MAILBAG:

The title of Humberto Caspa’s article (“Bever should learn from history,” June 5) should read: “Bever has learned from history.”

Closing the job center was a bad idea predicated on the “Don’t Build It, and They Won’t Come” theory.

What nonsense. They are here. Illegal immigration is a serious national issue, but closing the job center is not part of the solution.

The job center is about safety, decency and practicality. This city, as nearly all others in California, depends on day laborers to fill temporary jobs but no citizen wants to see workers, legal or illegal, loitering on street corners and in front of convenience stores while they await employment.

I didn’t vote for Eric Bever, but I applaud his willingness to face reality and own up to a bad decision.

DAVID C. WENSLEY

Costa Mesa

Senators represent money, not people

I see two of our state senators, Dick Ackerman and Tom Harman, voted for their true constituents on Senate Bill 1423.

SB 1423 would have prevented the phone companies from charging people for not listing their phone number.

AT&T;, which gives millions of dollars to local campaigns, lobbied hard against this measure, assigning individual lobbyists to all committee members including Ackerman and Harman. Wow, what a surprise that Ackerman and Harman voted against SB 1423. Ackerman and Harman do not represent people in their districts; they represent money (regardless of where it comes from).

MICHAEL DUNN

Costa Mesa

Harman caused, not stopped, hidden taxes

Two months ago I wrote on the failure of GOP legislators like Harman to back the governor’s call for modest tax increases. I noted that their failure to pass overt taxes would result in hidden taxes. In a recent article, Harman cries crocodile tears over a planned 7.4% increase in UC tuition (cumulative 93% hike over five years), which he blames on bloated salaries (“UC administrators’ salaries burden the taxpayer,” May 28).

Harman would like you to believe he bears no responsibility for such increased fees, but he and his GOP cohorts are the reason we fund government services through the backdoor with hidden taxes such as higher fees.

BOB SCHMIDT

Newport Beach

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