PUBLIC FORUM.

When pigs fly

Re "Greuel wants cost-savings steps revived" (Jan. 24):

Councilwoman Cindy Greuel has come up with a new and startling revelation on how to cure the current financial crises in Los Angeles. Greuel says: "City leaders should start trimming costs and generating more money ... We need to be more disciplined in how we spend taxpayers' money ... We must use our current financial situation to fundamentally re-examine our spending policies and emphasis on fiscal responsibility."

When pigs fly, that's when the L.A. City Council will start dealing with the many financial problems facing our city today. We've heard far too many speeches similar to this one to get excited about one more.

-- FRED PETERS

Burbank

Best for the buck

Re "Troubled state of ... L.A." (Jan. 29):

We read daily how bad the local economy is and all the cuts that must be made to services and to our safety. Our politicians and city leaders have preached to us so often how we must pay the best wages and benefits to get the best people and to retain them in leadership positions.

What have these high-paid city leaders been doing? You don't wait for the water to rise over your head before you start to swim. If these leaders get the best money compared with all other cities, then we should have the best services. Get off your backsides and do what we give you all the best money and benefits for.

-- RON ROTH

Northridge

Who will pay?

Re "GOP hopefuls applaud stimulus package" (Jan. 25):

Several weeks ago, in a GOP presidential debate, all the candidates, except Ron Paul, said our economy was strong and vital. Something awful must have happened in that short period to bring about that $150 billion stimulus package. $150 billion is also the annual cost of the unnecessary and unwinnable Iraq occupation.

Where will the money come from? Communist China, of course. Will the Republicans have to pay for Iraq, the mess in the Middle East or the stimulus package? Of course not. Let the poor and the middle class pay for the over $300 billion annually to pay the credit debt and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren pay for the record profits of Big Oil and Big Business.

-- JEROLD DRUCKER

Tarzana

Measure S

Re "Tough times" (Our Opinions, Jan. 30):

If the pols were to say that they would have to cut their staffs, weed out the deadwood in the various departments and make those who waste our city resources be responsible for the waste, we would all vote against Measure S.

With all the guaranteed votes from city employees, union members and special-interest groups, the special-interest groups' employees' friends and supporters, it's almost certain that Measure S will pass. A large percentage of those who would vote no will stay at home and gripe about the way the government is taking and wasting our tax money. Only one solution is available to us -- get out and vote your conscience.

-- GARTH CARLSON

Reseda

Truthful?

Re "Want change? Read the small print first" (Comment, Jan. 24):

Thomas Sowell makes a good point about political doublespeak. Two current ballot items scream for clarity from the Boss Tweeds of today. Measure S touts a tax reduction for us all. Why do we have to have a ballot initiative to "reduce" taxes? I thought the voters only had to approve tax increases. And why, if this proposition fails, would we then have to reduce public service?

The other glaring issue is state Proposition 93. TV commercials tell us we must have experienced politicians to run the government. So why then does the measure carry a title of "Limits on legislators' term in office"? If they have to stay longer, why are we limiting their term?

-- BILL MERRIMAN

Tujunga

Smoking ban

Re "Too big brother" (Your Opinions, Jan. 21):

Calabasas is a leader in creating a living environment that people can breath in. The idea is to ban smoking in multiunit housing; yes, this includes condos. I live in an apartment and I can smell the smoke from my neighbors with the doors and windows closed. It comes through the walls or common bathroom vent shafts.

The auto industry was made to clean up exhaust fumes and it is working. With regards to a basic right to chose, I also have a right to breath smoke- free air. I consider secondhand smoke to be an attack with intent to cause bodily harm. It cannot be compared to drinking and driving since drinking alone does not cause harm to others.

-- MICHAEL NITZAHN

Tarzana