Fairy tale

America loves fairy tales. Republicans spin the Rumplestiltskin-like myth that President Ronald Reagan's voodoo economics enriched America. The gigantic Reagan tax cuts for the wealthy were, the myth goes, invested in America, creating jobs for America's middle class. And the tax cuts "paid for themselves" by making the Gross Domestic Pie (Product) larger, thereby decreasing evil government's share.

The national debt grew from $0.75 trillion when Republican Reagan took office to $4.75 trillion when his protégé, George Bush I, left.

Bill Clinton handed George Bush II a budget surplus on a trajectory to eliminate the national debt by 2010. Republican silence was deafening when a Republican Congress and George II's policies instead doubled the national debt to more than $11 trillion. And, by the way, their legacy was an economy in free fall.

Factually, the Republican fairy tale was cover for subverting America to corporate socialism, big business keeps its profits and working Americans suck up its losses. It beggars belief that the current Republican whopper, preservation of for-profit health insurance, is the white knight for America's busted health care system.

Howard T. Goodman

Danville

No serious issue

I thought the "birthers" were finished with their foolishness. Apparently

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not. Mike Postich (Readers' Forum Nov. 7) continues to be baffled because in the past nine months neither the media nor Congress has been willing to challenge President Barack Obama's natural-born U.S. citizen status.

Gee, maybe that's because there is nothing to challenge. Believe me, if there were a scintilla of evidence to support the "birthers" cause, then such evidence would have been discovered long ago by real political heavyweights, not to mention the gaggle of extreme right media with plenty of incentive and resources to pursue the issue.

Incidentally, Postich also lists 16 other assorted documents that he claims the president is withholding from public scrutiny. Among these would be Obama's elementary school records, college records, passport, marriage license, and scholarly articles from the University of Chicago. Pretty heavy stuff, right?

Sorry "birthers," but if there was a serious issue here your favorite radio and television hero's would already have discovered it.

Tom Day

Danville

Get the facts

In December, a small group will be asking the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) to approve a new public charter high school in East Dublin. Tassajara Prep, they claim, is going to focus on high academic achievement, offering Dublin residents a "choice" for their high school-bound students. Here are just a few of the reasons that Dublin High should be The Choice for Dublin students:

  • Academic achievement continues to grow at DHS 2009 API scores rose more than 40 points to 842.

  • 98 percent of 2009 graduates went on to post-high school academic institutions.

  • DHS offers 21 AP and honors courses.

  • Graduation requirements (beginning in 2012) are the most rigorous in the Tri-Valley.

  • Students who succeed in advanced coursework can earn an Advanced Scholars Diploma.

  • DHS has been named a California Distinguished School four times since 1990.

  • DHS is being rebuilt into a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility.

    During this state financial crisis, Dublin has already been forced to make some tough budgetary cuts. If Tassajara Prep is approved, DUSD programs and services will be affected. Parents, know the facts before supporting a charter school that has no history of success. If it is truly academic excellence you seek, Dublin High should be your choice.

    Shari Jackman

    Dublin

    National health care

    The president declares a national emergency because of the H1N1 flu. The government promises 80 million doses and delivers 20 million. The government rations the vaccine, however, in some cases women and children are taken out of line in favor of seniors, but in other clinics seniors are taken out of line in favor of women and children.

    Companies that are owned in part by the government are receiving the vaccine at the expense of hospitals and first responders. You can bet that all members of Congress received their shots. This is what government-run health care will do to the United States.

    I urge you to contact your representatives today to insist we have real reform not government control.

    Charles Fenner

    San Ramon

    Stupid laws

    This is in reference to the article in the Nov. 10 Times about drunken driving.

    Now we all know there are just two kinds of drunken drivers, those who have killed someone and those who are about to.

    This uncaring drunk has at this point had eight chances, and the law is giving him more. So the brain-dead are just going to wait until this clown kills some unsuspecting family, then what?

    Well, I know the laws are stupid, but this is beyond belief.

    Robert Hadley

    Pleasanton