Relieving, or Reliving, California’s Debt?

Re “This Bitter Pill Is Too Hard to Swallow,” Feb. 22: Thank you, Steve Lopez, for giving the necessary message. Apparently our politicians, fearful for their well-paid jobs, will not tell us the truth, but you did. Voters must reject Proposition 57. We, the present generation, got ourselves into California’s huge debts with the help of foolish deregulation and rapacious suppliers of energy. But such is the fact, and it is up to us to show courage and pay the bill rather than dump the burden on our innocent children by presenting them with a debt of $15 billion.

Lopez shows, by well-reasoned arguments, that modest tax increases, for a limited term, will get us out of debt. The vain promises of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the lack of discipline among our legislators must not deter us from stepping up to our losses, paying them off and returning California to financial integrity. The first step is for the public to say no to Proposition 57.

Mortimer Chambers

Los Angeles

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I am in the $140,000-plus bracket that would receive a 0.7% (from 9.3% to 10%) hike under state Treasurer Phil Angelides’ plan if Proposition 57 is defeated. I achieved this level of income about eight years ago. Last year two things happened: I became a millionaire (by investing a fair share of my income through the years), and I got $20,000 back on my taxes.

My 0.7% increase equates to $1,400. To my fellow well-off Californians, I say, if you love this state, pony up; don’t be a crybaby. I’ll go a step further and suggest that Proposition 13 be reconsidered for high-priced properties. Ask Warren Buffett about that one.

Scott Dempster

Ventura

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At a substantial cost to us taxpayers, we ousted Gov. Gray Davis for raising auto registration fees to help balance the budget. TV ads promised us a new man who would rescind the registration fee and balance the books by getting rid of government waste -- and at no cost to the taxpayer. Now I see Schwarzenegger on TV asking us for $15 billion to help balance the budget. I’m confused. You mean, other than cutting back on badly needed social and educational programs, there was no government waste to be found?

Albert Obregon

Sunland

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What would Republicans have said if Davis had proposed the passage of Propositions 57 and 58 before the recall? “Borrow and spend” would have been their chant. I will vote no on Propositions 57 and 58 and yes on Proposition 56. Let the governor show that he can govern better than Davis -- without the second mortgage.

Jerry Moore

Cerritos

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Re “Squander It. Your Duty is Clear,” Commentary, Feb. 22: Any liberal who feels that she or he is undertaxed, rejoice! Both the state of California and the IRS have easy and convenient ways to voluntarily contribute any excess income you are feeling guilty about -- not just the refund of California’s vehicle license fee and President Bush’s recent tax cuts. Consult their respective websites for details.

Why is it so threatening to the big-government types that citizens want to keep more of their own incomes? I trust California families to make better decisions about spending their money than any government can.

Paul S. Dwan

Pacific Palisades