Danger in Mortgaging California’s Future

Re “Governor Takes Case to People,” Dec. 3: What did Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have to say about the Democrats’ proposal for tax increases and the Republicans’ for cutting programs? He said, “All those kinds of ideas were out there. And the people had a chance to vote. And they voted for my plan.” Does anyone else see the problem with this? He had no plan when he campaigned for governor, and his ill-thought-out proposal to borrow billions is exactly why former Gov. Gray Davis was thrown out of office.

Seems like the governor should not have torn that giant credit card in half at the San Diego rally. He may need to borrow against it.

Michael Campbell

Anaheim

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Schwarzenegger’s bond bailout plan is a chicken’s way to settle California’s fiscal crisis. Future generations would have to pay interest plus the balance due because our legislators can’t do what we elected them to do: devise a sensible plan and enact it into law. Adult people pay their debts. Childish people want to escape them. Our state deficit should be paid by a combination of taxes, cuts and bonds. The Republicans’ refusal to embrace taxes for more affluent people has gotten our state and nation into a terrible fix.

“Taxes” is not a dirty word, but referendums on complex subjects are. Ordinary people are very busy with their lives; state legislators are supposed to be very busy devising wise policy. And spending cuts that hit people who don’t vote show the most cynical disrespect for citizens I can imagine. Give me a break. Why not lay off state employees? Are the legislators doing anything in Sacramento?

Maryl Jo Peltzie

South Pasadena

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There is a simple solution to the California budget problems. A $1-per-gallon tax on gasoline for two years would more than pay for the deficit. Gasoline would still be a good buy when compared with prices in Europe, and there would be other benefits such as less pollution and less traffic. Also, public transportation would get more use.

Bob Kerber

Oceanside