See how ‘Under’ did in Council races

In their articles on the Corvallis city council races, the Gazette-Times did not mention “under votes,” and what they tell us.

If “Under” had been a candidate, the results would be: WARD 1: Mark O’Brien, 38.28 percent; Bill York, 34.22 percent; Under, 27 percent. WARD 2: Patricia Daniels, 40.84 percent; Scott Clifford, 17.48 percent; Under, 40.45 percent.

In WARD 3, Richard Hervey, 55.32 percent; Under, 42.86 percent; WARD 4, Brown, 58.67 percent, Under, 39.76 percent; WARD 5: Mike Beilstein, 39.16 percent; Rob Gandara, 28.31 percent; Under, 31.09 percent.

In WARD 6, Joel Hirsch, 37.45 percent; John Detweiler, 30.89 percent; Under, 30.52 percent. WARD 7, Jeanne Raymond, 59.08 percent; Under, 38.92 percent. WARD 8, David Hamby,58.82 percent; Under, 40.33 percent. WARD 9, Hal Brauner, 55.97 percent; Under, 42.28 percent.

In several two-person races, Under would have come in second. In one-person races, Under did not do too badly.

Given the large turnout in this election, the success of Under tells me that too many Corvallis-ites don’t care about City Council races, which is sad because the City Council is the government that is closest to the citizen.

There are many important decisions that the Council is going to make with respect to land use, sustainability, nuisances and the budget within the next two years. Citizens who did not vote for City Councilor have no right to whine if council decisions don’t go their way.

John H. Detweiler, Corvallis

Editor’s note: Undervotes reflects when a voter does not mark the ballot for any candidate seeking office in a contested or non-contested race. John Detweiler was a candidate for the Ward 6 seat won Nov. 4 by Joel Hirsch.

Obama’s election restores hope, faith

I am so proud that Barack Obama is my president.

President-elect Obama has restored my hope and faith in the future of the United States and in the political process.

I’m deeply grateful and humbled by his example, leadership, ethics, inspiration and service at this critical time in our nation.

Wendy M. Haber, Alsea

Heed GOP calls of support for Obama

In his concession speech, John McCain pledged to support Barack Obama in the task of improving this country. McCain’s sincerity was obvious. His demeanor in defeat confirmed that, if the true pre-campaign McCain had been elected, even devout Democrats could have been fairly comfortable with his presidency.

President Bush also made an eloquent congratulatory statement and pledged to ease the transition for the new president.

Then there was Larry Daley’s Nov. 6 letter, “What abuses will Obama bring?”

With the ink on the election results not even dried, he is throwing out all sorts of unsubstantiated ideas he associates with an Obama presidency. Everyone has a constitutional right to hold extreme opinions, and it is great that the Gazette-Times can publish most letters that are sent in.

But Mr. Daley should “read the memo” from Sen. McCain and the popular vote, that people really are tired of the divisive tactics of the last few years.

This is a chance for local Republican leaders to speak up and persuade the local Democratic majority that they got the message and will work toward the nation’s well-being and perhaps even our future votes.

They should also clearly disassociate themselves from loose cannons. If our view of Republican or Conservative “principles” comes for these sources, their time in the wilderness will be long.

Laurence Padman, Corvallis

Personal attacks are an ineffective tactic

I would like to publish this response (in reply to my Nov. 6 letter):

When a political letter elicits personal attacks, such responses are not effective. Moreover, such suggests that the original political inquiry may have some merit. Thus I thank my respondents for their support of my statements.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Larry Daley, Corvallis

A little history on taxes and slavery

Gordon Shadle stated in his Nov. 7 letter that he feels that progressive taxes are a form of slavery. The history of income taxes in this country shows that his assumptions are wrong, so his anger is misplaced.

The first federal income tax began in 1862. It was graduated or progressive. People who earned over $10,000 paid a higher tax rate than those who made under $10,000. People who made under $600 paid no taxes.

In 1895, the Supreme Court ruled that federal income taxes were illegal. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution made them legal. Tax laws passed since then by states and the federal government have all been progressive.

In 1986, President Reagan lowered tax rates for the highest income earners from 50 percent to 28 percent. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush cut the highest rates from 28 percent to 25 percent. This was a temporary decrease that will expire unless it is renewed. Obama simply wants to let the law expire.

Progressive tax rates have always existed. McCain is on record supporting them. He decided to make a campaign issue of it because of Obama’s use of the phrase “spreading the wealth.” He and Karl Rove now admit that Obama isn’t socialist. It was simply a campaign tactic to scare us. Apparently it worked on Mr. Shadle.

Hopefully this information can ease the fears and break the chains of oppression for Mr. Shadle.

Will Reid, Corvallis

Let’s not confuse slavery and taxation

I am writing in response to Gordon Shadle’s Nov. 7 letter, “‘Spreading wealth’ is a form of slavery.” I think Mr Shadle has confused slavery with taxation.

How is taking money from middle- and lower-class families and giving tax breaks to large corporations better than the opposite?

Especially after the latest financial fiasco, I personally trust the middle class with the money much more than the large corporations. The same corporations that send those citizens’ jobs overseas, and play fast and loose with tax payer money. Personally, I would much rather be a “slave” to my fellow lower income tax payers than to Big Business.

Travis Anderson, Corvallis

Democrats should be more tolerant

The presidential election has ended, so now we have the opportunity to contemplate the way our country deals with politics.

If the past election taught us anything, it should’ve taught us that we need some soul-searching.

A number of Corvallis citizens could initiate this soul-searching by evaluating why they reacted with such venomous, personal hatred for John McCain and Sarah Palin and anyone critical of Barack Obama.

The responsibility to start this discussion lies with these people for two reasons:

• Democrats profess to support tolerance; they should be practicing what they preach and set an example for conservatives.

• Democrats take pride in their intelligence and education. Therefore, they should work diligently to realize a way of interacting with those critical of their candidate without making personal attacks.

Instead, some Democrats in our community tended to demonize and dehumanize McCain and Palin while deifying Obama. Democrats even seemed to treat as traitors anyone questioning Obama’s progressiveness.

For our community, country and children, we need to start this discussion in the Gazette-Times, in the streets and in our homes.

William Hormann, Corvallis