Inspiring Hope

As a Whittier-area Democratic activist, I have served the past six years as executive officer for the California Democratic Party representing the highest concentration of Latino voters in the state. Currently, I still serve as an executive board member for the party.

I was able to witness firsthand an intimate view of elected officials and candidates, seeing the reasons why they run for office. I have always supported candidates who truly believe in making a difference in our country and our community. Individuals who inspire hope and fight for equality of all members of our society.

Recently, I attended the debate between the final two Democratic presidential candidates. I was amazed at the activism of so many people on the streets before the debate. It was a sense of renewed hope for this country that I have not seen.

Some senior activists say this is a similar feeling John F. Kennedy inspired in the American people 45 years ago.

During the debate, I watched both candidates and knew why there was so much excitement in the air. Senator Barack Obama has inspired a hope for many Americans that we can do better. It is time for a change; it is time to make history. He is a strong leader much needed in this time of fear, partisan decisiveness and uncertainty.

That is why I am supporting Obama for president, and I urge Democrats to vote for him. He is the candidate who will inspire hope and bring about much-needed change in this great country of ours.

Louis R. Reyes

Whittier

Iraq no reason

In response to letter writer Dale Hogue’s “Dems too weak”:

He states: “Thank God we didn’t have politicians like Obama, Edwards and Hillary as commander in chief in charge of the United States armed forces during World War II.”

I would think that someone would at least give a reason before they trash these Democratic presidential candidates.

Now if your reason is their position on the Iraq war, you’d have to be a fool to think that we accomplished anything in Iraq.

Many Americans who supported the war with Iraq did so because they were led to believe that the United States was retaliating for the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Yet none of the hijackers of the airplanes on Sept. 11 were from Iraq (or Afghanistan). They were mainly from Saudi Arabia, our supposed Muslim ally in the Middle East. No connection has ever been proved between Iraq and al-Qaida or Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.

Now that most Americans are starting to learn the truth about Iraq, the president starts changing his tune about the war. Now it’s about the people. He talks about how we are to there to liberate an oppressed people of Iraq who have been suffering for a long time.

Well what about all the oppressed and suffering people in Sudan, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Uganda and Rwanda? Why haven’t we helped the millions that have been killed in these countries? I’ll tell you why – they don’t have significant oil reserves!

The cost of the Iraq war could surpass $1 trillion. The tab grows by at least $200 million each and every day. Almost 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed and more than 60,000 wounded. 700,000 Iraqis killed and 4 million refugees.

Now, more than six years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the person responsible, Osama bin Laden, is at large, laughing at us.

Let’s not forget that it was good reason we engaged in World War II and it was a Democratic president who lead us through it.

Sergio Valenzuela

Santa Fe Springs

Vote in new faces

Re the news story “incumbents are top fundraisers”:

After reading the Feb. 5 article on our local fundraising politicians, it brought to mind something my late uncle, a very wise man, said:

“Never vote for an incumbent; vote someone new into office and help spread the wealth.”

Of course there’s no conflict of interest. But then I still believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Peter Pan and Neverland. Oh, and let’s not forget the Easter Bunny.

For these people to put themselves in a position where conflict of interest questions are raised makes me think we should be electing some fresh faces to City Hall. Fresh faces with maybe a little more sense.

I can hardly wait for the new $35million police station project. That should turn into a real grab bag.

Robert Deubler

Whittier

Rebating our money

Here we go again – Congress doing anything to make good. I mean there is nothing like an election year to bring out the true colors of our Congress. These idiots are tripping over each other to see who can give us the biggest break.

Then we have Rep. Nancy Pelosi who wants to give money back to those who haven’t paid taxes to the amount of $300. Wow!

Sure, let’s give the people who are taxed nothing $1,000 for their enjoyment, while some in my family who make in the six figures are taxed at 42percent, so these others can share the wealth of what others have done. It makes no sense.

What these Congress snakes are actually doing to us is giving us our money back that they were not entitled to in the first place. The sad part is the majority of the general public will fall for this and praise Congress for doing a great job to those who stole our money in the first place. I guarantee they will attempt to tax us on that next year.

Tim Schrock

San Dimas

Westside needs subway

Your editorial (Feb. 2) “Missing the transit mark” misses the mark! The Los Angeles Metro (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) already approved funding for Phase I and Phase II of the Gold Line’s extension through East Los Angeles, due to open in East Los Angeles for service in 2009.

You ignore the fact that the Westside was put on the back burner for any transit relief until after this Gold Line extension was underway.

The MTA is commencing Phase I of the light rail with service to open in 2010 to Culver City. MTA intends to extend the light rail to Santa Monica by 2013.

In the meantime, traffic on Wilshire Boulevard has come to a standstill. Motorists take hours to complete what used to take minutes along the city of Los Angeles’ most congested corridor.

I have lived on the Westside since 1949. So I know firsthand how traffic along Wilshire Boulevard has necessitated the Purple Line subway extension consideration by the MTA. Subway construction will cost $300 million per mile. We must get started now. It never will be cheaper than it is today.

Frank Lyle Bettger

Los Angeles

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