Page One

The blame game

Joseph Matossian Berkeley
Friday November 01, 2002

To the Editor: 

 

Two letters written by two well-meaning Berkeley residents (Forum, Oct.18) caught my attention. Incidentally, myself and probably many others, share most of the points made by the respective writers. 

Mr. Frank Gebauer blames “landlords and those lucky enough to already own a home” for the congestion and pollution on College Avenue. I suggest that he not blame landlords, but instead that he direct his frustration toward tenants and homeowners who live in those areas. Berkeley landlords are already blamed for everything. 

Ms. Judith Segard Hunt blames Proposition 13 for causing “damage to vital social services.” I suggest that, rather than merely blame Proposition 13 and suggest its repeal, she should mobilize her peers around legislation to fund social services from income taxes, rather than from the limited incomes of the retired. This would enable social services to be more adequately financed and property owners would not be disproportionately burdened. 

 

Joseph Matossian 

Berkeley