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4A Daily News – Monday, August 8, 2011 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 Gratitude, grace and goodness 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 American’s are among the most blessed persons on the planet with abun- dant food, resources, individual rights, and the freedom to express themselves. Most of us were brought up in functional families where we learned good manners, common courtesies, and how to handle one another with grace and kindness. Others, through no fault of their own may strug- gle with domestic vio- lence, disenfranchise- ment, racism, chemical dependencies, mental illness, or any variety of apparent or unseen dis- abilities. To me the true worth of a man is not measured by what he owns or position he attains, but by how much good he does for his fellow man. From this perspective those that have earned great sums of money are wealthy because they possess the ability to dispense hard earned funds to help make our world a better place. While such altruistic aims may cause some to question the fairness or effective- ness of their investments, there is absolutely nothing wrong with selflessly helping others from a place of humility and goodness. It is difficult for me to Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point fathom the thinking of those that can so quickly judge and dispense tough love upon those in our communities that struggle with little while they languish in the lux- uries that their good for- tune can afford. This is not to suggest that those that work hard or use resources wisely shouldn’t enjoy the fruits of their labors and discipline, but to recog- nize that their good for- tune is as much a gift of circum- stances that allow them to prosper and a society that rewards those that have learned how to best manipulate the "system." To the wealthy I offer my great respect and recognition for their good fortunes, and gladly consider myself among them, wanting nothing for myself and my family but to live peaceably in this great land while striving to help others to share in our bounty. I entreat all of us to spend more time opening our hearts, and yes wallets, to share the joy of giving, rather than stoke the prides of privilege. We know that ours is very competitive culture, offering great rewards for the winners, and precious little to those less able to compete. I for one am weary of this life’s battles, not because I want, but because of the basic inhumanity by continu- ally pitting one against another. Why can’t we just choose to see the good in each other and return to a focus of building a nation and community of brother- hood, rather than finding fault, casting blame, and hurting one another? I suggest we can if we return our focus upon all the things that are good and right about America, and compassionately and calmly work together to make things better for all. We have abundant physical, intellectual, and economic resources in our great nation to do great things as we focus our intent and act from our hearts. But if we keep those resources locked up to provide a personal security blanket in times of local, state, and national need by turning a cold shoulder or expect- ing others to help everyone loses. I am so grateful that the Tehama County Supervisors saw the wisdom of keeping the Los Molinos Library Branch open, and that the people rose up to express their widespread support for the vital public service. It makes me proud to be a member of the coun- ty. In contrast I am so disappoint- ed with the Red Bluff City Coun- cil treatment of the homeless shel- ter grant, and expressions of hate- fulness and fear toward those that suffer from some that have so much that it not only breaks my heart but makes me want to dis- tance myself from them. So consider this my parting shot on the topic of homelessness, but for the grace of God go I now living in relative peace and com- fort having struggled without a home or hope of one for a period of my life. While my encounter with homelessness may be seen as a great failure by some or a just result of my choices earlier in life, it came to be one of the greatest gifts ever received. For I learned by first-hand experience that there are no hopeless people, just situa- tions that seem hopeless until kind and helpful people and communi- ties lend aid to make the world a better place. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Demonization, jihad by political opponents Commentary Let me translate my column title for you: The Democrat-media complex is now fully committed to an ideological campaign to destroy the conservative Tea Party move- ment, in a manner I liken to "jihad" (an emotional, vigorous crusade). They are trying to accomplish this through demonizing the group and their favored politicians with rhetoric comparing them to "terror- ists" and "hostage-takers," for the apparently unforgivable sin of wanting the federal budget to come into closer balance with the rev- enues that the American people actually pay. Imagine that! The deficits have no more to do with declining revenues than did our California budget deficits. Yes, tax receipts dropped due to the recession, but only by a small frac- tion of the trillions and trillions of dollars in deficits spent by Democ- rat Congresses since taking control in 2007. Tax rates don’t create deficits; they produce a fairly pre- dictable level of money going to Washington, which should be the limit to what is spent. Wars were authorized and paid for by Con- gresses since 2001, costing about a trillion dollars over 10 years. Almost that same amount (includ- ing interest) was authorized by Democrats and President Obama in about one day and mostly spent in a couple of years. Judge the results for yourself: Iraq free; Americans financially enslaved. Since those on the left and in news media (a redundancy, I know) have taken none of their own advice against inflammatory rhetoric after the Arizona shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, I feel free to call it like I see it. Please note that Ms. Giffords showed up, God bless her, to vote for the debt- ceiling deal – a vote that prompted much of the demonization of the above-mentioned Tea Party, con- servative Republicans – almost simultaneously with the heated and despicable name-calling by Democrats, including Vice Presi- dent Joe Biden. As far as I’m concerned, what pedophiles physically do to chil- dren is comparable to what the out- of-control spenders in Washington are doing to America’s children, grandchildren and future genera- tions, politically and financially. As I tell youngsters who accompany their parents to the Tea Party Patri- ots booth at the Wednesday farm- ers market, "If you grow up and find that you have to pay 70 or 80 percent of what you earn to the government to pay for these deficits and unsustainable pro- grams, just remember that we were the ones that fought like heck to prevent it, and remember who fought and tried to crush us for our principled stand." I write about this because we are treated almost weekly to Tea Party and conservative bashing by writ- ers like Tina Dupuy, and by local letter-writers. Attacks on some are attacks on all of us. We are now all Sarah Palin in the sense that the political, ideological ire of the left shamefully knows no bounds when it comes to ad hominem vitriol and dishonest castigation of an entire group of Americans. It got started back in February when the New York Times (I know, you never read it but most of those providing you with news, informa- tion and opinions do), and Ms. Dupuy, found themselves heaping praise and adora- tion on the rent-a-mobs, student layabouts, and paid-for-and-bussed-in union hacks trashing Madison, Wisconsin. I have many pages of accounts of property destruction, violence and threats directed at elected Republicans from the union and activist left over the ultimately suc- cessful efforts to reduce the power of, and increase the contributions from, unionized public employ- ees. "According to the Times, the activities of the Wisconsin public sector unions – whose expensive benefits have put their state on the brink of bankruptcy – are nothing less than the moral equivalent of the demonstrations in Tunisia that brought down an authoritarian dic- tatorship." (Jonathan S. Tobin, "Times’ Slanted Wisconsin Cover- age Contrasts With Their Treat- ment of Tea Party," Commentary magazine, 2/20/2011) Ms. Dupuy carried more ideo- logical water for that media theme in "This is what a populist move- ment looks like" (2/24), spinning and propagandizing that the Tea Party was just a fake or, worse, unpatriotic and anti-populist, movement. However, the noble union members and organizers, liv- ing off the teats of government largess through strong-armed tac- tics and forced contractual benefits beyond the reach of the taxpayers who foot the bill – those are the salt-of-the-earth, down- trodden masses fighting for their fair share. Oh, puh-lease, spare us the violins and tears for overpaid public ser- vants. Don Polson The way I see it Throughout Wis- consin, local budgets are being balanced, with some surpluses, taxes are being cut, and teachers are actually being hired, or at least not fired, because pub- lic officials can force or negotiate bargains without having to cave in to union demands. That would be except for cities that signed union-friendly con- tracts before the law was passed – too bad they have had to lay off teachers to balance budgets because no unions would make any concessions. Better luck next con- tract. I’ll have more next week; this is just getting started. Your local Tea Party Patriots, meeting in Red Bluff, on Tuesday, and Corning on Thursday, (see Calendar section), are trying to impact local, state and national issues, and trying to advance "Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government Intrusion on Liberties, and Adherence to the Constitution." Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.