The midterm election results; getting away from the common good in America; Cal State fee increases

The votes are in

Re “Brown cruises to win,” Nov. 3

I grew up in Chicago during the heyday of the first Mayor Richard Daley. Say what you will about old-school political machines, they did do one thing — nurture and train people to be capable leaders. Everyone had to wait their turn.

California Democrats and Republicans could learn a thing or two from old King Richard. How did the most populous state in the union end up with the dismal candidates the two major parties offered us: a politically inexperienced corporate wonk and the former Gov. Moonbeam? Why didn’t Democrats and Republicans groom somebody for California’s most important job?

These elections happen every four years. So Democrats and Republicans, get out there now and start looking for somebody.

Randy Rice

Sierra Madre

Today, for the first time as an almost 50-year resident of California, I am sad for the future of this state.

With California having the third-highest unemployment rate in the nation, a dysfunctional Legislature unable to fix major deficits and no plan to improve the state’s infrastructure, we send to office the very Democrats responsible for this mess.

President Obama asked voters to not allow those who drove the car into the ditch to have the keys back, yet that is exactly what California has done. God help us.

Jeff Tome

Newhall

On behalf of all Californians, I would like to thank Meg Whitman for her $141-million California stimulus plan, and I invite her to challenge Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2012.

Don’t forget your wallet, Meg.

Bill Haakana

Burbank

Rather than fading into oblivion, Whitman might consider matching the

$141 million she spent on her campaign with a donation to California schools.

It might even get her name on a plaque somewhere to remind people of her genuine love for the state.

Gloria Mathys

Rancho Palos Verdes

California bucked the trend of much of the nation, but a number of ballot measures that deserved to fail or be passed didn’t.

Because Proposition 19 was defeated, local governments cannot pass laws regulating and taxing marijuana. Thanks to Proposition 22, the state can no longer “borrow” funds from local governments, even though some of those are essentially redevelopment slush funds. Voters decided, via Proposition 24, to let corporations continue to have certain tax breaks. And because of Proposition 26, it will be more difficult to get polluters to pay the costs of the damage they cause.

At least Proposition 25 will bring some sanity to the budget process. But there will be less money

to be allotted.

Bruce Campbell

Los Angeles

Winners and losers

Re “Political balance shifts to the right,” Nov. 3

Memo to Republicans: All this proves is that the electorate has a painfully short memory. After only two years, they’ve given the House back to your party, whose policies most contributed to our problems in the first place.

Two more years and they’ll forget why they voted for you to begin with.

Gary Garshfield

Irvine

Tuesday’s election results were a resounding victory for the GOP, and more important, a resounding win for grass-roots Americans as exemplified by the “tea party” movement.

My fervent hope is that Republicans now in office stick to the primary tenets of conservatism and try to reduce the role and activism of the federal government in our lives.

Bob Franz

Placentia

Mr. President, with all due respect, these are the ones we have been waiting for.

Marvin Irving

Granada Hills

Most of America voted to stop government’s forward movement and create certain gridlock. California voted to clear obstacles out of the way and let government legislate more easily and invest in new energies.

It will be very interesting to see which has the better rate of new jobs and overall economic improvement over the next two years.

Douglas Green

Sherman Oaks

Whether you drive an Escalade or a Prius, and whether you strive to make and keep money or to spend it on the people and the environment, it’s time to shake hands.

The election has ended; it’s time to end the negative comments and to celebrate freedom of thought.

Donna Madden

Redondo Beach

‘Gang of Four’ is not so pure

Re “Model of ‘tea party’ ideals,” Column One, Oct. 30

The so-called Gang of Four that runs Flushing Township, Mich., is a gang of hypocrites.

They claim to be saving the taxpayers money, but they are actually shifting the burden to other taxpayers: “With the building inspector position eliminated, anyone seeking a permit must now get it from the state, which offers the service to the township at no cost,” and, “With law enforcement cuts, there are about 20 hours a week in which the … township has no local police coverage; during those times, the county sheriff or state police handle emergency calls.”

Making others pay your bills is not “fiscal conservatism”; it is theft.

Charles Crawford

San Diego

Two articles in Saturday’s Times indicate how selfish we have become.

Under the guise of “fiscal responsibility,” the Gang of Four canceled an educational event that draws 1,000 kids and cost the township $1,000.

Another article discussed Boston Common, arguably the world’s first urban park. A lack of proper funding has hampered maintenance, and resources are now being sought from corporations.

The stories demonstrate that the common good in our country is suffering, thanks to the narrow-minded selfishness of some and the denigration of government for political gain.

John Boehner, the presumed speaker-elect of the House, said this is not a time for compromise. Sadly, compromise is exactly what is needed, not a selfish ideology.

Scott Plante

Los Angeles

College costs

Re “Cal State, UC weigh fee hikes,” Oct. 30

As a senior at Cal State Northridge, I have experienced tuition increases every semester since my start here in 2009. When is the California State University Board of Trustees going to get a hold on things? It is making college unaffordable.

I am a full-time student; I work two jobs just to put myself through school. Education should be my main focus.

I don’t come from a wealthy family, so the only inheritance I will receive in my lifetime is my education, and to me that is gaining richness.

Stop increasing our fees.

Vanessa Cavaletto

Santa Barbara

Two soldiers

Re “Ex-child soldier is given 40 years,” Nov. 1

There is no doubt that one of Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Speer’s jobs in Afghanistan was to kill the enemy, as defined by his commanders. It is bizarre that Omar Khadr, who was fighting in the militant cell in Afghanistan that killed Speer, is not only on trial but is also accused of war crimes for killing the enemy as defined by his commanders.

I’m sure Speer wouldn’t face the same charges if he had killed Khadr instead of the opposite. Khadr’s trial is disgraceful.

John R. Yates

Los Angeles