Priceless

I watched as the helicopters and planes swooped in, and put out the fire in the Buckeye Canyon. It always amazes me how efficient they are, how quick they put out the blaze.

And, when I think about it a little, how expensive! Planes and helicopters operate for hundreds of dollars an hour, and the fire suppression chemicals they carry are not cheap.

And then there is Jim Nielsen, our carpetbagger Assemblyman. His op ed piece, in the June 20 edition, was at first somewhat of an analysis of proposed tax code changes that might be considered, somewhat well delivered. And then came the finale.

The last two paragraphs used at least five stereotypes and slogans, to push the hot buttons of our local conservative government haters.

Typical of right wing conservatives, Nielsen used lies, stereotypes and emotional images to depict government as "micromanaging business"; "targeting taxpayers"; "out of control state government"; and accuses government of "putting bulls eyes on the back of taxpayers".

Meanwhile, temperatures are once again setting records throughout the west, Colorado is burning, New Mexico is burning, and we are next.

And Nielsen and his gang, want no taxes, no services, and let the Good Lord take care of the fires. In fact, the $150 (about $12 a month) state fire fee, being charged to property owners living on top of tinder dry forests, to provide those life-saving helicopters and planes, is seen as the devil himself. The Jarvis boys are helping overturn that.

Cities, counties and the state are cutting everywhere. Crime is rising due to police cuts. Firemen will soon be overwhelmed with wildfires that global warming is causing, and Nielsen worries about targets on the backs of taxpayers. So let's cut that too, and let the fires burn from Buckeye to Bonneyview.

Priceless!