Race to the Top and California; City Atty. Trutanich and the supergraphics; pushing through healthcare reform.

Young man goes East

Re “Thousands protest state cuts to public schooling,” March 5

Last year I was a senior at Palisades High School and in the top 5% of my class. I was accepted to all four UC schools to which I applied. I was also accepted to the University of Chicago.

One of the many reasons that I chose to go to Chicago was that for a middle-class student like me, it was less expensive -- based on the financial aid packages I was offered -- to attend a private school out of state than to go to one of California’s top public universities.

This is insanity. When I graduate from college, I do not anticipate returning to California. I’ll take the blatant corruption of Illinois government over the gross incompetence of the fools in the California Legislature any day of the week.

Dexter N. O’Connell
Chicago

‘Race’ money

Re “State out of running for school funds,” March 5

AIG gets about $100 billion in bailout money with few strings attached, while schools across the nation have to compete for the scraps of $4.35 billion by creating even more hurdles for districts, students and teachers to navigate?

The lucky “winners” get the opportunity to “Race to the Top.”

When will those at the top realize that the education of our kids isn’t a race? It’s a lifetime journey -- one that is only successful when educators and schools are given the respect and support they rightly deserve.

Joanna Ford-Melka
West Covina

Brouhaha over big billboards

Re “City steps up action on signs,” March 3

I am all for following the letter of the law and facing consequences for infractions, but I think City Atty. Carmen Trutanich is going about this issue the wrong way.

With California in the worst budget crisis in my lifetime, I can’t help but cringe at this gratuitous use of our rapidly dwindling resources. People are losing their homes and jobs. Violent criminals roam the streets. Is it really a priority to jail and prosecute a guy for putting up a big sign?

I have another approach. Hit him where it truly hurts: the wallet. How about $50,000 for the first infraction and doubling it for every subsequent violation? Problem solved.

Stephanie E. O’Neill
Lawndale

Recently, The Times had an article about the city issuing warrants for supergraphics on buildings. Directly below that was an article about the Sunset Vine Tower -- and a photo of the tower with an enormous supergraphic along several stories of the building

Go get ‘em, City Atty. Trutanich!

Marta Allen
Manhattan Beach

Re “Tough-guy Trutanich,” Editorial, March 4

The highest calling for an editorial is to influence; to use criticism as a means (not as an end) to achieve a desired result.

You achieved that goal by giving Trutanich two cheers and not three.

You have hopefully motivated him to be more responsible and sensitive to due process rights by commending his conduct. Nice job.

Louis A. Lipofsky
Beverly Hills

Re “Bullies in high places,” Opinion, March 3

Tim Rutten accuses me of misusing the “bully pulpit” in filing criminal charges against a building owner who, at night, shrink-wrapped an unpermitted eight-story supergraphic advertisement weighing thousands of pounds over the windows of a historic building in Hollywood.

The charges, evidence and bail request were reviewed by a conscientious judicial officer, who agreed that the conduct posed a serious risk to public safety.

Over 100 years ago, robber barons criticized the use of the “bully pulpit” to enforce antitrust, environmental, conservation and other public health and safety laws. In the 1980s, I and other prosecutors were accused of being too aggressive against white-collar businessmen who dumped toxic waste or maintained deadly workplace conditions. Today, such violators can no longer despoil our environment or harm employees with impunity. I am proud to have been in the forefront of that successful enforcement effort.

For too long, this city has suffered the lawlessness of unpermitted billboards. I took an oath to protect the public health and safety of our citizens, and I will continue to do so through the law and due process.

Carmen A. Trutanich
Los Angeles
The writer is the city attorney of Los Angeles.

Healthcare -- now or never?

Re “The endgame,” Editorial, March 4

The Times’ cynicism is exceeded only by that of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Your simplistic conclusion is that Republicans are disingenuous, the public is uninformed and President Obama knows best -- therefore, reconciliation is justified.

Medicare has an unfunded liability of $38 trillion over the next 75 years. Medicaid is decimating state budgets. The latest Obamacare bill will cost $2.3 trillion over 10 years.

Our ballooning federal deficits are increasing faster than ever. What is your financial model -- California, or perhaps Greece? Who is your accounting mastermind -- Bernie Madoff?

Let’s fix the economy, create private-sector jobs and deal with the nation’s unfunded liabilities. Then we can reform our healthcare system at a reasonable cost using free market principles.

John H. Heinrich
Rancho Palos Verdes

After wasting valuable time and sending many of his staunchest supporters, like me, into a state of depression, Obama seems to have found some of his backbone.

We elected him because he advocated programs this country has needed for decades. The last year left some of the main goals -- including healthcare reform -- unfulfilled.

Let’s have a vote and, if the majority (51 senators) agrees with the legislation, let’s pass it. If eventually we fail, those of us who believed and longed for change will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that we tried to act on our beliefs.

If the American voters are opposed to the idea, they have the right and the power to vote the president and his party out of office.

Edgar Nell
Los Angeles

Re “Anthem becomes Obama’s Exhibit A,” March 7

The Times reports that Karen Ignagni, the head of America’s Health Insurance Plans, “can barely contain her anger. She says Democrats have reduced the healthcare debate to sound bites.”

As I set aside my gut reaction in an effort to write a letter that actually can be printed, I respond as follows:

* A heartfelt thanks to Anthem for pushing healthcare reform forward.

* Ignagni has more guts than a rabid pit bull.

* I am entirely ready to have the health insurance industry downsized or eliminated completely. (Join the more than 10 million other good people who are wondering how to change careers and make more with less. It builds character.)

To those who make death threats and send hate mail to the executives at Anthem/Wellpoint: Don’t sink to their level. Let the insurance companies set the baseline for moral depravity.

Jonathan Mathosian
Manhattan Beach

A vote for Grant

Re “Bill would put Reagan on the 50,” March 3

It surely would be wrong to displace Ulysses S. Grant from the $50 bill -- or any honoree from any bill.

Those who would honor Ronald Reagan should start a movement for another bit of currency.

I suggest the $3 bill.

Rex D. Walker
Los Angeles