Only one politician is looking out for everyone

Re <URL destination="http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinion/20170213/who-speaks-for-you-in-todays-politics-question-of-the-week">“Who speaks for you in today’s politics?” (Question of the Week, Feb. 14):

</URL>It seems to me that almost all politicians, political commentators and entertainers (who often are less politically informed than a 10th grader) are primarily interested in advancing their own vain political desires, and appeal to the public to accept their personal pleas.

I have no confidence at all in delusional Donald Trump or any of his flunkies, or Republicans in Congress, to try to improve our society.

Rather, I expect Trump’s regime to accelerate the decline of working Americans that Ronald Reagan started with his deregulation of industry and his “voodoo” economics. We had a chance to elect one person who actually works for middle-class Americans, but chose, instead, to make a choice between an egotist, Hillary Clinton, and a pathologically malignant narcissist who has displayed over and over again his true, distorted personality, Trump, and voters chose the latter to be president.

For me, the only person with any national attention who has my prosperity in mind, and that of our nation and society, is Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. I have supported his views ever since I first came to know of him several years ago. I had those views myself many years before that. So, the one person with a national voice who speaks for the same agenda as mine is Bernie Sanders.

— Walt Haddock, San Gabriel

Water management will shape L.A. County’s future

So many of our resources have fallen victim to deferred maintenance and the “if it ain’t broke” mindset. Too many of our representatives do not show a determination that goes beyond their election cycle. Too many of our residents do not understand what needs to be done. Neither do they have the historical perspective to know what Southern California was like before significant projects gave them the water that they take for granted.

While dams are largely passive projects, they do require continuous inspection and non-deferred repair. Despite the rain that is falling as I write this, we are far from out of the hole as to our drought crisis. We need to enhance our storage capabilities both at ground and below ground. Water management will be possibly the single most important governmental issue that can determine the continued growth or eventual stagnation of Los Angeles County.

— Harvey Cordner, Pasadena