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6A – Daily News – Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Opinion D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Birthday of the Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Marine Corps Editor: For 235 years Marines have succeeded where hardship and adversity have often been the common thread. Today in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, in earthquake- damaged Haiti, in flood rav- aged Pakistan, they continue to protect our Nation just as they did 60 years ago in Korea. Sixty years ago, the United States Marine Corps landed in South Korea and set the stage for one of the most savage campaigns in Marine Corps history. At the Chosin Reser- voir the First Marine Division was surrounded by five Chi- nese communist divisions. They fought their way out of this trap bringing out their dead and wounded, and their equipment. These Chinese divisions were decimated and never again appeared as orga- nized units. As we pause to celebrate our 235th Birthday, we pay special tribute to the Marines of the Korean War and recog- nize their contributions to our enduring legacy. To the Marines deployed overseas and to those training and preparing for deployment, and to the Marines who no longer wear the uniform — we honor your selfless service to our Nation. I want to extend my sincere thanks for all you have done and you continue to do. Happy 235th Birthday Marines. Sem- per Fidelis. Buddy Male, Red Bluff Beck incapable of making a point Editor: Although it was intended to be used as a helpful hand- book, according to the author, before voters visited their local polling place, I'm still reluctant to make a belated investment in Glenn Beck's latest political publication titled Broke in fear the soci- ety savior's written scoops won't be much different than the daily blather he delivers in front of the camera. After taking in the Fox News televangelist's cable sermons from time to time, I'm fairly certain that Beck is incapable of making a point, then moving on to his next point, and so on and so forth, without leaving most viewers somewhat frustrated by the rambling and almost tortuous rant that kept him busy while he was making his first point. If I was obligated to choose one over the other, I would just as soon negotiate a flea market purchase of the gar- den-variety bestsellers authored by Beck's faithful lickspittle, Bill O'Reilly, and read about how the egotistical loudmouth plays such an important role in everyone's life, which I expect to find in each and every chapter. Leaving aside their lofty viewer ratings, it doesn't take a genius to figure out why both Beck and O'Reilly would come out with brand new books on a regular basis. Rodina Turner, Los Molinos RBUHS Varsity Football Editor: To the RBHS Var- sity Football Head Coach John Miller and his exceptional staff, congratula- tions. Your Turn Although our season results were not what any of us wanted I appreciate your stepping up and working as leaders for our players, putting in countless hours building the team, and giving up time with your families in pursuit of teaching young men to try their hardest to succeed in their pursuits. The final game was emo- tional for me. My youngest son played his final high school game. He had been out with a football injury for quite a bit of the season. In the final 3:21 minutes of the game we were down by 1 point. There had been talk about some of the players not want- ing to go on to playoffs or throwing the game. If this was ever a thought in any of these players minds, shame on you. Why play only 10 games when you could have played 11 or 12? Why not finish what you started? I know the coaches had to combat this mindset through- out the last week of practice. My frustration mounted by seeing our cheerleaders on the sidelines oblivious to what was going on taking time out for pictures. Ladies, there is a game being played. We need to encourage and support our team. Get the players and coaches pumped up. Get the loyal fol- lowers of the team excited. A rouge comment by one young cheer- leader exclaiming that she did not want to go to playoffs anyway sent some of us in to a frenzy. Aren't we to trying our best, giving it our all, tak- ing this road as far as it will go? Parents, grandparents, stu- dents and teachers weekly show encouragement and sup- port following the players and cheerleaders to each and every game. Give up? Throw the game? Quit? I don't want to... Why be on the squad then? I know there are many, many team achievements that came out of this season. I know there are some great individual achievements that came from this season that will become important life lessons. To my son who roared back in his last two games I am very proud. Thank you for not letting your team down and not quit- ting. To the John Miller and his staff, ditto. William Hill, Red Bluff Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. My parents rein in government spending Commentary President Barack Obama sur- prised everyone when he appointed two of the country's finest money-management experts to rein in runaway gov- ernment spending: my mother and father. "Good God!" said my father. "This year's budget is $3.5 tril- lion! I remember 2002, when President Bush was the first president to propose a $2 trillion budget. In 2008, he was the first to propose a $3 trillion budget. In only eight years, our spending has soared by nearly 60 per- cent!" "It's true, dear," said my mother. "Bush was no fiscal conservative. The debt grew from $6 trillion to $11 trillion under his watch. Obama's plan was to double it from $11 tril- lion to $20 trillion in the next nine years! He's already increased the national debt by nearly $3 trillion!" "It's no wonder why," said Father. "Right now we're spend- ing almost 50 percent more than we're bringing in! We're on track for a $1.7 trillion deficit!" "That is beyond immoral," said Mother. "It is insane. Let's show these spendthrifts how to get by on less, as we had to do so many years." "Of the $3.5 trillion budget," said Father, "some $2 trillion is for nondiscretionary items, such as Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid and the more than $160 billion we spend servicing our national debt. Cut- ting entitlements is something politicians aren't likely to allow us to do, but it is something that has to be done." "I'm with the Cato Institute people," said Mother. "We have to raise the retirement age for Social Security and 'introduce progressive price indexing to reduce the growth rate of future benefits.'" "Let's move on to discre- tionary spending," said Father. "It accounts for nearly $1.4 tril- lion of our bloated budget. The first thing we should do is reduce it to 2008 levels. But I don't see why we can't also impose a 5 percent to 10 percent across-the-board reduction beyond that." "Neither do I," said Mother. "I remember the year we slashed our daily spending by 30 percent so we could pay for a new roof and furnace! We got by just fine." "What is this nonsense with corporate welfare?" said Father. "We're giving billions to private organizations to grow or not grow crops, produce ethanol or support some other technology that is favorable to some politicians. Cutting farm subsidies alone will save us $13 bil- lion a year, says a panel of former sena- tors in Esquire maga- zine!" "That same panel found $18 billion in annual savings by eliminating ear- marks!" said Mother. "There is plenty of low-hang- ing fruit that can drive spending cuts," said Father. "Every time a recession occurs, large private organizations find lots of ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs." "You're correct as always, dear," said Mother. "The Her- itage Foundation offers nearly $340 billion in realistic annual savings by consolidating dupli- cate programs, handing off more programs to the states and implementing proven private- sector practices to rein in mas- sive waste and fraud common to government programs." "I like some other cuts outlined by the Cato people," said Father. "Do you know we spend nearly $20 billion a year on for- eign development aid alone?" Tom Purcell "The table has been set," said Mother. "What needs to be done is not so complicated at all. Rather than eat out every day, it's time the government bags its own lunch. That is what voters have Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www.TomPurcell.com or e-mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com. voiced. It's long been time to roll up our sleeves and get our house in order." ———