Opinion Archives - Page 300 of 321

Santa Maria’s changing demographics

Farm-worker challenges to this area’s great quality of life need to be addressed

by TORU MIYOSHI August 18, 2009August 17, 2023

The city of Santa Maria is becoming known as a Hispanic community throughout the Central Coast, and with the negative profiling that is associated with the illegal immigrants, the social and racial tensions are unfortunately escalating. It is getting to be whenever any negative incident occurs, the fingers point to our Hispanic community. By […]

Opinion

If you could create a holiday what would it be?

by Sun Staff August 13, 2009August 17, 2023

Andrea Serafin mom/student “Something to do with babies and children. Every day is baby day at our house. We’d spend time feeding the ducks. We’d just play and have fun.” Debra Follett (right) domestic goddess “I think Pet Day would be great. I’d take my dogs to the beach and let them go crazy. There’d […]

Opinion

In support of the Veterans Administration

San Luis Obispo

by Jamie Ford August 11, 2009August 17, 2023

My recent letter to the editor (“Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” July 30) included such lines as “Let’s save our vets from big government and its socialized medical programs.” and “Patriots! Tell the Veterans’ Administration no more funding.” Those comments, as well as the entire letter, were written tongue-in-cheek and not intended to […]

Opinion

I’ve been well served by veteran health care

Lompoc

by Elizabeth Christensen August 11, 2009August 17, 2023

To your correspondent who decries our veterans’ health care system as socialized medicine (“Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” July 30), I can only say that as a military widow, I feel very well served by the present combination of Medicare and Tricare for Life for us older ones—“the best insurance in the country,” two […]

Opinion

You choose your health care, and I’ll choose mine

San Luis Obispo, vice chair, Veterans United For Truth, Inc.

by Sanford D. Cook, LTC USA (retired) August 11, 2009August 17, 2023

Somehow, I missed the outrageous letter from Jamie Ford of San Luis Obispo, titled “Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” when it first appeared in New Times and the Santa Maria Sun (July 30). While much in it is just cant and nonsense, certain points need a response. If he/she defines veterans health care […]

Opinion

What was the last concert you went to?

by Sun Staff August 6, 2009January 26, 2023

Ernesto Vela currier “Pepe Aguilar at the Hollywood Bowl. That was when we only had one kid.” Vince Brunello camp counselor “Del tha Funkee Homosapien at SLO Brew. I was front row.” Marissa Cisneros camp counselor “The Brandi concert. I was, like, 10 years old. It was my first and last concert.” Katherine McKeon lawyer […]

Opinion

Who will care for your pets when you can’t?

Don’t let a hospitalization or death harm your beloved animals

by HAZEL MORTENSEN August 4, 2009August 17, 2023

When I volunteered at the Orange County animal shelter, people often brought in a pet who had belonged to a deceased relative. It appeared that those who inherit the house, etc., also got the pets. The kill rate was very high at that time. I would try to encourage the person to make […]

Opinion

Who’s your favorite superhero?

by Sun Staff July 30, 2009January 26, 2023

Kelsea Bosell student “Spider-man. He’s half spider, half man, and he shoots webs out of his wrists.” Joey Shuemaker handyman “The Invisible Man, because he can’t be seen and he can get away with anything.” Shae Laggren student “Superman, because he has super strength and he can fly. And he has heat vision. If I […]

Opinion

Our health is what’s important

Templeton

by Janice Mundee July 28, 2009August 17, 2023

I hate insurance companies. Let me explain. Let’s start with car insurance. You pay your car insurance each and every month in case you get in an accident. Then you get in an accident. The insurance company balks at having to pay anything. Next, you can guarantee your monthly fee will go up, or the […]

Opinion

Do veterans deserve socialist health care?

San Luis Obispo

by Jamie Ford July 28, 2009August 17, 2023

In this, the freest country on Earth, there is no excuse for relegating those who have served our country with honor, maintaining the freedoms we all cherish, to a creeping growth of socialist programs. This is not what our veterans fought for. Government run programs, funded by our tax dollars, staffed by government employees […]

Opinion

Investigate what’s behind the Cambridge debacle

Arroyo Grande

by Roy Berger July 28, 2009August 17, 2023

In the Cambridge brouhaha about the white cop arresting a black professor in his home, what is being ignored is who called the cops and why. Was it a neighbor with a grudge? Was it a white who saw a black trying to get in the house? That call is what set the stage […]

Opinion

No socialism for American medical reform

Lompoc

by Justin M. Ruhge July 28, 2009August 17, 2023

We have the best medicine in the world because the American free enterprise, capitalist system developed it. Let’s not ruin it with socialism. Medicare is a good example of what not to do. It cost too much; seniors older than 65, like ourselves, are forced to use it; we are forced to pay for […]