Dear Editor,

I am appalled that you interviewed Mr. Ruben Alvarez regarding charreadas. Mr. Alvarez has NO clue what charreadas are. Alvarez is simply a PROMOTER at Rancho Grande in Morgan Hill, whose interest is simply financial in nature.

For those of you who have never participated at one of Alvarez's "family events," they consist of live Mexican bands, bull riding, and large groups of inebriated individuals which result in fights amongst the patrons. Additionally, the style of bull riding held at Rancho Grande has nothing to do with the charreria. Furthermore, Alvarez has NEVER supported the charreria and for clarification, the type of event held at Rancho Grande is a "jaripeo."

Perhaps, during a subsequent interview (regarding his events, not charreria) with Alvarez can enlighten you as to the definition of a "jaripeo." I have been personally involved in the charreria for over 20 years within the state of California. Having been a participant in the sport, I know the only charreradas ever held at Rancho Grande were supported and sponsored by the late Mr. Adolfo Pena.

Moreover, for Mr. Alvarez to say, "I think it's a part of the Latin culture," it is rather obvious he has NO knowledge of the sport let alone the history. Alvarez should be embarrassed to make such ridiculous comments. I know firsthand Mr. Alvarez has NEVER supported the charreria nor has he ever sponsored such an event at Rancho Grande.

I digress, I guess before one begins an article regarding the charreria, maybe some research might be a good start. Charrousa.com is one.

One who has KNOWLEDGE of the charreria,

Mariza Olmos, Gilroy

Think: The county, the state and the country are all drowning in debt

Dear Editor,

Dale Morejon relates socialized medicine to police and fire "protection," education, libraries, Medicare and Social Security, proclaiming these to be fights "by all societal standards." By what authority he has set these "standards" he does not say. It is curious that he leaves out public housing and public transportation from this list, we all know how wonderful housing projects and county transit are.

Forty percent of the 2006-'07 city budget ($17,579,527 of $44,585,234) goes to the police department. That does not include the $26 million Bastille (eyesore) they just built. And some claim they need even more police (using the usual scare tactic about how crime is up). More than half the arrests I read in the paper are victimless "crimes." The state legislature passes piles of laws every session, and prisons and jails continue to be built and filled.

Does anyone else see the tailspin here? That's how "public safety" justifies its existence. By protecting us from ourselves!

The library supporters want a big new building, even though our property tax already contains two additional taxes. One says "co library retirement" at a rate of 0.00240 of assessed value and the other is a "county library" parcel tax of $33.66. And for what, to expand the after-school day care center? Myself, I used to like to borrow CDs and DVDs, but more than 90 percent of the ones I checked out are too damaged or vandalized to play, which is unfortunately typical of public property. (Would public health care be any different?)

The pyramid scheme (Social Security) and Medicare were supported to supplement one's retirement, not be the entire pension. But with the government (the body that Mr. Morejon wants to run out health care system) regularly "borrowing" (stealing) from it for nearly 40 years (eight presidencies and 20 congresses) and creating the culture of dependency (public programs for everything), the Band-Aids will soon cease to stop the bleeding.

To fund all of the above ruins, we pay at least 47 percent of our income (when considering every level of taxes) to the government, only so it can continue its irresponsibility and increase its power. Private companies and individuals cannot do that; a little thing called bankruptcy prevents it. (But the government needs only to raise the "debt ceiling." Don't you wish you could do that? That is why both education and Social Security should be privatized, and Medicare should be abolished. (Have you noticed on your paycheck how the Medicare robbery regularly increases?)

Think about it: The county, the state and the country are all drowning in debt due to nearly two generations of mismanagement, and a vocal minority want the government to take over (and subsequently downgrade) health care (by calling it a "right").

They should all move to Canada, Europe or another nanny state of their choice, where they can pay more than 70 percent of their income in taxes and receive low-quality, rationalized medical care. If you doubt it, look no further than public transportation and public housing.

Alan Viarengo, Gilroy