Letters to the Editor for April 10, 2012

Grateful for current waterfront development plans

Heather Acheson’s recent editorial about the current waterfront development on the former Hambleton Brothers Lumber Mill site was well stated.

I think it is important to emphasize that one of the most positive things about this new development is that it will be done with private money. The land and the buildings will be privately owned and they will generate property tax and real estate excise tax to support schools, police and fire services, parks and libraries.

This is where Riverwalk failed, because they wanted the public to purchase the land and to pay for all the infrastructure to support development. The Riverwalk proposal would only have collected sales tax and lease-hold tax, which is far inferior in revenue to local tax districts.

We should all be grateful that this project will be privately funded and that a well-known local developer, George Killian Pacific, with a reputation for paying its bills and completing its projects, will be undertaking this project.

Roger Daniels, Washougal

Health care system is corrupt

During its first 75 years, Germany was hardly a model of democracy. A militaristic empire, its leaders led it into World War I, the consequences of which were Hitler, the rise of Nazism and a second World War.

Yet somehow, Germany from the beginning was able to accomplish something that “democratic” America seems incapable of: it guaranteed the right to medical care to its citizens, regardless of income or position in society (and still does).

In America, it is still considered a “for-profit” commodity. 45,000 people a year die and millions more are bankrupted as a result.

So-called “Obamacare” is a weak start toward guaranteed health care that the rest of the industrialized world takes for granted, but there are at least some benefits in this law — and it may one day lead to a more enlightened day when medical and dental care is not considered a profit center for a corrupt, blood-sucking industry. Yet ignorant individuals and the self-appointed kings on the Supreme Court want to eliminate even these mild reforms.

What is our excuse? Other countries look at our health care system and find it cruel, disgusting and shameful. But I guess America Inc. has no shame.

K.J. McElrath, Camas

Take part in Democratic caucus

While the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party is probably already known, there are still outstanding party issues to be resolved.

On April 15, Democratic Party caucuses will be held throughout Washington State to address these issues.

Delegates to the county, state, and national conventions will be selected through a three-step process. Electors will be chosen for the Presidential Electoral College. The party platform and resolutions will be proposed and considered. Elected office candidates will appear at the conventions.

The first level caucuses for most Camas and Washougal residents will be held in Camas at 1 p.m. in the Zellerbach Administration Center, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave. The precincts participating in the Camas caucuses are: For the 18th Legislative District, precincts 648, 900, 905, 910, 913, 914, 915, 917, 925, 935, 950, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 985; For the 14th Legislative District precincts 920, 930, 940, 947.

Unless you are 17, you must be registered to vote to participate. If you are 17 and will be 18 on or before Nov. 6, you may also participate by contacting the Clark County elections department.

If you have moved, please re-register at your new address.

To register, re-register, or to find out your precinct number go to wei.secstate.wa.gov/olvrsite (the Washington State elections website). You may also contact the Clark County Elections Department at 397-2345 or elections@clark.wa.gov. Information can also be found at www.bluedonkeys.com.

Ralph Schmidt, Camas, Area caucus coordinator