Utilities Should Not Compete

Re “Crisis Darkens State Christmas Tree,” Dec. 6: Once more, the rule of law has been applied to an area requiring logic and technology.

Certain industries are natural monopolies due to the large investment in infrastructure or level of standardization they require. However, our government has decided the rules of economics do not apply and the electric utilities have to compete. Well, in the last two weeks, the plant I work at has been shut down repeatedly. Each shutdown cost at least a half a shift of pay for our people and a full shift of production for the company.

The United States had the best power system in the world before the lawyers and government started fixing it. I wonder what improvements they have in store for us in the future? Maybe the water companies can compete and cholera will make a comeback.

The government should get back to governing, be satisfied with regulating those industries that are natural monopolies and let those who know the businesses run them.

CHRIS DALY

Yucaipa

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Gov. Gray Davis and state legislators should get a clue. Pacific Standard Time is not synonymous with energy conservation. Especially at Christmastime.

BOB GINN

Arcadia