Marin IJ Readers Forum March 3, 2022 – Marin Independent Journal

Expand Universal Basic Income Program to Marin

News reports on a recent survey found that seven out of 10 Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.

Considering we live in a county where some elected officials earn high salaries — where house prices and rents are more exorbitant than ever, I think Marin’s proposed $18 wage order and job training aren’t enough ( “Marin County Unveils New Racial Equity Plan”, February 13). In fact, it’s quite humiliating.

While I agree with parts of Marin’s racial equity plan, it needs to do more to address the huge disparities in wealth and asset holdings among county residents. Although under what pretexts could be debated, I think we need to expand Marin’s universal basic income program and scale it with inflation.

To me, like housing the homeless, it’s the morally right thing to do. Basic income explains levels of inequality based on discriminatory housing policies, which have historically benefited white Americans. While not a solution in itself, we should expand programs like this across the county. Repairs are needed to trigger any kind of structural change. This is what we need the most.

—Paul Gray, Kentfield

San Rafael desperately needs more housing

I am writing to you regarding the recently released letter from Robert Casper Sr. regarding newly approved housing at Terra Linda.

I think Casper should familiarize himself with the neighborhoods beyond Terra Linda. Everyone should realize that there are parts of San Rafael where two or more families live per apartment. In some cases, there may be more than 10 people sleeping in a small apartment.

San Rafael needs more affordable housing to provide housing for people who already live in San Rafael.

—Gladys C. Gilliland, San Rafael

Allowing Venezuela to sell oil would hurt Russia

I am writing to you regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. If we want to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin and his tanks, the United States should extinguish his “manna of war”. Cut Russian gas pipelines and release the largest oil reserve on the planet. We should lift Venezuela’s cruel, senseless and unjustified embargo.

Venezuela is capable of pumping 2 million barrels of oil per day for export. If President Joe Biden announces the end of the embargo, the price of oil will plunge immediately. However, decisions in the United States and Europe have besieged Venezuela, shutting down everything from food to spare parts supplies to get its oil industry back up and running.

If we stop suffocating Venezuela’s economy and starving Venezuelans, who are not America’s enemies (they haven’t invaded anyone), then the price of oil will crash.

The Biden administration continues to pursue former President Donald Trump’s insane embargo on Venezuela. The embargo was triggered by Venezuela’s insistence on regaining control of its oil industry. The excuse I hear from Republicans and Democrats is that Venezuela is not a democratic state, but neither are Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Qatar or Russia. I find it fascinating that the European Union is blocking oil from Venezuela, while continuing to take oil from Russia.

—Ron Ford, Santa Venetia

Reduce the need for Russian oil, gas would help

Before World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt imposed an oil and scrap embargo on the Japanese for their atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre. Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin is launching a war against Ukraine, seemingly simply because he can.

Sanctions against the Russians are supposed to take place, except for one. US leaders are expected to reopen oil and gas production lines shut down by President Joe Biden. This should be done at the earliest opportunity. This should include the reopening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Keystone Pipelines. In addition, Germany should reopen the three nuclear power plants it recently closed. That would make him less likely to need Russian gas. The United States should seek to supply its NATO allies with liquid natural gas instead of Russian gas.

Lowering the price of Russia’s main natural resource will hurt them far more than any other sanction. For now, people worried about global warming should stop and think about how many degrees the temperature could be raised by an all-out war in Ukraine.

—Rick Johnson, Novato