Another Look at Overpopulation

Congratulations for having the insight and courage to print an article that highlights the serious problem of population growth in California (“Infinite Ingress,” by Lee Green, Jan. 25). This is not an issue that should polarize along party lines. It pertains to everyone’s quality of life and the conservation of our natural and social resources. As we continue to grow in size, we increase the burden not only on ourselves, but also on future generations.

Many people wishing to obfuscate this reality to advance factional agendas cast unfounded and politically motivated aspersions against those who call for greater controls on population growth. Political correctness has become a climate of fear in which free expression of public concerns on this and other issues is repressed. Politicians and educators feel they are committing career suicide if they even grant the population issue relevance.

Michael W. Brewster

Associate Environmental Planner, California Department of Transportation

San Diego

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There needs to be a thoughtful alignment of market forces, regional planning efforts and state fiscal policy to encourage appropriate growth. We cannot halt growth, but we can minimize many of its negative effects. State legislation should be enacted to require local governments to reduce or eliminate fees and taxes on projects in developed areas.

Second, few would argue that long commutes are healthy for family life, or that freeway congestion and smog are desirable. A long-term solution is a significant increase in the gas tax. The majority of these proceeds should go toward maintaining and improving roads and highways, a lesser portion should be for mass transit, and poor citizens should receive a gas tax credit.

Thomas A. Burhenn

Sierra Madre