MercedSun-Star.com: Our View

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Latest Articles in this Channel:

02/08/12--09:02: Our View: Merced council once again votes against jobs (chan 1844746)

We're deeply disappointed that the Merced City Council voted down a development proposal to build four multistory commercial office buildings in North Merced near Mercy Medical Center.


02/09/12--05:20: Our View: Water bond initiative is plugged up (chan 1844746)

The longer the state delays making crucial fixes to its crumbling water infrastructure, the more costly it will get. Unfortunately, the $11.1 billion water bond scheduled for the November ballot has so much pork in it that voters are likely to kill it, and that will set back the effort for years.


02/10/12--06:19: Our View: More mortgage relief needed (chan 1844746)

Millions of Americans owe more on their homes than their property is currently worth. For many of these "underwater" homeowners, Thursday's self-congratulatory announcement by federal and state officials of a $25 billion settlement with big mortgage servicers probably sounded like too little, too late.


02/11/12--01:28: Our View: Taking better care of pets badly needed (chan 1844746)

We are all called upon to be good citizens. This is a daily responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly -- it entails proper conduct on a number of fronts.


02/13/12--01:01: Our View: Streamline food stamp program (chan 1844746)

Since the Great Depression of the 1930s, Americans have had access to a basic safety net to see them through hard times, from food stamps to unemployment insurance. In downturns, enrollments go up; in boom times, they go down.


02/14/12--01:11: Our View: Congress must curb insider trading (chan 1844746)

Congress, which has a history of exempting itself from laws that others must follow, may finally agree that it shouldn't be involved in insider trading. But don't be surprised if members of Congress try to dodge insider trading laws by creating a loophole.


02/15/12--05:41: Our View: Where Denham is doing good (chan 1844746)

Rep. Jeff Denham reminds us of the slave who used to ride in the chariot of the Roman emperor, returning triumphant from conquest. "All fame is fleeting," the slave would whisper into the leader's ear. "All fame is fleeting." A reminder not to get too far ahead of yourself.


02/16/12--06:41: Our View: Pension reform takes another hit (chan 1844746)

It's unfortunate that California Attorney General Kamala Harris has used her official role to tip the political scales in favor of public employee unions that oppose pension reform.


02/17/12--06:25: Victor Davis Hansen: Revisit illegal immigration (chan 1844746)

President Barack Obama recently assured El Salvador that the United States would not deport more 200,000 Salvadorans residing illegally in the United States.


02/17/12--06:27: Our View: 'Roads only' the wrong direction (chan 1844746)

House Republicans have proposed a radical change to U.S. transportation policy.


02/18/12--02:01: Our View: The dynamo who leads UC Merced (chan 1844746)

UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland stopped by the Sun-Star editorial board this week. She had some things on her mind -- campus construction and expansion, collaboration with private enterprise and Valley organizations, more funding and fewer cuts from the state government.


02/20/12--01:16: Our View: Recalling one of George's big concerns (chan 1844746)

In 1879, Congress declared George Washington's birthday a federal holiday. Then came the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. Washington's Birthday was moved from Feb. 22 to the third Monday in February and recast as Presidents Day. Washington has all but been forgotten.


02/21/12--01:38: Our View: Spark of hope in reforming immigration (chan 1844746)

Last week's visit to the San Joaquin Valley by Mexico's ambassador to the United States highlighted the many opportunities and challenges that we have in our relationship with our neighbor to the south.


02/22/12--06:59: Our View: Part-time legislature a good idea (chan 1844746)

In another stunning display of arrogance, California lawmakers held phony legislative sessions Friday just so they can continue to receive their tax-free $141 per-day expense payments through the Presidents Day holiday weekend. This is on top of their $95,291 annual salaries.


02/23/12--00:17: Our View: Two-year colleges must refine focus (chan 1844746)

Community colleges such as Merced College offer opportunity for millions of Californians seeking to better themselves. But that vital system has been neglected and must be righted.