Budget cuts and divisions

This editorial is exactly why I read The Times. In clear writing, it describes some logical solutions to our miserable financial situation. The legislators should have come up with these ideas; I hope they have, at least, read them.

Carol Cooperman

Fountain Valley

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I noticed that your editorial warns about the cliche “penny-wise, pound-foolish.” A number of other cliches come to mind, including “measure twice, cut once” and “a stitch in time saves nine.”

These cliches reflect the wisdom that quick fixes are more expensive than quality work. We have had a stream of quick budget fixes since Proposition 13, and both Proposition 1A and your editorial exemplify this failed approach.

It is time to fix our dysfunctional Constitution; all other proposals must be shoved aside to end our status as America’s “failed state.”

Charles Delgadillo

Santa Barbara

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As a subscriber and avid reader of The Times since 1957, I consider the editorial the most profound and incisive proposal it has ever offered to the state of California; more specifically, to a governor whose leadership has foundered and a Legislature that is mired in witless partisanship paralysis.

The only thing missing: courage on the part of elected officials to do what is in the proposal, knowing their votes may incur reelection risks.

John M. Freter

Yucca Valley

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I wish there was a way to send this to everyone in Sacramento.

I know I will be hurt by the budget, as I am a single parent who has to subsist on state disability. I also know there aren’t any lobbyists who will fight for people like me.

I only hope your editorial will sway lawmakers to not balance the budget on my back; I cannot support the entire state. I can’t afford the two kids who still live with me.

Sue Gosland

Diamond Bar

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May I ask what credibility the bankrupt Times might have to pontificate on the right financial moves for our state? Please refer my question to Sam Zell for comment.

Jonathan Greenspan

Westlake Village

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In the short term, does The Times really think that firing tens of thousands of teachers and other state workers, many with homes that could be forced into foreclosure, will help put the state on the road to economic recovery?

If the Legislature follows your advice, the impact on the state’s jobless rate, its housing crisis and its quality of life (not to mention next year’s tax revenues) will be catastrophic.

The budget cannot be balanced by cuts alone. Your advocacy of a slash-and-burn approach to the education budget is highly irresponsible and anything but humane.

John Lloyd

Sierra Madre

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There are some simple truths at work here: We waste too much money and resources. We pay huge amounts of overtime to police and firefighters, sending paramedics or firetrucks out in tandem with commercial ambulances.

Instead of trimming the special-interest pork and stratospheric salaries of many public employees, which could be done with taxes, those who govern seem to have a huge disconnect from the realities faced by taxpayers.

As for the statement: “This is no time to demonize the working men and women who have come to this country illegally but who do, after all, pay taxes,” aside from being in the country illegally, there are many instances of identity theft, crime and a lowering of wages by people who seemingly do not feel the need to obey our laws or respect our country and culture.

Tom Robinson

Lakewood