Primary Election

Regarding the massive failure of bond measures, I believe that voters (those of us who vote) have finally sent the politicians a message, which, as I expect, they will fail to understand. The message is: Voters are fed up with the lavish retirement benefits bestowed on selected individuals and huge salary increases for high-ranking government administrators and politicians. In the past decade, whenever voters approved these bond measures (which relieved fiscal pressures on state and local government budgets), we often found that agency heads and politicians often pocketed this money rather than spent it to benefit the general public. Maybe this time, these huge salary and retirement benefit increases can be stopped.

MARVIN BRILL

Yucaipa

* I don’t know whether I feel more angry or sad at the selfish and callous rejection of Proposition 1A (earthquake relief) by my fellow Californians. Repair of public works to the side, this measure was the last hope for funding CALDAP, which was the last hope of assistance for thousands of victims who have been turned down by the SBA for emergency disaster loans.

I guess it’s just another sign of the times. All feelings of belonging to some social unit outside ourselves are disappearing fast, and neighborly compassion stops at the dollar sign. Cynical? You bet. Shame on California.

RICHARD D. KLINGER

Sherman Oaks

* Why vote against quake relief bonds (as I did) when repair of earthquake damage is essential (I think it is)? For the simple reason that Californians feel (as I do) that it is about time we bite the bullet and pay for our needs now (through taxes if necessary), instead of expecting our children and grandchildren to pick up the tab for us.

I. L. BEHRENDT

Los Angeles

* Is the influence of money in politics the end of democratic government? For the past few months, Californians have faced daily headlines alerting them of the fact that Michael Huffington had won his congressional seat, and was in the process of winning the Republican senatorial primary, because of his personal wealth.

The fact that his predecessor in the House consistently outspent his previous challengers, despite his advantage in name recognition as an incumbent, has not lessened the attacks on Huffington.

The influence of money in politics appears to be the media event in this election, the way term limits was before. The democratic process will not improve, whatever regulations are applied on the receipt or expenditure of political donations.

The democratic process is in danger, not because of money or because of tenure, but because only 33% of registered voters cast their vote, which means that less than 17% of the registered voters decide who will make the laws in this country. Add to that picture the 2,092,215 non-elected federal employees, (Defense Department not included), who interpret and administer the laws enacted by the elected legislators, and then you will understand why our representative government is not representative.

PETER ALEVRA

Santa Barbara

* Due to a family emergency, my husband was unable to vote. Noting that no proposition or race would have been changed by his vote, we commented jokingly that his vote obviously didn’t count.

There must be at least 100,000 people in California today saying the same thing. But think what a difference 100,000 votes could make!

We must realize the power of the people is not in our single vote but our collective voice. Each vote is a necessary part of that!

TILDA DEWOLFE

Monterey Park

* It is no surprise that the voter turnout was so abysmal. When candidates trivialize the issues by sending out colorful air-head mailings that say nothing beyond their positions on abortion and the death penalty, the unsaid leaves us as voting illiterates. Even more galling are the drawers-full of pot holders that accomplish nothing beyond name recognition. I’m not going to be bribed so cheaply.

ELAINE CORRINGTON

Los Angeles