Governor’s green efforts mistaken
The article “Schwarzenegger signs environmental pact” (News, June 1) reported on the governor’s recent pact with the Premier of British Columbia to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.”
This move is the most recent of many the governor has made showing that he thinks big-government legislation helps solve problems.
Let me clarify something about the conservative viewpoint on global warming.
While we frequently dismiss man-made global warming as a myth spread by modern-day hippies who just want tax dollars for their pet projects, what we are ultimately against are state subsidies or taxes and other interference in the free market.
Conveniently, the free market has already chosen to implement low carbon dioxide emission products and methods.
Being “green” can actually be cheaper than the other options and is becoming fashionable.
Hybrid cars, halogen light bulbs, solar water heaters and even those decomposable shopping bags you can purchase and receive a discount for using at Ralph’s are popular and are less expensive in the long run.
Similarly, businesses are realizing that many environmentally friendly products and methods ““ from green office buildings to natural gas vans ““ gain them respect among consumers.
In turn, this helps them sell their products and ultimately saves them money without the need for government subsidies.
We don’t need low-carbon products and manufacturing methods forced down our throats by a governor who just wants to gain popularity among a population that has been swindled into thinking that government regulation can do things better than common business sense.
Jimmy Dunn
Secretary, Bruin Republicans
Third-year, physics
Loan guidelines too late for students
In the article “Rules target university loans,” (News, June 4) it states that the Federal Department of Education released new guidelines regarding student loan-lender relationships and the amount of information released for preferred-lender lists.
Unfortunately, these guidelines are a day late and a dollar short.
Months ago, students took part in the negotiation of the rule-making process.
Nonetheless, the Department of Education did not implement the students’ recommendations.
Even though the department was aware of misconduct, it was not until New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo blew the lid off the issue that the Department of Education finally took notice.
University systems across the country have implemented their own codes of conduct and even Congress has begun regulating these vital issues.
Releasing the guidelines so late in the process shows the lack of prioritization the Department of Education has for students. I hope they learn from their mistakes and begin to integrate students in their decisions.
Greg Cendana
Board of Directors, United States Student Association
Third-year, sociology, labor and workplace studies and Asian American studies