Why are taxpayers forced by law, effective Jan. 1, to pay for the college education of children brought into this country illegally, or born to parents here illegally? Is it not enough we pay for educating them kindergarten through high school and give free lunches and breakfasts at the expense of American children’s education? Why […]
Opinion
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Here’s how to hope for peace on Earth
Lompoc
A recent writer lamented being robbed of her liberty to celebrate Christmas by government, city, and private industries (“Let’s take back Christmas,” Dec. 22). Apparently because the schools close for “winter break” instead of “Christmas vacation,” she has been prevented from celebrating as she did in the good old days. Without a nativity scene on […]
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Homeowners need relief
The administration must take immediate action to alleviate the continuing crisis of foreclosures
I read the recent op-ed by Maria V. Eyles (“I’m dancing the foreclosure shuffle,” Nov. 17), which laid out, in excruciating detail, her incredibly difficult experience trying to obtain a mortgage modification. For the sake of our community, I wish it were a unique experience, but constituents call my offices on the Central Coast every […]
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What are your hopes for 2012?
Skip Gibson Skip Gibson’s BBQ owner “I want to have a kid.” Sang Ko UPS Store owner “Less hope, more change.” Steve Orozco UPS Store associate “More jobs for a better life.” Michelle Baylon Coffee Time barista “To go to Disneyland every month, because I have a year pass.”
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Which do you like more, hot chocolate or hot cider?
Francesca Ardizzone teacher “Definitely hot chocolate, because who wouldn’t want to drink chocolate?” Jean Shinn retired “I like both. They both give you energy.” Beverly Irwin retired “I like hot cider, because I don’t like milk.” Victor Oneschuck alcohol and drug counselor “Hot chocolate, because it’s richer and more fattening.”
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What’s your least favorite thing about the holidays?
Erma Lawton retired librarian “The push to buy. Focusing on, ‘What does a teenager want?’ instead of Christ’s birth.” William Scott barber “Feeling rushed.” Larry Skahill writer “Anti-Christian sentiment. Freedom is freedom. It’s a Christian holiday, and this is America.” Shelley Reeger health benefit analyst “If you would’ve asked me last year, it would’ve been […]
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Let’s take back Christmas
Arroyo Grande
Over several years now, government, city, and private industries have robbed us of our Christian liberties and the freedom to celebrate Christmas. Removing nativity scenes from public places, referring to Christmas trees as “holiday trees,” Christmas vacation as “winter break,” and excessive use of “Happy Holidays” erode our freedoms to celebrate Christmas as we have […]
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We must protect the 14th Amendment
Nipomo
Do we have the appetite for change, or are we just going along for the ride? If we want to have equal representation, we are going to have to ask the Supreme Court to revisit the Buckley v. Valeo ruling upholding the ruling that holds money as personal property and the use of money as […]
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Santa Maria can’t afford more cuts
We need legislators to focus on increasing state revenue instead of cutting vital social programs to compensate for the budget shortfall
For six years, I have represented thousands of homecare workers. I am a Santa Maria resident and the Central California Coordinator for UDW: local 3930 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents about 900 homecare workers in Santa Maria who serve elderly and disabled clients through the In-Home Support […]
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What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten or prepared for someone else?
Bryan Hersey Tom’s Burgers food prep “I had a piece of toast with the egg cooked inside it once. It might not be weird to other people, but it was weird to me because I don’t like runny yolk. I’m kind of a simple eater.” Nick Long Tom’s Burgers cook “Some guy ordered a U […]
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A new hope
Share Star Wars with a girl in your life, because she can be geeky, too
So I was at my friends’ house, and their young daughter was playing with a toy that consisted of simple metal locks mounted on a wooden board. She spent quite a while—especially for a toddler—manipulating the various chains and fasteners to open doors that revealed images of cheerful farm animals. Having successfully figured out how […]
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If you could have anything for Christmas, what would it be?
Tina Kay retired “I’m at the point in my life where I’m giving things away, not getting things. The goal is to die broke because you can’t take it with you.” Lisa Gonzalez student “To go visit my family in Mexico and see how they’re doing.” Tom Baker retired “I would sure like a new […]
