing favors for no one.

Laws need to be enforced; people need to be deported.

Adam White

Burbank

Taxpayers stuck with tabs

Re “State-funded trips zip right past frugality,” March 1, and “Lawmakers go on a quiet hunt for waste,” Column, March 2

On Sunday, The Times ran an expose of high-ranking officials who seek reimbursement for questionable, and possibly fraudulent, expenses.

On Monday, George Skelton reported on the creation of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, an attempt to trace government waste and fraud.

A few suggestions for California officials:

* Abolish the committee and read the paper.

* File criminal charges against everyone exposed by The Times as an example to others.

* Don’t insult our intelligence by pretending you care. Have your stupid meeting, adjourn, and go to an expensive restaurant and bill the taxpayers for dinner.

David Goodwin

Los Angeles

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This is yet another example of why I never vote for any tax increase. If every penny paid to every government worker were published on the Internet, we would see firsthand who our so-called public servants actually serve.

G. Douglas Andersen

Brea

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I frequently disagree with The Times’ editorial positions, but the article about the state-funded trips for California’s appointed bureaucrats illustrates why newspapers and top-notch reporters are so vital.

Marilyn J. Collier

Twentynine Palms

Paper cuts hurt

Re “Local news front and center,” March 3

Tuesday morning, when I picked up my skinny little newspaper, I was compelled to write this letter.

I am one of the many people who love to read. I love the sensation of holding paper in hand and curling up in a favorite spot for a good story. Mine happens to be the back window, looking out over the garden. A well-lived life is made up of small but meaningful pleasures like this one.

The loss of paper journalism is a travesty. It caters to our younger society, which wants things fast, short and preferably on a hand-held piece of technology. I know I speak for many when I lament the dwindling printed word.

I, and many others, will pay good money to have our substantial newspaper back again. I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. Can we talk?

Diana Zaslove Kahn

Culver City

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One of the first things that I did when I moved to Los Angeles six years ago was start an everyday subscription to The Times. I am now canceling that subscription.

During my time here, there has been a steady decline in the number and depth of news articles. Today, the paper has again downgraded its coverage by rolling the California section into the front section.

I understand The Times has a goal of cutting costs. However, the paper should remember that if it also continues to gut its coverage, at some point it no longer has a product worth its price.

Jesse Bloom

Pasadena

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Thank you for streamlining my morning. Without the California section, there is so little in the paper I want to read that I’m up and out in no time.

I can’t wait until you go tabloid.

Cynthia A. Smith

Venice

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Re “A Chronicle that befits San Francisco,” Column, March 1

Rather than bailing out the banks, let’s consider bailing out the newspapers. When publications like the Rocky Mountain News, the San Francisco Chronicle and other dailies are on the verge of extinction, who will then serve as the guardians of justice and accountability? Who will keep a watchful eye on the democratic process?

Declining newspaper coverage is a heavy blow to 1st Amendment advocates.

Louisa B. Caucia

Montrose

Money 101

Re “Reaching L.A.’s ‘unbanked,’ ” Opinion, Feb. 25

Many residents in poor neighborhoods have learned the hard way that opening a bank account is very expensive -- often more so than relying on the neighborhood check-cashing store.

I request copies of six months of bank statements to qualify a customer for a payday loan at one of my stores. As I review these statements, I see many nonsufficient funds fees, at $24 to $35 apiece. If a customer deposits a check and writes another check that is debited that same day, he is overdrawn, because the bank does not credit the deposit until the next day. That fee may result in his next check and the one after it also being charged. A downward spiral has begun.

As Manuel Pastor suggests, until banks provide truly inexpensive checking accounts and teach customers how to use them, they cannot assist poor neighborhoods. People use our services because they always know how much cash is available to them.

Dorothy Roberts

Los Angeles

Re “Reaching L.A.’s ‘unbanked,’ ” Opinion, Feb. 25