LETTERS
Applauding Arnold
In his State of the State address, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger charted an ambitious course for the coming months. The Orange County Business Council likes what it hears concerning the governor’s emphasis on job creation in California.
The governor rightly identified workers’ compensation as the primary negative influence impacting the states business climate. California’s dismal and financially unstable worker’s compensation system with its exorbitant premiums,where employers pay more and legitimately injured workers get less,has created an unprecedented reluctance on the part of employers to expand operations in California and hire new employees. It has crippled the state’s economic competitiveness. The resolution of this issue continues to be business’ top priority.
The governor has indicated he will propose reforms to stabilize the energy market. The energy crisis may be technically over, but companies continue to reel from increased costs and remain wary about energy reliability.
It is good news that the Schwarzenegger administration will seek ways to promote increased efficiency on the part of state government while retaining education as a strong priority so that our youth are well-positioned for the jobs of the future.
The Business Council hopes the Legislature will concur with the governor’s priorities and that we will see meaningful action in each of these areas in the coming year.
Stan Oftelie
President and chief executive
Orange County Business Council
Irvine
Finally, someone is paying attention to California’s business climate and the need to restore jobs in California. The governor’s State of the State address was right on target.
Stephen K. Bone
President and chief executive
The Robert Mayer Corp.
Newport Beach
As a Californian for the last 47 years, I have often been disappointed and discouraged to see the unfriendly way in which our state handles one of its most valuable assets, the California business. Gov. Schwarzenegger in his recent State of the State address has given me reason to hope again.
If the Legislature will cooperate with the governor to foster a pro-business culture, I believe that the state of California will find that its long-term budget problems will eventually melt away and that all who need the important services offered by the state will have their needs met.
Larry Buster
Tustin
Gov. Schwarzenegger is absolutely right in setting job creation and economic recovery as his administration’s priority. Business cannot prosper until business climate issues are addressed.
Bill Steele
Costa Mesa
Jobs
The Bush administration recently announced it will increase cooperation with India on civilian nuclear energy, civilian space programs and high technology trade. And many U.S. white-collar jobs that can be given to lower-paid Indians are theirs for the taking, from radiologists to staffing call centers.
In the same week, Mr. Bush said he wanted to give as many U.S. blue-collar jobs as possible to Mexico, which can’t take care of its own people but really just wants California back.
Our nation’s lower and middle classes will just have to wait for the rest of the Third World to reach parity before they can compete for jobs again!
Barry M. Gold
Barry M. Gold & Co. LLC
Irvine
Forecast
Rick, I thought you missed a couple of obvious ones with your 2004 predictions:
& #149; Jim Doti makes a surprise buyout offer for UCI and Cal State Fullerton after the state cuts their funding.
& #149; Larry Agran announces that Irvine will annex all closed military bases in California.
Tim Cooley
Irvine
Sir Eldon
It amazes me that a normally responsible OCBJ can continue to air the “Viewpoint” of Eldon Griffiths, who on Dec. 8 attempted to link the media’s treatment of JFK and Michael Jackson. Mr. Griffiths exhibits that he is so insensitive to the politics and culture of this country, as opposed to his native island, that I would expect his next linkage to be a comparison of George W. Bush and Carrot Top.
I suggest the OCBJ use the 24 column inches wasted by Mr. Griffiths for some worthwhile purpose, such as debating why OC should ever spend one dollar of public funds in South County, when that area has chosen to allow the rest of us to carry the full burden of OC infrastructure.
Ed St. Amour
Mesa Verde
Dr. Mike’s Deep New Year Thoughts
& #149; One case of mad cow disease out of 92 million cows in the Northwest state of Washington and our great southern friend Mexico stops importing any American beef. I suggest we tell them not to worry. The cows we ship them aren’t infected, they’re just “undocumented.”
& #149; Why are people worried about how Britney’s ex-husband is handling the rejection? How many single guys would love to be her groom for two nights and then get to walk away with a little extra spending money?
& #149; You know Arnold’s State of the State address must really have been good if even the L.A. Times called it uplifting!
& #149; Moses cries out on the mountaintop for relief from a splitting headache. God replies, “Take these two tablets and call me in the morning!”
& #149; Would you publish me more if I referred to myself as Sir Michael of Newport?
A glorious New Year to all.
Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D.
Newport Beach
