Maxine Waters’ ethics inquiry; budgeting for tough times; saving Social Security

Different lives

Re “Four walls and a bed,” series, and “‘Shop and tell’ videos bring girls clout, swag,” Aug. 1

The juxtaposition of these two stories could not have been more striking.

In Sunday’s Times, we read a cover story about homeless, hopeless people on Skid Row trying merely to survive — and a selfless, dedicated angel devoted to helping them.

We also read a story about teen “haulers,” who use Mommy and Daddy’s credit cards to bring home mall merchandise to tout or bash for online subscribers.

One subject survives by whatever personal grit is left in a hard, unforgiving life. He is grateful for a cup of clean water and a meal not pulled from a dumpster.

The other has no idea how lucky she has it. Would buying, or being given, a wardrobe trinket that wasn’t sufficiently “cute” send her into the throes of depression?

There but for the grace of God …

D. J. Fone

El Cajon

The case against Maxine Waters

Re “Ethics report sets stage for Waters’ trial,” Aug. 3

Just because the husband of Rep. Maxine Waters (D- Los Angeles) owns anywhere from half a million to a million dollars in stock in a bank that was given taxpayer money to the tune of $12 million in bailout funds, there is going to be an ethics investigation?

Surely you jest. This sounds like a bunch of trumped-up charges to me. Next you will tell me Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is involved. Or that Waters has been the subject of prior investigations into whether her family enriched themselves by more than $1 million thanks to her influence-peddling with “companies, candidates and causes” friendly to her.

I am sure this is just another right-wing conspiracy. Yeah, that’s it.

Let’s hope the voters are paying close attention to the investigation and act accordingly in the fall.

Kevin Carlin

Huntington Beach

Despite prejudgment by certain media demagogues and the haters who follow them, Waters is entitled to the same constitutional presumption of innocence every American enjoys, including such haters and demagogues.

Robert Ouriel

Brentwood

I’m all in favor of an extensive investigation of Waters’ potential misdeeds in Congress. But as we anticipate the media frenzy about this in the months leading up to the elections, I hope The Times will keep us informed of the ethics and FBI investigations of our local representatives, Jerry Lewis (R- Redlands) and Gary Miller (R- Diamond Bar).

These cases seem to have fallen off the pages, but they deserve as much light and heat and election influence as the fresher ones.

Steven Sittig

San Dimas

Tom Bradley and the budget crisis

Re “Gov. orders unpaid leaves again,” July 29

California’s economic problems require solutions that are not necessarily new. As he works with the Legislature to produce a budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger might take a look at former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley’s record for inspiration.

Bradley used every appropriate method to stretch and meld federal, state and local dollars to help Los Angeles.

In the late 1970s, the passage of Proposition 13 caused as severe a budget shortfall problem for local governments as the state is facing currently. Bradley mandated a 15% budget reduction in city departments, requiring additional cutbacks for programs that could not prove their efficiency or effectiveness. He also aggressively captured federal funds to support programs for seniors, youth and the disabled.

Given the economic turmoil in which the state finds itself, we think that every creative idea, past and present, will have to be applied to our current problems.

Rep. Diane E. Watson (D-Los Angeles)

Maurice Weiner

Los Angeles

Watson represents California’s 33rd Congressional District in the House. Weiner is chair of the Tom Bradley Legacy Foundation.

Social Security for the young

Re “I’m 27 — save my Social Security,” Opinion, Aug. 2

Sam Gill is right to worry about his Social Security benefits. He is wrong to rely on Social Security as a retirement plan.

I am retired, and Social Security provides only about a third of my retirement income. If I relied solely on Social Security, I would probably be below the government’s poverty line.

Gill should be investing for his retirement security through IRAs and 401(k) plans rather than relying on Social Security, which is not now and never has been a retirement plan. The program is hardly anything other than a giant Ponzi scheme, in which current workers pay for those who are retired, and the number of workers supporting those retirees is steadily decreasing.

James Baur

Green Valley Lake, Calif.

I couldn’t agree more with Gill.

I am reminded of my own early years in the workforce, in the early 1960s. Then, as now, we youngsters feared the imminent bankruptcy of the Social Security system and believed that all the money we were being forced to pay into it would be gone before we retired. Yet here I am today, banking the monthly checks that provide a significant addition to our financial security in retirement.

If we listen to those who wish to “privatize” or otherwise gut Social Security, their dire predictions will be self-fulfilling.

On the other hand, all it takes to ensure it will be there for Gill is for all of us, and especially those in his age group, to vote for congressmen and senators who support it.

Edward F. Sowell

Placentia

Why complicate it? The easiest and fairest way to save Social Security is to remove the cap on withholding so that high salaries pay into the fund at the same percentage as low salaries.

Second, don’t allow Congress to use the Social Security fund for other purposes.

Sharon Dirlam

Santa Barbara

Government gets it right

Re “A place to call home,” Aug. 2

After the daily barrage of negative and petty news, this story — reporting that California colleges will give dorm priority to students who come from foster care — was an uplifting breath of fresh air.

I only hope that those closed-minded people who can only find fault with the government — and there is fault to be found — will get a chance to read it.

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner’s (D- Berkeley) university housing law is a much-needed statement that we do care about those whose lives have not been easy but who hopefully will now at least have a chance to try to attain the American dream.

This is what government is all about.

Edgar Nell

Los Angeles

Good for the geese, and for us

Re “Geese pay price for their success,” Aug. 2

At this time of division and downturn, it’s important to view the Canada geese — now targeted by wildlife officials as menaces — for what they represent: They have learned to cooperatively circumnavigate the hemisphere.

When flying, each takes a turn leading the flock, taking a load off those flying behind them. As they fly together, those at the rear honk encouragingly to the leader. When that leader grows weary, he slips back into the pack to benefit from the draft created by the next leader.

This is a perfect opportunity to learn from nature.

Dutch Merrick

Playa Del Rey