Letters to the Editor May 27, 2004 It was 25 years ago that I first arrived in Ester. Thus began my adventures of living in a wonderful community that has been antidote to growing up in suburban America. It is no small thing to walk down the street and know and be known by a healthy percentage of those folks I encounter. My relative familiarity with my neghbors has never emboldened me to make generalizations about their attitudes or opinions. Nor does it give me any sense of superiority vis a vis the majority of humans that don't dwell in Ester. On a larger scale, I recognize the psychological need to simplify complex systems. One can only take in so much without becoming overloaded. For example, there exists the possibility that some Esteroids participate in research that supports the military-industrial complex in ways that are no less real because they are shrouded in official policies that claim otherwise. I respect everyone's right to work and live as they choose and yet I am constantly tempted to engage in moral superiority which leads to a sense of separation. Carla Helfferich's essay in the May issue of The Republic included the statement that, "...Dave was not like the rest of us...". Perhaps the same could be said of anyone for an infinite number of reasons. I love The Ester Republic as well as the republic of Ester and I would like to encourage all the fine writers who contribute to the rag to resist the impulse to speak for anyone other than themselves. I believe it was Chief Joseph Seattle who said something to the effect that we are all five fingered critters. Uniquely yours, Mark Schubauer
May 30, 2004 I am writing because I'm very concerned about the direction of our great nation; I'm a hard-working, fairly conservative, patriotic man. I pay my taxes, invest in our nation, and try to keep the family and house afloat. In the short span of three years, Mr. Bush's record is a dismal failure beyond California: our jobs are disappearing, the Federal Treasury is being looted and bankrupted, we have lost our goodwill standing in the world, the condition of the military, economy, education, social security, veteran's benefits, Constitutional rights, Medicare, and energy resources are suffering, our air and water are dirtier, our forests are thinner, our states are reeling from unfunded mandates, and our young are dying in unnecessary wars for oil. Our foreign policy is a mess; Iraq is a costly mess and deteriorating—fast—although we are told all things are well and improving. Our jobs are being outsourced and downsized, fuel prices are at their highest levels, and rising interest rates to pay our record-setting treasury deficits will negatively impact our improving economy. The Euro is outpacing the dollar in value. Most Americans are scraping by to keep their houses, boats, income, and jobs during our 'jobless' recovery. This administration has chosen corporations and profits over people, and politics before policies. I don't believe Mr. Bush and his friends give a hoot about you, I, the common man, domestic or world opinion. They seem to empower themselves while admitting no wrongdoing or miscalculations in any arena. The wealthy—especially the very rich—are stuffing their pockets with his largesse. Our leaders are secretly closing the doors and drawing the shades of government in the most secretive administration since Watergate. They 'spin' the public and media; they silence critics who dare speak out. There is not a single issue affecting Americans now that is better off than when Mr. Bush was appointed office. I am shocked by what I'm seeing from here. Citizens and readers, I humbly ask of you: please vote—our democracy needs you now more than ever. Thank you. Steve D'Agati
| ||
 | | |
