Deciding How to Vote on the Car Insurance Initiatives

The Times is correct in its editorial (“Yes on 100, No on 103,” Oct. 27). If voters do not pass auto insurance reform this year we will never get reform. The Legislature failed to do its job and now it is up to the people to make the system truly fair and equitable. However, The Times criticism of Proposition 103 is unwarranted and unwise.

First, the claim that Proposition 103 will put insurance companies out of business is based on an assertion by state Insurance Commissioner Roxani Gillespie who merely “suspects” some companies will become insolvent. This is pretty weak evidence to support such a serious charge. Second, the idea that Proposition 103 will create legal havoc is similar to The Times “the sky is falling” argument against Proposition 13. The Times wasn’t right then, and it is not right now! Finally, the argument that insurance companies will be able to “buy” the election of any commissioner does not make sense. If insurance companies cannot buy the vote in November, how will they be able to buy votes later? I suspect that since the people do not trust insurance companies, any candidate who accepts their money will not have a chance of being elected.

Regardless of how one votes, vote for reform this year.

JOHN R. TORRES

Glendora