Our Readers Write

Get off the field

Let’s get this straight. You want to protest the statements of the President of the United States of America? Fine. Not a problem. Before, during or after the game, have at it. Press conferences, banners between the plays, or hand signals during the plays — not a problem. Not during the national anthem of my country.

To disrespect the symbol of “The Great American Experiment,” which started with a war that lasted from 1775 into 1783 and has been continued through the service and sacrifice of millions in uniform and their families by “taking a knee” or not even coming out of the locker room for the national anthem? This is not a presentation of dissatisfaction with the President of the United States of America. It is a presentation of total disrespect to the concept of the United States of America and those who have ensured “The Great American Experiment” has continued for over 225 years.

It seems someone forgot that NFL stands for National Football League. Get off the field and stay off the field. Personal stupidity foul. Expelled from the profession.

Rex A. Schildhouse

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr, retired and fed up

Ramona

Taxes, entitlements and national debt

Who should be taxed? What is a just tax? It is argued that Adam Smith said, “Taxation should be imposed in proportion to the benefits a taxpayer receives from the state and should be predictable, convenient and efficient.” Does this not read like our income tax that was enacted under the 16^th Amendment to our Constitution?

Some say that the income tax destroys incentive. Others argue that it tends to equalize wealth. Did or have any of these arguments been realized since the adoption of the 16^th Amendment over a century ago? I think not.

The country has not fallen apart as many predicted. The rich are getting richer. Some see disparity in wealth as a new phenomenon. Not true. All classes are economically “wealthier” than in the past. Particularly considering “entitlements,” EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) and the like, and not accounting for the huge national debt.

Taxation is one of history’s oldest arrangements. The style of taxation has not changed much over the centuries. The American Revolution was in part fought over taxation and the Founders were rather ambiguous on taxation.

No income tax was imposed until the Civil War. Taxpayers declared their own income, tax collection was corrupt. It was politically abolished in 1872 ,even though the government needed revenue.

An income tax was enacted in 1894 but it was declared a direct tax, which had to be apportioned based upon a state population and thus unconstitutional. In essence the 16^th Amendment took the income tax out of the direct tax category by declaring it an indirect tax. The 16^th Amendment gave Congress extended taxing power.

We the people for what we see as “our immediate entitlements” allow our Congress to spend, spend and spend without having to pay the piper. The only way that I can see to pay down the national debt is through inflation. Paying back what was good money with bad money.

My dad, after a rare movie at the Bijou in 1935, bought the family double-deck ice cream cones for three nickels each. If the government spent a couple hundred thousand, it was a big deal. Today our government spends a billion like it is pocket change and a trillion seems like a trip to the ATM!

Our Congress operates like the Three Stooges or Inspector Jacques Clouseau, but all seems to end well. Fairy tales used to begin “Once upon a time.” Now they begin “When I am elected.”

Don’t tax me, don’t tax thee, tax the other guy/gal behind the tree.

John Rajcic

Ramona

Join the 4-H fun

Fall is in the air and it’s time to sign up for the Ramona Stars 4-H club. We have an exciting year ahead of us with many projects available — Sewing, Cooking, Visual Arts, Performing Arts (Speech), Record Book Keeping, Photography, Leadership, Bee Keeping, Swine, Sheep, Llama, Meat and Dairy Goat, Steer, Cavies, Dog, Horse, Poultry and Rockets — whatever your interest, I’m sure we can find a project that would be great for you.

We incorporate many community service projects throughout the year, as well. Come join the fun and be a 4-H’er. The county fairs, community service and fun events are awaiting you.

Our Ramona Stars 4-H community club meets every second Wednesday of the month except for December. Join us at 7 p.m. at the Ramona Junior Fairgrounds Home Ec. Building, 431 Aqua Lane. See you there!

Tawny Troiano

Ramona Stars 4-H Club

Corresponding Secretary

Dangerous comments

Congressman Duncan Hunter calls for preemptive nuclear strike. He was interviewed on San Diego TV station. As quoted, Hunter declared, “I would preemptively strike them (North Korea). You call it declaring war, call it whatever you want.”

I call it obliterating over 25 million men, women, and children, and retaliation, targeting major cities, like San Diego. Simply insane.

Retired General David Petraeus cautioned, “You do not want the other side thinking that you might be sufficiently irrational to conduct a first strike or to do something, you know, so-called unthinkable.”

The tension between North Korea and the United States is escalating while Trump and Kim Jong-un call each other names. Based on Jong-un’s irrational, unstable nature, Hunter’s arbitrary comments are just downright dangerous.

Susan Conrad

Ramona

Don’t be played by Indivisible

I found Susan Conrad’s ignorance about George Soros a little disingenuous at best since his name is so prominent in the news and revered in the Progressive movement for his funding of various groups including Tides Foundation. People on Indivisible Guide are directly linked to George Soros including three of its board members.

The assertion that George Soros’ activities during Occupied Hungary didn’t occur because he was too young? He was 14 at the time and as he said in a 1962 60 Minutes interview that working with the Nazis against his own people defined his conscience.

Indivisible as a group has a two step strategy. They go to a legislator’s town hall and become as disruptive as possible like they did at Congressman Duncan Hunter’s several months ago. Then when the congressmen don’t want to participate in their horse and pony show they show up at his house in mass like the 200 that thronged Congressman Darrell Issa’s home several months ago and John Faso (D NY), dragging their families into it. Pure Alinsky tactics.

When I showed up at their meeting after the Duncan Hunter fiasco and started video recording the event on my phone they threatened legal action if I published it, even though I had the right to be there and do it as it was in a public meeting room. What did they fear would be made public — the truth?

Their actions speak louder than their platitudes. Their stated goal is to undermine the Trump agenda and reset our nation back on the Progressive track Obama had it on the past eight years that has been rejected the past three election cycles by any means they can. Don’t be played.

Dr. Gary B. Myers, OD

Ramona