Letters to the editor, Oct. 22, 2009

Prohibition is the problem

In "In defense of banning marijuana dispensaries" (Oct. 16), County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt reveals a profound confusion about how a prohibition market works. Analysis of marijuana’s social impact instantly exposes the reality that all of the trouble with cannabis comes from the fact that it is illegal.

None of the crimes Mr. Mitzelfelt mentions comes from marijuana intoxication. Every incident springs from the fact that prohibition makes an easy to grow a plant worth more than its weight in gold. Ask any cop and they will tell you that they never have calls involving violence where marijuana use is involved. All of the brawls, domestic abuse and car wrecks come from alcohol.

If Supervisor Mitzelfelt really wants to end the troubles with cannabis, he should work to repeal the marijuana prohibition laws that cause all of the trouble.

Ralph Givens, Daly City

Tax and spend doesn't work

I love California. I have lived here 44 years and even living 35 years in the Mojave Desert has not tempered my love of California. Now, for the first time, my husband and I have discussed moving next door to Nevada.

For years, California has been considered a bellwether state. It was a bright, shiny concept, in that we were always first and best with new trends and ideas. However, in the last three years, the concept began to have an ominous ring to it.

The laws and fiscal policies from Sacramento have been business, industry, and agriculture killers. Repeatedly, the legislators raise taxes and fees (taxes), or they try to do so, as voters do their best to keep some of their paycheck. Put simply, there are too many “entitled” and not enough taxpayers. We have passed the tipping point and people are leaving California because of it. It is a downward spiral; I can see no end to, in the future.

California is bankrupt.

Now the federal government is passing the same kinds of laws, cap and trade, tax and spend, health care, welfare, and federal deficit beyond comprehension. How can this possibly lead to a different outcome than experienced here in California?

Nancy Dittman, Barstow