Court Funding Fight a Travesty

Re “O.C. Judges to Issue Order for Court Funds,” April 18:

If the local courts and county government cannot amicably settle a funding dispute, who can expect mere mortal individuals to resolve their personal conflicts through compromise and mediation?

A fine example indeed!

And the taxpayers will get the bill for both sides of this childish dispute that now appears headed for the California Supreme Court.

ROCK KENDALL

Laguna Hills

* In another ego-filled power play by the Orange County government, the Orange County courts have been told they won’t get any more money from the county.

So now county taxpayers are going to have to shell out millions in legal expenses in this latest absurdity foisted on them by county government as the courts are forced to sue to stay open.

Hopefully, this travesty will raise the ire of activists as much as the bankruptcy did.

It is often said that citizens get the government they deserve. The continuing problems with Orange County government seem to prove that at least in the case of Orange County this isn’t true: We have a government that no one deserves and which no one should have to endure.

H. MILLARD

Costa Mesa

* About this time of year since 1995 The Times has run a series of articles relating to Orange County judges threatening to shut down the courts if the funding is not increased. A much better solution to increased funding would be to reduce lawsuit abuse.

A recent revealing survey was that 68% of business people said that they’d rather experience a tax audit or an OSHA inspection than a liability suit.

Nobody wants to take away anyone’s right to sue, and businesses should pay their portion of fault. What businesses want is a legal system that is more equitable. Businesses want laws that protect both consumers and businesses from unfair and arbitrary lawsuits.

Orange County judges should prune those cases that do not belong in our courts and live within the budget like other departments do.

RICHARD T. SHUIRMAN

Orange