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6A Daily News– Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Opinion DAILYNEWS 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 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. 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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 C'est la vie, America Commentary Bonjour, America It was a great week, no? Pres- ident Obama has won a second term. The transformation into a French-style democratic model shall commence. Comment allez-vous? You are not doing so well? Be happy, my friends. passions, but America did not. So they came and worked hard, thankless jobs in mills and coal mines — so their children could embrace an even greater American dream. It is true that America was founded on a very simple idea: liberty. Liberal thinkers of that time distrusted government and saw its expansion as an encroachment on freedom. When America's Founders declared their independence from Britain, these are the radi- cal words they used: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ... ." Your Founders believed gov- ernment should defend the basic rights of the individual, so the individual could pursue his or her passion freely. An amazing concept, liberty. It unleashed the most energetic, inventive economy in the history of mankind for many years. It was the dream of millions of immigrants to come to Amer- ica. They fled lands that inhibit- ed their abilities to pursue their The early immigrants were proud people. They could not accept handouts and government assistance — even if they were desperate for them. They asked for nothing but the opportunity to work and make their own way. advertises the free food in their college newspapers. Only a fool would turn it down. Americans have long been generous in helping the truly poor and destitute, but how many of you know of others who take advantage of this gen- erosity? They taught pride to their children. Their children would go on to get educations and become doctors, teachers, busi- ness leaders — pursuing their own passions at a higher level. All institutions thrived in this free land. Religious institutions were free to build and grow, to believe and preach anything they wished. The government was forbidden to intrude and religion flourished. Tres bien, merci. In this new America, pride is a dying concept. So many younger people have no shame in accepting the government assistance their great-grandpar- ents shunned. College kids from upper-mid- dle-class homes are eager and happy to accept government food cards. The government But America is changing, no? What of the young man, 21, who works as a cook? He has two children with his girlfriend. She lives in a very nice apart- ment paid for by the government. She has free health care for Tom her kids, free utilities, free food. Do not tell the government, my friends, but the young man, a source of unreported income, lives with his girlfriend. A fami- ly should be together, no? Marry her, you say? You fool! And lose the benefits? Such is becoming the norm in America. It is a key reason why more than 40 percent of Ameri- can babies are born to unwed mothers. Purcell hardworking though they may be, very much enjoy government benefits now. Working menial, hard jobs does not pay so well. The govern- ment can make life so much easier — so why not vote for the politi- cian who promises to give you the most, as more than 70 percent of Latino and Asian American voters did? There is no shame in this, my friend. A new era has arrived. Ameri- ca is much more like Europe now. The growing number of people who happily depend on government benefits represent a powerful voting block that can be the deciding factor in any election, as it was on Nov. 6. Why fight it, my friend? Pour some cognac in your tea and join in on the fun. C'est la vie, America. It is true that immigrants still come and some are proud and ask only for the opportunity to pursue their passions freely. But the majority of them, 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. Editor: I was dismayed, then angry, at the presumptuous action taken by Vern Raglin in response to the results of the recent election. Although I am sure that Mr. Raglin is a loyal and dedicated public servant, he needs to remem- ber that the flag pole is not his. While I support a citizen's right to peacefully protest, using a public entity (i.e. the flag pole) as a per- sonal pulpit is unacceptable. I agree that this country has Flag protest state and country — that we can all find a way to be part of the solu- tion — not part of the problem. Also – in the future, please do not presume to represent me. I can do that just fine. Nancy Howard Hickson, Red Bluff many challenges, but his views do not represent me. I think that his prognostication of "doom and gloom" is more sensationalism, than substance. His perception is just that – his perception. It is also timely at this juncture to note that many of the frequent writers who pen letters to the edi- tor do not represent a majority in this country, as evidenced by the election. Their dire warnings to "Wake Up America!"; that current policies are leading us into Social- ism, and that soon we will be con- trolled by Muslims (or Mexicans, Asians, welfare moms, Femi- Nazi's, baby killers and heathens) is their perception and they do not speak for me. behoove all of us to put our pas- sion and energy into fixing our problems. We have far more in common than we do differences. If you have time to write (frequent) letters – then you have time to help. There are so many good things going on in this county, At this point, I think it would I read with interest the front page of the paper about the flag being flown upside down and half staff and after reading the article wondered to myself how many let- ters to the editor you would receive on this one. You asked for it Editor: But to my surprise the first thing I see is a editorial saying "good for Vern." You asked for it so here goes: The two cases you sighted and Mc Donalds and the county super- visor do not compare to what hap- pened here. The flags in those cases were owned by and dis- played on private property. While I agree with Mr. Raglin's right to protest even when it involves our American flag he needs to realize that the flag he protested is not his property and the place he dis- played it is not his private proper- ty. in retrospect it was an error in judgement and would question him further if he really said that we will have a new Constitution and new Bill of Rights because of what happened Tuesday. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Raglin not everyone agrees with you about the outcome of the election and and would appreci- ate it if Mr. Raglin could find a place to protest next time where people will realize it is his opin- ion and not the opinion of the entire population of Red Bluff or Tehama County. Dorothy Kersey, Red Bluff Editor: I would like to comment on the gentleman who hung the american flag upside down. No respect No one has the right to do this. So you were disappointed Vern Raglin. Isn't that too bad. Grow up. Deal with it. not you or I agree with the senti- ment is immaterial." I can agree with Mr. Raglin's sentiment, but not his statement. Your Turn The flag, flagpole, benches, Bill of Rights plaque and the plaque with the names of those who served our country was dedi- cated to all, but not as a forum for one person to make a political statement. George Downs, Red Bluff abused Privilege caretaker of the American flag that he flies daily. This is a priv- ilege. If he had done any research, he would have known that displaying the flag in the manner he did without a true emergency, is meant to disre- spect American GIs. Editor: Mr. Vern Raglin has been the Chip Thompson as editor you might try being a little more impartial in your editorials. The thing missing here is respect. Esther Taylor, Red Bluff It seems to me that he has been caring for this flag for so long he has come to think of it as his and it is not. He needs to remember where the monies to purchase it came from and why that flag is being flown at that place and it is not so he can have a place to protest. I agree with his statement that Sad commentary Editor: Your Friday editorial regarding the flying of the flag in the distress position was a sad commentary. As Mr. Raglin was quoted in the article, "It was an error (in judgment) on my part," and it was. Your own opinion went well beyond, as you state "whether or The editor of the Daily News in his opinion the following day, was inclined to dismiss this act because, "the sentiment is one shared by a good majority of county voters." ment was made and, yes, Mr. Raglin is entitled to express his opinion, but expressing his opin- ion with property not belonging to him is considered vandalism. My hope would be that all folks in our area, no matter what their political affiliation, would come together and not tolerate this type of petulant display. Jan Petersen, Red Bluff Reference to the 1st Amend- 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), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 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.