We need less haste, less waste from politicians

Editor: I read Dan Walters’ editorial in the May 17 edition of the Sentinel and could not agree more with what he said. How many times do politicians make hasty decisions before they consider the consequences.

I am reminded of a statement made by a wise old writer in the Bible. King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 19:2, “Desire without knowledge is not good – how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”

In other words, haste makes waste. Why do our elected officials so often make quick decisions that later come back to haunt them. Why not wait until all the facts are known, and then they can make a much more intelligent choice.

Thanks Dan Walters for wise editorials.

ROGER STAFFORD Lodi

U.S. should focus more on our national security

Editor: James Madison wrote, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” George Washington warned us not to be entangled with foreign wars yet we have been pulled into European wars from before our nation was a nation to the present day.

A sane foreign policy hinges upon protecting our national security, our borders and sovereignty. So the question is: Is Ukraine a national security concern to us or is it another European conflict that the U.S. is being dragged into where we have no real national security concerns?

Yes, we have moral reasons to help but when the nations most affected give little to aid, should we give the lion’s share of the aid while putting our economy and security at risk? The government of Ukraine was well known to be the most corrupt in Europe. Even Democrats called out Zelensky as corrupt until Russia invaded and becoming the second coming of Christ.

JFK said without the United States, the chances of freedom surviving, let alone prevailing around the globe, are non-existent. How can we be strong to aid others when our own government refuses to protect our own security and well-being? As our national security is threatened at our border being over-run we have an administration and a president who is more concerned with foreign nations security than our own. Biden needs to be president of America not Ukraine. His first duty is to the citizens of America, who it’s obvious he has little thought.

JFK also said, “Should we fail to follow the dictates of our own security, our enemies will chalk it up, not to good will, but to a failure of will,” at which point our enemies will take advantage and are. Biden inherited the most secure border in decades, dismantling all our agreements with our southern partners resulting in the chaos we see at the border. Remember Biden promised he would bring calm after the so-called chaos of Trump? If what Biden has given us is “calm” with banks failing, recession, more war, highest inflation in 40-plus years … I’ll take Trump’s chaos anytime!

RON PORTAL Lodi

Homes will not solve homelessness

Editor: It was discouraging to read that California mayors believe that spending $2B annually on housing (May 18) will solve the homeless crisis. Haven’t the mayors learned anything about the real problems on their streets; namely, mental illness and substance abuse (80% of the problem)? To use just one example, look what happened in San Francisco when mentally ill and substance abuse street people were put into housing and hotels without proper supervision, they destroyed the rooms.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria says “Homelessness is solvable but we need the resources…” Simply focusing on providing shelters will not solve the problems. Mental illness and substance abuse do not simply disappear when housing is provided.

Mayor Gloria also notes that “we’re simply not keeping pace with the number of people who are becoming newly homeless.” Part of the problem here is that numbers grow because government officials and the nonprofit organizations supporting homeless initiatives incentivize the condition. Take Lodi as an example. We provide free shelter, free food, free showers, free dry cleaning, and gifts from citizens. Why work like most of us if these benefits are free with no responsibilities attached.

The article also mentioned that Governor Newsom opposes the current funding approach preferring to expand mental health treatment beds. Hopefully, this is a start in the right direction emphasizing strategies to treat mental illness and substance abuse. To be successful this strategy will have to emphasize some forms of institutionalization.

The governor says we have not “seen an adequate return on investment.” This is because we have been trying to solve the wrong problem. It is time to get on the right track.

TIM LONEY Lodi