Domestic investments continue to pay off

Andrew Gray could have made an even stronger point about deficit spending investments ending the Depression had he added to the idea that it was World War II that made the spending politically possible and that war spending is far less effective as an economic stimulus than domestic investments.

It is more accurate to say that FDR's investments in the industrial base before the war made it possible to mobilize quickly and produce the war machinery needed to win on two fronts. Winning the wars was essential, but spending on durable goods and infrastructure continues to pay off economically. We drive over WPA bridges and past tanks parked in war memorials.

And we will forever be assaulted by those who have the statistics to "prove" that Reaganomics works. Were it not for the real world, these arguments might have some weight. We are living with the failure of Reaganomics. Mr. Brenan ought to read Kevin Phillips on the subject.

Don Caughey, Corvallis

Republican ranting is getting really old

Mario E. Magaña hit the nail on the head in his March 10 letter criticizing Republicans about their ranting and raving on President Obama's economic stimulus package. The fact is, they are the cause of this mess we are currently in, and to propose more of the same old ideas to fix our current situation, or, as some Republicans want n to try to cause Obama to fail n is tantamount to treason. This is getting really old to the average American, which is why we overwhelmingly replaced most Republicans in the last election. Thank you, Mr. Magaña, for articulating the causes of the problem in a way that I couldn't. We need more people like Mario to run for office in Oregon.

Allan J. Studley, Corvallis

Have 'no-weapon' households identify themselves

As an amused bystander in the ongoing debate over whether or not concealed gun permits should be made public, along with the Western Oregon University case of the student with a pocket knife and .22-caliber Derringer, I propose the following for consideration:

Yes, make them public n but only after all "no-weapons" households are required to post a notice in large print stating that they have no weapons on their person or in their house. Said notice should be in the front yard or on their front door and on all their vehicles. I'm sure their neighbors, and public at large, will feel much safer knowing there are no guns or knives close by. It should also be made a felony to have any weapons in any private dwelling or vehicle listed as a "no weapons" area.

Fair is fair: Don't ask others to do what you are unwilling to do yourself.

Curly Finster, Alsea

Evanite property is key to urban-renewal plans

Some letters to the editor have said the proposed urban renewal district should not be approved because the district includes Evanite. Two concerns have been mentioned: 1) urban renewal resources might be used to clean up TCE contamination of the site; and 2) redevelopment of Evanite is so complicated that property values won't increase and urban renewal resources will not be generated.

Taken together, these two arguments are contradictory. But contradictions aside, there's a more important point: there is no way the City of Corvallis will voluntarily take on the financial burden of cleaning up Evanite. Cleanup is Evanite's responsibility and theirs alone, and approval of the urban renewal district does nothing to change that.

Many Corvallis residents n especially many of us in south Corvallis n have worked hard to see the day when this industrial site in the heart of our neighborhood and city is transformed. There's no doubt redevelopment will be complicated. But that day will come, and when it does, I want to see development that fits with its unique location: at the confluence of two rivers, adjacent to homes and small businesses, and just across the Marys from downtown. The right kind of development will include public

improvements like park/open space, a multi-use path, and other amenities, all of which will require public resources. An urban renewal district that includes Evanite will provide a way to make this happen. Vote yes on Measure 02-68.

Jim Moorefield, Corvallis