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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Five Guys Burgers seeks plan approval ... Four injured in Grants Pass fifth-wheel explosion and fire ... Police chase stolen truck down I-5 from Myrtle Creek to Medford ... Five Guys Burgers seeks plan approval ... Four injured in Grants Pass fifth-wheel explosion and fire ... Police chase stolen truck down I-5 from Myrtle Creek to Medford ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Feb. 13 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Diversity changed parties The Democratic Party has long claimed to be the party of diversity, with a coalition of varying social and ethnic groups all gathered under the "big tent." However, all they offer their voters this election year are an aging white woman who is being investigated by the FBI and a very old white socialist who is not even a member of the Democratic Party. The Republicans offered a slate of candidates that included four current or former U.S. senators, six current or former state governors, a corporate CEO, a brain surgeon and a real estate tycoon. Among them were two Hispanics, an African American and a woman. Diversity seems to have changed parties. Tom Brussat Jacksonville More taxes Wouldn’t it be nice if the Mail Tribune provided front page coverage of really important stuff, like what our state legislators are planning on doing to us in their one-month “fast track” February legislative session? Examples: (1) Property tax (SJR 201): weakening protection against the existing Measure 50 cap on tax assessment rates. (in other words, they want to be able to raise taxes without restrictions). (2) Blacklisting (LC 250): allows your teachers, doctor, boss, or family member (i.e. just about anybody) to block your right to self defense by blocking your purchase of a firearm. (3) Cap and trade: (SB 1574); to enact a cap-and-trade mandate : basically a sales tax on energy (like California where it’s responsible for gas prices over $1 per gallon higher than national rates, plus electrical rates up to four times higher. (4) Double Oregon’s hotel tax: essentially facilitates a scheme to fund activities for which special interests could rake in profits a la Kitzhaber’s methods. (5) Etc., etc.: including numerous “no-name” bills by authors who hide their identities (read “schemes”), and avoid having to answer questions. I strongly urge all to join the Taxpayers Association of Oregon. M. Isaak Medford More on Pitts In response to Peter Ware’s letter, “Love Leonard Pitts” Feb. 8: I, too, do not like or subscribe to Leonard Pitts’ take on the world and, in my opinion, he is as much a bigot as Archie Bunker. I, however, just don’t read his dribble any more. As far as all of us white folk living the good life in Oregon, I got here along with I am sure a lot of other white folks by working hard in the same job for 34 years, saving money and not making poor choices. My whiteness, or white privilege, as some would claim, had no bearing on my success, just hard, consistent work. Cliff Geddis Trail Socialism done right This year there will be emphasis on Bernie Sanders' sobriquet "socialist." After living for 80 years on this earth, I am amazed at the misunderstandings. I have written a book, "Socialism is not a Dirty Word," only a 20-minute read. I challenge the use of the word by many organizations that were not socialist. I also share my experience, as a child, of the change to socialism in Great Britain by Clement Attlee. Done right, it really can be a good thing. My book is published on e-reader at www.amazon.com . I think this is a time to share my experience. Noreen Hulteen Ashland Raise the minimum It is time for Oregon to make a change. We need to raise the minimum wage for all workers in Oregon. Oregon recently showed an increase in high school graduation rates. The one area that consistently shows the lowest graduation rates are students who live in poverty. Many of these children come from families where one or both parents are working full-time, low-wage jobs. I have heard many say if they just worked harder or got a degree they wouldn't have to struggle so much. You can't go to school without the money to pay for tuition and fees. Getting yourself ahead takes more money than you can earn. You have to have more then just rent and utilities. We need our state legislators to step up and make sure that we get a chance to make a living wage. We need to support farm workers who put food on our tables. We need to support hospitality workers who serve visitors that come to Oregon. The next time you go through the drive-up window, look around and see how many workers are multi-tasking to get you your order. Raise the wage in Oregon. Margaret Eklund Medford MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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