National debt and income inequality in the country
Shelter for the homeless
Re “Newsom: Homekey program a success” (Jan. 19):
Is anyone stupid enough to think that spending billions to house the homeless under Newsom was a success for taxpayers?
Rundown hotels were purchased with taxpayer funds to provide shelter for the homeless. Following that, the city turns to other funding groups for operation.
Afterwards, the mindful governor asks for more tax money, which will remain an endless source of support for centuries to come.
It is the government, not the homeless, that owns the newly made facilities for the homeless. With this new property in their portfolio, our government will continue to request taxpayer dollars to fund the industry. No on Prop 1.
— Stephen Lucas, Van Nuys
Re “Massive national debt must be taken seriously” (Jan. 21):
I don't know how one writes a 1,400-word essay on the federal debt and deficit that doesn't mention taxes once.
There are two factors in the deficit calculation.
After the tax cuts of the Republican Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations, the tax rate on the highest earners was almost cut in half, from 70% from the late '60, to 39% now.
Perhaps this has something to do with the national debt and our cruel income inequality.
— Greg Taber, Riverside
John Eastman and the fund for his defense
Re “Ex-Chapman law dean Eastman pushes for $3.5M defense fund” (Jan. 18):
Someday we may learn why news writer Teri Sforza has such a bee in her bonnet about John Eastman.
The whole case against Eastman and the whole “65 Project” is about showing lawyers what will happen to them if they offer zealous advocacy for any Republican or conservative.
While Sforza thinks there is something wrong with Eastman asking for voluntary donations for his defense, she has no problem with the taxpayer involuntarily paying for his political prosecution and persecution without limit.
I suppose one way to “uphold the integrity of our elections” is to prosecute and punish anyone who questions them. Another might be to go back to the credible system we used for 200 years before COVID.
— Russ Neal, Huntington Beach