Haiti’s cholera epidemic; income inequality in America; the violence in Mexico

Another calamity in Haiti

Re “Haiti once again at disaster’s brink,” Nov. 10

It appears that the world doesn’t understand the adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

After the disastrous earthquake hit, there was an outpouring of contributions from Americans and people all over the world to help the Haitian people rebuild. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush went to Haiti to help lead the efforts.

It appears somewhere along the line, the world just forgot about Haiti. As a result we are witnessing a totally unnecessary cholera epidemic.

Shame on all of us for not giving the people of Haiti a real hand up. Man’s inhumanity to man is so painful to witness.

Charlene A. Richards

Los Angeles

The widening rich-poor gap

Re “Rich man, poor man,” Opinion, Nov. 8

I suspect that if one took a survey of would-be illegal immigrants on the south side of our border, almost 100% would vote for no U.S. border fences. So what?

Everybody wants more money, and why shouldn’t Bill Gates split his fortune with me? Does earning the money instead of having it given to you have anything to do with American tradition?

The “survey” showing support for more equitable income distribution, even if done properly, is an expression of envy.

Nelda Niles

Westlake Village

According to empirical data analyzed by economist Harry Oshima, the more equal the distribution of income, the greater the economic growth.

He has definitively disproved the trickle-down theory that has been so steadfastly promoted by Republican politicians.

Michael Haas

Los Angeles

Although professors Michael I. Norton and Dan Ariely claim the public supports government action to fix the “problem” of economic inequality, they failed to ask their respondents the following question: “Would you favor government redistribution of wealth if the consequences were slower economic growth and fewer jobs?”

This was the question American voters faced last week, and we know they resoundingly answered no.

Douglas B. Levene

Shenzhen, China

I have a great idea: All of the folks that want to redistribute wealth can give their money to the poor and reduce the wealth gap.

I grew up poor, so I know what it’s like to stand in line to get free cheese and peanut butter.

I also know what it’s like to work two jobs and get a college degree and then to continue to work hard to build some wealth so I don’t have to stand in line anymore.

B.J. Fowlkes

Claremont

Dramatic income inequality has got to be an issue that is near the top of our nation’s list of moral problems to address. I trust that our nation’s citizens will exhibit their outrage about this, so that our lawmakers will be held accountable for correcting this disparity.

We can’t let greed, corruption and lax regulation continue to foster a morally bankrupt nation.

Karl Strandberg

Long Beach

Violence and grief in Mexico

Re “Beheaded bodies, warped society,” Nov. 9

In 1983-84, I taught first grade at a school in Durango, Mexico. Before that, I went to four Spanish language schools, living for each month in different parts of the country.

This article captures the horror and extreme sadness I feel each time I read about what is happening in Mexico today. What can be done by an ordinary person like myself to change the trajectory that country is on to stop the violence? Is there an answer, or do I have to continue reading about the situation there while doing absolutely nothing to stop it?

Ellen Dorfman Goldenberg

Seal Beach

Mexican nationals such as artist Pablo Szmulewicz bemoan the loss of moral outrage in Mexico as Mexicans increasingly lose the ability to be shocked by the horrors perpetrated by criminal gangs. While the U.S. has been mostly spared such horrors, we are also losing our ability to be shocked or shamed.

We have thousands dying yearly from lack of health insurance. We have millions of unemployed facing the loss of their homes. We tolerate a society where the ultra-wealthy get wealthier. We inflict carnage in our wars. And we have just returned to power the political party most comfortable with these agonies.

Mexico, unfortunately, is just a distorted image of our own loss of conscience.

Roger Carasso

Los Angeles

Strategies for Social Security

Re “Later, for Social Security,” Opinion, Nov. 9

Andrew Biggs’ retirement strategy represents the flawed right-wing solution to perceived Social Security and general economic problems: a return to the stringent labor practices of past generations.

Rather than moving forward with an enlightened retirement policy that would ensure financial solvency and involve only minor changes to the payroll tax rates that currently fund the Social Security system, Biggs invites us to continue working until we are, in effect, physically unable to carry on.

Andrew Spathis

Los Angeles

We pay Social Security tax only on the first $106,800 of payroll income. People who earn more pay Social Security tax on only a fraction of their income. This is not only unfair; it is ridiculous.

If everyone paid Social Security tax on every payroll dollar earned, there would be more than enough money for current beneficiaries and future generations.

Hope Molyneux

Thousand Oaks

I could not believe my eyes when I read conservative writer Biggs state, “ Medicare should be made the primary payer of health costs for individuals over age 65, which would significantly lower employers’ health insurance costs for older workers.”

Extending Medicare to everyone would also lower insurance costs, with a much larger pool and even lower costs for those under 65. Hopefully other conservatives will see the fiscal advantages of a single-payer health insurance system.

John Glass

Studio City

College fee hikes in California

Re “ UC regents to weigh 8% fee hike,” Nov. 9

The fact that our state universities are raising fees is sad but not unexpected. The real problem lies with our education system as a whole.

Many freshmen are totally unprepared for college, forcing universities to spend much-needed funds to provide remedial classes. When about half of all freshman at state colleges never come back, the real problem becomes clear.

California schools, once touted as the nation’s best, have failed us.

Ronald Moya Sr.

La Verne

Raising tuition will shut out many deserving students, but not to worry: California has found drugs for four more executions.

Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Los Angeles

Homeless in L.A.

Re “Plan seeks to aid homeless,” Nov. 9

One must wonder where these “prominent business leaders” have been all these years. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it might be cheaper to help the homeless rather than to stand

by and let the numbers grow.

If you lived elsewhere and wanted to visit Los Angeles, would you be turned off by the “homeless capital” designation? How many people didn’t come over the years because of that?

Many homeless people are younger and many have usable skills. If they can stabilize, they can go from being on the dole to paying taxes.

Chuck Rutkin

Burbank