Opinion
We do not mind paying taxes, we do not mind living small while the fat cats live large; but to pay more taxes while our schools lack funding, to pay a higher tax rate than billionaires, while we cannot afford to send our kids to college, is outrageous.
To continue on this path, we are establishing a permanent aristocracy in this country. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have pledged half their fortune to philanthropy, but that does not excuse the class war the rich are waging against us.
Why should corporations be able to write off all or most of their taxes, while earning record profits? Why are we letting the rich dictate the tax code?
Oh, they are paying for our legislator’s campaign funds. We allowed the Republicans to stack the Supreme Court with conservatives, now there are no limits on campaign contributions.
We are following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire, we are rotting from within. Greed has our upper class squeezing the middle class into the lower class, by laying the cost of our government on them.
One cannot juice a turnip, or tax the lower class, so the only class left is the middle class, but soon there will no longer be any and we will be like Europe used to be, or as Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake.”
We know what happened after that, people get tired of the inequity, and the lack of opportunity for their children. No hope means desperation sets in and anything can happen. People will feed their families, clothe and house them as well.
Class mobility requires education, and we are pricing the middle class out of the university system. As we starve our kindergarten through grade 12, ensure that equal opportunity is a “will o wisp.”
When you think on the tent cities, think of them as representing those of us who sit and watch, while our socioeconomic status drops.
Our standard of living drops. Our children’s future drops. Our expectations are dropping unless our legislature wakes up and becomes our representatives again. Servant of the people used to mean something good.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: David Gebhard
This was an amazing event and credit must be given where credit is due.
Twenty teen drivers participated in the event and because of all those involved the teens are better drivers.
Thanks first of all to California Highway Patrol Chief Stephen Bell and Lt. Greg Baarts for pointing me to NASA.
To Will Faules and Jerry Kunzman, who worked with me to bring this event to Lake County, thank you for bringing your great organization to our community.
Chuck Holder, thanks to you and your staff for the use of your parking lot to hold the event. You are truly a community-oriented business man.
Eric Wheaton, thank you for helping promote the event, getting scholarships and for your instruction during the event. I enjoyed working with you.
Thank you to the schools that allowed us to come and speak about the clinic – Upper Lake High School, Clear Lake High School, Kelseyville High School and Middletown High School.
Thanks to our local media, especially Mandy Feder, Elizabeth Larson and Denise Rockenstein for promoting this event for our young drivers.
Damon Trimble, thank you for giving up your time with set up and take down and the skid pad.
Keith Stottsberry and Stotts Trucking, thank you for watering down the skid pad and spending the day with us.
Thank you, Doug Grider, Lakeport Public Works Department, for sweeping the loose gravel off the course.
To Ken Wells and the Lakeport Fire Department, thank you for being there, and what you do everyday.
Thank you to the Lakeport Kiwanis for two scholarships and Willits Kiwanis Immediate Past President Carl Gallups for a scholarship.
And to the incredible NASA staff – Scott Smith, Bob Herr, Darsie Evens, Brad Bowles, Sarah Zwain, Hans Dinse, Joe Sesto, Andy West, Tim Bringman and Bruce Brower – thank you all for a great day.
To St. Peter's Church and Karen Renteria, thank you so much for all the tables and chairs.
Thank you to the Clear Lake High School Girls Basketball program for preparing a great lunch – Rick Gabehart, Jim Kennedy, Joe Wind, Julie Reynolds, Amy Wind, Yesenia Lopes, Coree Alexander and JoJo Augustine.
Thank you everyone. This event was better than I ever imagined and the improvement I saw in the drivers as they proceeded through the day was amazing.
I sincerely hope that we can continue this event and continue to help teens become better drivers and save lives.
Kory Reynolds is an officer with the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Kory Reynolds
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