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Opinion
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
For shame, Republicans are acting as if George W. Bush did not exist.
He had ample opportunity to destroy so many of our institutions, but they insist that Obama not be allowed to keep any of his promises.
We voted to allow his ideals a chance. Congress is acting as if our mandate is moot, and only their august misjudgments are valid. Give his ideas a chance, these compromises dilute and distort his ideals.
The tea party espouses an economic plan that their idol, Ronald Reagan gave up on, as a failed plan. Trickle-down economics are a farce and a con. This Congress has only divided our country even more.
Loyal Republicans are attempting to stay loyal, but the tea party is dividing their own party. In fact, the Congress is becoming the tool of the very wealthy and the corporations.
The Supreme Court, thanks to G.W. Bush, is now a tool of the tea party. His appointees have already allowed the rich and the corporations, to give unlimited funds to candidates; which is a road map to buying elections.
Fundraising is already taking far too much of our elected officials' time and efforts, which are better used to do jobs we elected them to do.
The only way to save our economy is by putting people to work and allowing their tax money to revive our struggling country.
Sure, the ideal of a rugged independent American, depicted by John Wayne, an individual who never needed assistance.
That was yesterday, when 90 percent of Americans lived on subsistence capable, farming communities.
The more we specialize, the more we need to depend on each other, and need government safety nets, such as Social security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment and disability insurance.
Save America, keep Obama, and vote out the tea party and save both the country, and the Republican party they have hijacked.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Ed Calkins
We must make California a right-to-work state.
A "right-to-work" law is a statute that prohibits union security agreements, or agreements between labor unions and employers that govern the extent to which an established union can require employees' membership, payment of union dues, or fees as a condition of employment, either before or after hiring.
Right-to-work laws exist in 23 U.S. states. Such laws are allowed under the 1947 federal Taft-Hartley Act.
A couple of related facts:
1) Between 2000 and 2008 one person per minute left a non right-to-work state and moved to a right-to-work state.
2) California until early 2010 had a manufacturing plant that assembled Toyota Corollas. Corolla manufacturing did not move to China. It moved to a new Toyota manufacturing facility in Mississippi. There are eight Toyota manufacturing plants in the United States (all in right-to-work states) that manufacture Toyota vehicles and engines.
A right-to-work state does not ban unions. Unions can and many times do still exist but they must survive based on their merit to the workers. The workers are not forced to pay union dues nor support a union as a condition of employment.
California needs to attract and keep businesses and jobs to financially survive. And to fund our extensive environmental protection desires. We need to keep workers not just welfare recipients.
It will be a difficult battle as unions fund most of the previously golden states democratic legislators, but we must use the upcoming November election to bring the jobs back to California. Please spread the word.
Ed Calkins lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Ana Santana
The Upper Lake High School Boosters Club would like to thank the people of Lake County who made our fourth annual Lights of Love fundraiser a successful evening.
Although we will have to continue working towards establishing stadium lights for several more years this year’s event has helped us get a third of the way to our goal!
Thank you to our many contributors to our silent auction and poker run. They deserve the respect and financial support of our community: LakeCoNews.com, The Record Bee, Tallman Hotel, Featherbed Railroad, Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino, Konocti Vista Resort and Casino, Park Place, Sons of Italy, Lakeport Grocery Outlet, The Woodpecker, Judy’s Junction Restaurant, Pivniska Trucking, Bob and Leslie Rumsfeld, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Dr. David Browning-Eye Care Optometric, Coca Cola, Bill Binns, Sierra Nevada Ale, Lucerne Pharmacy and Alpine Cafe, Steele Winery, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Hillside Honda, Pet Acres, Sharon Coburn, Seely’s Farm Stand, Nor Cal Moto Sports, Campos Casuals, ULHS Class of 1981 Alumni, Lakeside Family Fun Center, Payton Gudmundson massage therapist, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Napa Auto Parts, Quail Run Fitness Center, Village Auto Detailing, One Stop Party Shop, Lakeview Supermarket and Deli, Raul’s Garage, DBI Distributing, Vintage Antiques, Sentry Market, Reimers family, Clarke’s Collectibles, ULHS Booster’s Club, Joanne Breton, Gretchen McDonald, Brassfield Winery, Rose and Company, The Boathouse, Alvarez Car Wash, Treasure Cove Pizza, The Marina Grill, Joe Fernandez, Hi-Way Grocery, ULTA, Lake County Correctional Officers and Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.
I’d like to further express gratitude and a very special thank you to Ron and Patty Raetz; Angie Sarandi and Corrin Johns; Stacy Sarandi and her son; Katherine Perry; ULHS FFA; Elizabeth Martinez; Kathleen Hankins; Brad and Marylou Floyd; Rich Swaney; Jaliece Simons; Jose Luis Alfaro; and Gilbert and Debbie Clarke for the countless hours of preparation, cooking and cleanup.
Finally, thanks to our community for their commitment to the ULHS Booster’s Club and the students at Upper Lake High School!
Ana Santana is president of the Upper Lake High School Booster Club in Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Dana Thoman
Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation (L.E.E.F.) would like to thank just a few of the many businesses who supported the group in 2011.
Antoinette’s School of Dance
Brassfield Winery
Ciao Thyme Catering
Cinemeade Engineering
DeLeon Engineering
Disney Water Sports
Dr. Keith and Dr. Elise Donald
Dr. Brien Grey
Economy Propane
Focused on Wine
Jazz Factory
Kelseyville Unified Food Services
Lake County Palms
Lake Event Design
Lakeport Disposal
Lakeport Grocery Outlet
Lakeport Rotary Club
LakeWind Skincare
Linda’s Hallmark
LC Diamonds
Mackey Tire
Main Street Bicycles
Mendo Lake Credit Union
Mendo Mill
Moore Family Winery
North Lake Pharmacy
Pieces Boutique
Paul Vartabedian, D.D.S.
Plaza Paints
Quail Run Fitness Center
Seely Farm Stand
Sky Catch Gymnastics
Snow’s Lake Vineyard
Steele Wines
Strong Financial
Tallman Hotel/Blue Wing Saloon
The Bastian Family
The Consignment Shop
The Gabehart Family
T.J.’s Bar and Grill
UCC Rents
Umpqua Bank
Wildhurst Winery
Please join us March 3 for the 15th annual Big Band Dance and Auction. Tickets are available on the Lakeport Terrace School Office or Linda’s Hallmark.
Dana Thoman is a LEEF Board member. She lives in Lakeport, Calif.