Eugene weekly., February 02, 2012, Page 5, Image 5

letters
TO THE EDITOR
Let’s look at the Republican front-
runner Willard Mittens Romney. He regularly
speaks publicly for $300,000 a speech, more
than 10 times my net salary. If he gives 10
speeches a year, that’s 100 times my annual
salary. This does not include the $15 million
he annually grosses from investments (468
times my annual net salary).
Mitt effectively pays a smaller tax
rate than I do, so for every dollar I earn,
Mitt is earning at least $100 not counting
his income from tax differed assets and
investments tucked away in the Caribbean.
It would take me 36 years to earn what a
typical CEO or CFO makes annually.
When you handicap a population’s
earning ability, you are handicapping their
ability to spend money.
Jonathan Seraphim
Eugene
INVALUABLE POOL
A great big thank-you to the
anonymous donor who sent $25,000 to the
Tamarack Pool. I know I speak for many
when I say we depend upon this resource
to live our daily lives. The pain relief the
Tamarack Pool provides is something I
have not been able to fi nd anywhere else.
Having a saltwater facility that is open to
even the most disabled is invaluable.
It was heartwarming to see all the
babies in the pool on Saturday happily
swimming in the warm water, and the swim
lesson board is fi lling up. It is because of
your support, and the support of many
others, that the doors remain open.
If you have never visited Tamarack
Pool, you should. You will fi nd a
community who cares and supports each
other. It is a truly a wonderful place.
Leni Bader
Eugene
ROBERTS’ LEGACY LIVES ON
Two years ago the U.S. Congress
declared every Jan. 23 to be “Ed Roberts
Day.” The work Ed did and the life he lived
had many parallels with Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Both were inspirational speakers
and models for Civil Rights. Both helped
guide systemic change and lasting direct
benefi t to many millions.
In 1962, as James Meredith was escorted
through hostile mobs to attend the University
of Mississippi, my brother Ed was moving his
wheelchair and iron lung into UC-Berkeley.
He was the fi rst person with severe disabilities
to attend UC-Berkeley. His academic, personal
and subsequent political success opened the
door (and installed curb-cuts and accessible
architecture) for millions with disabilities to
follow him out of institutional warehousing
and hopelessness into a new world, one full of
personal choice.
He died 17 years ago. I miss him dearly
and am so proud of his legacy. Although
the push against prejudice remains ever
necessary, the gains made towards equality
will never be abandoned.
One barrier to equality today for all of
us is our “fee for service” medical industry,
particularly onerous for those who are
poor, unemployed and disabled. We in
Oregon have a calling and opportunity
to transform our state health industry
(ultimately federal) into a system in which
every human has a right to health care.
If you would like to learn more and
join in our social and political push for
universal health care, join us at the Peer
Support Club, 990 Oak St., a program of
Lane Independent Living Alliance (www.
lilaoregon.org) here in Eugene.
Mark Roberts
Eugene
AN ACT OF KINDNESS
To the man who bought my groceries
for me when I lost my money this week
(1/20), I was so grateful for your kindness in a
moment of panic. This kind of selfl essness for
a stranger shows that you are a considerate,
generous human being. In a world that seems
to be inundated by corporate greed and
narcissism, it’s nice to know that there are
still kind-hearted, good people out there.
Lil Frey
Eugene
REPAIR SALE
Sale ends February
y 29th
Bring in your
Birkenstock
footwear during the
e
month of February
and SAVE 10%
% on
repairs*
* S a le limited to cla ssic Bir k e ns toc k ,
Bir k i ’s, Pa p illio a nd selec ted Tat ami.
Lif ts a nd m o dific a tio ns exclu d e d.
SANDALS SHOES CLOGS BOOTS
Note: Footwise-Corvallis Repair Sale starts March 1st
&#SPBEXBZt%PXOUPXO&VHFOF
t.PO4BU4VO
'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOF
HELP FOR SCHOOLS
In 2011 Eugene public schools made
about $22 million in cuts. Schools were
closed, teachers were fi red, programs were
slashed and more kids were packed into
fewer classrooms. And we ain’t done yet!
Over the next four years, 4J predicts
budget gaps of more than $50 million.
There’s no reason to believe that the state
or federal government will do anything to
provide signifi cant economic assistance to
schools, and the economy shows no signs
of recovery. However, there is hope.
The Occupy movement has helped
raise awareness of America’s vast
economic inequality. More people are
beginning to understand that the system has
been rigged to benefi t those at the top at the
expense of the 99 percent. We know that
the rich have been doing fantastically well
for decades while working people have
been getting hammered. Even as the Great
Recession (which was made possible by
fi nancial deregulation) devastates ordinary
Americans, those at the top continue to
rake it in.
If we’re going to avoid making more
massive cuts to public education — the
bedrock of democracy — we’re going to
have to act locally. Fortunately, our City
Council has the ability to put a funding
measure targeting the wealthy and super
wealthy to a vote. Poll after poll shows
that the people are ready to support it. The
question is: Does the City Council have the
moral fortitude to make it happen?
Joshua Welch
Eugene
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
The 99 percent complain that they
have no representation. That’s because
they keep electing the 1 percent to offi ce!
Jerry Ritter
Springfi eld
LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and
will print as many as space allows, with priority given to
timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words, keep
submissions to once a month, and include your address
and phone number for our files. Email to letters@
eugeneweekly.com fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251
Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
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EUGENE WEEKLY FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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