Facing facts in Guadalupe

I am writing in reference to the editorial "Recall disease needs to be removed." I want to express my gratitude for seeing the Santa Maria Times taking a stand on this issue in regard to the present activities taking place in Guadalupe.

Many of Guadalupe/s citizens, including myself, have tried to explain to citizens aligned with Sam Arca the real facts of the issues but to no avail. Thank you for pointing out the facts in these matters, which have been so blown out of proportion and twisted to make certain persons appear grandiose in more ways than one.

The editorial pointed out how important it is that the council and administration need to be looking for ways to benefit the city and to do so in a dispassionate, intelligent manner while keeping the best interests of the entire community sharply in focus.

The council and staff, except Mayor Arca, are doing just that. It is time for the issue of control to be put to bed like a spoiled child. I hope all of Guadalupe is able to read the editorial and with intelligence help turn the tide of recall stupidity off.

Sharon Thompson

Guadalupe

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Slowing down, living better

We moved to Santa Maria from the San Jose area two years ago. At first, I was frightened by the move. I was so used to the fast-paced way of life that the Bay Area offered, along with all its amenities. Could I really leave it all behind?

In no time at all, I fell in love with this so-called small town. I adapted to its people, its pace, and its overwhelming beauty. Our family drives to San Jose every month. My husband is in the Air Force National Guard and must dedicate one weekend working for the military. How quickly the tables have turned 7 seeing where we used to live is now frightening to me.

For those of you who moved to Santa Maria to get out of the big city riff-raff, I welcome you with open arms. I also encourage you to visit where you came from every once in a while. In doing so, it just may open your eyes and give you a new appreciation for the life Santa Maria offers 7 without any of the extras.

Christina Soltan

Santa Maria

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MEChA plan is misguided

This letter is in response to Consuelo Cronin/s letter to the editor last month.

"El Plan De Aztlan" from the MEChA web site at the University of Oregon: "In the spirit of a new people that is conscious not only of its proud historical heritage but also of the brutal gringo invasion of our territories, we, the Chicano inhabitants and civilizers of the northern land of Aztlán from whence came our forefathers, reclaiming the land of their birth and consecrating the determination of our people of the sun, declare that the call of our blood is our power, our responsibility, and our inevitable destiny."

That/s the first paragraph and it gets worse!

Cronin is misguided in her defense of MEChA and Cruz Bustamante. What is it about La Raza, the race, or "For the Race everything. Outside the race, nothing," and the term Aztlan, the separate Chicano state this group advocates, that Consuelo cannot understand?

Apologists for MEChA would like you to believe this movement is just nice people concerned about education. MEChA/s words mean things! What would happen if this were a white separatist group? Be mindful that Bustamante refused to denounce MEChA. No matter what your ethnicity, if you love California and your country, say "no" to MEChA and continue to say "no" to Cruz Bustamante.

Michael S. Rivera

Santa Maria

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Putting profit before people

This is in response to the editorial in Sunday/s Times. The real problem here is not whether we want to shop at major chain stores or discount supermarkets. The problem is greed, capital greed by large corporations, the health care and prescription drug companies and a government that would rather send ,87 billion to Iraq rather than provide its own citizens proper health care at a reasonable cost.

Why do we allow drug companies to advertise on TV at the cost of millions of dollars when they could reduce the cost of their drugs by millions? Why are we the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn/t have a national health care system? Capital Greed.

Until we change the status quo and put people before profits and us before them, we will have major problems in this country.

Michael B. Dillon

Guadalupe