The Toyota recall; Gov. Schwarzenegger and unions; GOP lawmakers’ lavish getaway

Drivers’ education

Re “Another massive Toyota recall,” Jan. 22

Yet another Toyota recall.

As confirmed “buy American” advocates, my husband and I have engaged in many an argument trying to convince friends that American cars are as good, if not better than, Japanese or German automobiles.

We own four American-made cars, and there has not been one instance in which we have not arrived as safely or in as much comfort as those arriving in foreign cars. The lemmings to the slaughter who have flocked to foreign cars have not only been duped by the manufacturers, but must share responsibility for the country’s current 10%-plus unemployment rate.

Let’s mourn the at least 19 deaths due to runaway Toyota and Lexus vehicles and the demise of the American auto industry and the strong middle class it once supported.

Judy Pomerantz
Tarzana

Keys vs. keyless

Re “Keyless autos raise safety worries,” Jan. 24

The industry has violated the first law of human engineering -- K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid.)

Rather than depending on the drivers of vehicles with push-button starting and stopping to remember to press the button three times, or to hold it in for three seconds, or to open and close the door, or to whistle “Taps,” the most obvious, universally understood and simplest way to shut down a push-button system would be to press an “Off” button.

This is not rocket science. The concept has been around for many decades. However, it would require another component, which would increase the price of the cars by some cents on the dollar.

But it would be well worth it to consumers.

Hugh T. Hoskins
Downey

The Times informs us that keyless ignition technology “benefits older people who have difficulty removing keys from their pockets or turning a key in a lock.”

Should people who don’t possess the motor skills to perform these simple tasks be allowed to drive powerful, 3,000-pound vehicles at high rates of speed on public roads?

Maybe automakers should be developing ways to make it more difficult, rather than easier, to get into and start our cars.

Chad Silver
Sherman Oaks

Train wreck

Re “NTSB blames engineer for crash,” Jan. 22

The National Transportation Safety Board’s explanation that it dismissed eyewitness accounts of Metrolink’s 2008 Chatsworth crash because of “technical data that indicated the light was red” rings false.

That the investigators would dismiss four eyewitness accounts that the light was in fact green smells like a cover-up.

Trent D. Sanders
La Cañada Flintridge

The governor and the unions

Re “Gov. takes aim at unions in his proposals for 2010,” Jan. 25

If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had been in charge of Enron, AIG or Goldman Sachs, he would have blamed those financial disasters on the receptionist. True to form, now he is blaming state workers for the mess he has caused.

Schwarzenegger should be thanking state employees for keeping the state going under his mis-administration. We have kept antique computer systems running, kept driver’s licenses renewed, cared for the ill, locked up criminals and protected the public, taught students, responded to disasters and more -- despite his best efforts to block us from performing our duties.

State employees keep the state running in other ways too. We pay mortgages or rent, buy groceries, go to movies, dine out and contribute to our retirement.

The only things to be gained by robbing state employees are more failed businesses and empty stores, foreclosures and lawsuits against the state for neglect and deliberate indifference.

Dave Middleton
Rancho Mirage

The governor is right to take on the state workers’ pensions, for several reasons:

The average pension is about $25,000 per year, the average age at retirement is around 60 and life expectancy is now around 77. That totals more than $400,000 in pension for each “average” state employee.

The taxpayers make up for CalPERS investment losses -- usually when we can least afford it. As life expectancy continues to increase, taxpayers may have to contribute more and more, finally reaching the point at which the system is unsustainable.

The average state worker contributes only 5% of income to his or her pension. The rest of us pay FICA taxes of 7.5%, and our employers shoulder an equal burden. And we don’t begin to collect full retirement until age 66.

We need to let the governor finally do what we hired him to do.

Ron Lankford
Corona

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer revealed more than he probably intended when he said: “It’s impossible for this Legislature to reform the pension system. I don’t think anybody can do it here -- because of who elected you.”

The unions may have “bought” the legislators by providing the campaign funds that put these politicians in office, but it was the voters -- most of whom are not members of any union -- who elected them.

We can’t expect much to change until those elected to our Assembly and state Senate recognize that they work for us and not for organized labor or any other special interest.

Rob Housman
Irvine

They put the ‘party’ in GOP

Re “Firms help fund legislator retreat,” Jan. 24

This story about corporate sponsors of a lavish retreat for Republican state lawmakers was timely, appearing a few days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down restrictions on corporate political spending.

The best way to assure that corporate spending does not excessively influence the political process is to do what The Times did: report the facts so that these cozy relations are exposed to the light of day.

Was this the exercise of free speech, or influence-peddling? Could this have just as easily been a Democratic Party retreat?

Let the public know the facts through diligent reporting, and the public will draw its own conclusions.

Michael E. Mahler
Los Angeles

Here’s the real picture

Re “Not a pretty picture out there,” Column, Jan. 22

As a stock photographer for 30 years, I found James Rainey’s column naive.

The last thing anyone who needs a photo does is seek out a fee-charging photographer. And while many stock photos sell for modest prices, it’s not all a penny-ante business. I’ve had sales from $1 to $20,000. Earnings average out.

More important, stock is a level playing field where names and reputation mean nothing. All that sells is talent.

My business has remained profitable in the Great Recession because when times are tough, even more picture buyers turn to stock. The first expense they cut is assignment photography -- which is why after performing thousands of assignments, I’ve given them up entirely in favor of stock.

Some photographers bellyache about a decline in assignments. Others acknowledge the realities of the picture market and make the most of them. Economy and convenience rule and always will. Deal with it.

Spencer Grant
Laguna Niguel