Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20979
6A – Daily News – Tuesday, December 7, 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 Double dipping Editor: 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 A recent contributor suggest- ed that many retired public employees are "double dip- ping." That is, collecting full pensions from their government service and Social Security. While quite common decades ago, this practice was effective- ly eliminated in 1983. Public Law 98-21 changed the formula by which Social Security bene- fits are calculated for public employees who never paid taxes on their earnings yet, because of some other employment, still qualify for Social Security. These folks typically see Social Security benefits reduced by 50 percent. It's called the Windfall Elimination Provision. David Janott, Red Bluff Pelosi double speak Editor: Once again, Nancy Pelosi has spun reality to suit her political agenda. She now says that to contin- ue the $700 billion Bush tax cuts will increase the national debt and the Republicans offer no means of paying for it, while they demand that the continua- tion of unemployment benefits of $18 billion be paid for. Not receiving additional income does not increase debt, and therefore does not need to be reimbursed. Spending addi- tional money when there is none to spend increases debt, and would need to be reim- bursed to be financially neutral. So Nancy Pelosi, continuing the Bush tax cuts doesn’t require reimbursement whereas spending more on unemploy- ment does. This is not to say whether unemployment bene- fits should or should not be continued as that is another debate. In the past, when taxpayers gave more, the politicians did- n’t use it to retire debt; rather they started new social pro- grams, paid for earmarks, etc. Since you sympathize with those out of work and income, maybe the government could share their pain by making do with what it has rather than asking for another government raise. Once again your spin mis- leads the ignorant public for your personal agenda. Howev- er, there are some who see right through you, and some are Tea Party members, no longer Astroturf as you once called them. Paul Moon, Red Bluff Free Speech Editor: This is a response to my good friend — he truly is a friend — Don Bird's letter: Don Bird's Free Speech Isn't our guaranteed right of free speech great? Every- one is allowed to comment on anything they want. I truly hope that this will never be taken away and always be taken seriously. You are most definitely entitled to your opinions as am I. We can agree to dis- agree. But by the way, since we're on the subject of the sheriff, do you really think you're going to have any bet- ter luck with our newly elect- ed sheriff? From what I know of him he is an ethical and person- able person and law enforce- ment officer. I've never heard a bad thing about him. May I suggest that before you go after any elected offi- cials, including the new sher- iff, that you seek assistance from an attorney for clarifica- tion or definition on the meaning of the penal code? Most attorneys are ethical and they are here for this very purpose. I didn't vote for our new sheriff but I will support him to the best of my abili- ties as a citizen of Tehama County. He was elected and that's that. I didn't vote for our president either but as you well know, we military veterans took an oath to support and defend the nation, including the pres- ident, no matter who he or she is. I wish you the best in your pursuits but I also wish you peace within yourself. You are a friend. Thanks. John Minton, Red Bluff O’Reilly and Beck Editor: Thank you for publishing a few personal observations having to do with the plastic relationship between Fox News media giants Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck. After recognizing that Beck's more animated approach towards achieving cable popularity was going to be an overwhelming success and might pose a threat to his own loud and disputatious design, O'Reilly hastily established himself as Beck's close friend. Shortly there- after, the ambitious charlatan talked his new found buddy into being a regular attraction to his nightly broadcast as well as persuading the sob- bing fruitcake into co-starring during the nationwide Bold Fresh tours which were smug- ly named to draw attention the tour organizer's published memoirs entitled "A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity," a grandiose title as one might expect. Your Turn In spite of Beck making himself rich and famous by spreading economic fear and innuendos with the help of artificial tears and cluttered chalkboards, O'Reilly still comes across as being the head organ grinder and Beck just a playful monkey on his chain. I realize that changing channels might be an easy solution for soothing my scorn, however, I tune in to both their programs for the same reason most anyone else would look forward to seeing a two-headed donkey when the circus come to town. Rodina Turner, Los Molinos Prop 19 Editor: Count me out. I was a supporter of Propo- sition 19 but it failed to pass. Now cities all over California are trying to figure out how much to tax marijuana on sales. Hey, people! You can’t have it both ways. If you had legalized marijuana, you could have taxed it. But, if you tax it now, you are an accessory after the fact in a criminal activity and are also guilty of aiding and abetting in a felony. So when they start handing out arrest warrants, leave me out. Oh, and by the way, if you pay tax when you buy your weed, you automatically become a coconspirator. Fred Boest, 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. Top 10 Christmas gifts for your Wall Street broker buddies Commentary It’s the most… wonderful time… of the year. And the most frantic and anxious and mind- numbing and expensive. The rewarding part is my ongoing sea- sonal side job as a lumpy elfin hol- iday gift consultant, where it is an honor and a privilege to be able to pass along some hot tips for this year’s Christmas shopping lists. None of which involve surplus ura- nium tailings from sales to the Ira- nians. There’s still more than a few of us struggling to climb out of finan- cial holes so deep we’re being tick- led by the tendrils of redwood roots, but we’re not that difficult to shop for. Dollar coins. Discount clothing. Used food. Lint-covered gum and pennies. Roadkill wrapped in the Sunday Funnies. Re-gifting welcomed with open arms. It’s the other end of the spectrum that concerns me. The least-needy of us. Wall Street is shoveling out record bonuses. Again. What to get the person who can buy anything? Perhaps the gifts you’ve lined up for your financial planners won’t be considered up to snuff. Well, I’m here to convince you to let those worries go. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. No, seriously. To ease your stress, we here at Durstco have come up with a catalog of prospec- tive Christmas Gifts that any Wall Street Tycoon would be honored to find under their holiday shrubbery. And who knows, maybe in appreci- ation, he or she will slide you insid- er status on the newest IPOs. To be honest though, probably not, but what the hell, here we go with the TOP TEN CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOUR WALL STREET BROKER BUDDIES. 10. A peacock. Provides the double benefit of being both the ultimate symbol of excessive extravagance and extremely diffi- cult to care for. 9. A copy of George W. Bush’s autobiography because, during the holidays, everyone can use a good laugh. 8. A kidney in an ice chest. Purchased from a poor person. Always good to have one lying around just in case. 7. A Lexus. According to TV, that’s what rich people give each other for the holidays. Don’t forget the big red bow. 6. A get-out-of-jail-free card. No, a real Get-Out- of-Jail-Free Card. You must know somebody who knows somebody. 5. A Faberge Egg. Only 42 are known to have survived. Go for it. Check out eBay. Or call Meg Whitman direct. 4. A pair of Bernie 3. A signed first edition of Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” because nothing else says “Master of the Universe” quite like it. 2. A U.S. Senator. Oh sure, they probably already have one socked away, but who’s ever thrown out a Sena- tor because they went bad? Not Congress. 1. A soul. Odds are, Will Durst Raging Moderate Madoff’s underwear. Or just frame any old pair of size 36s and say they’re his. It’s what he would have done. they’ve sold, misplaced or ruined theirs. Just realize in advance they’ll probably sell, misplace or ruin this one as well. Will Durst is a San Francisco-based humor columnist who frequently tells jokes. Out loud. On purpose. In front of people.Who laugh.Ideally.More at willdurst.com. Twitter. Facebook. Blah blah.