$20 billion in EDD fraud shows why we need Lanhee Chen as California's controller
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The recent report that California's Employment Development Department paid out over $20 billion in fraudulent claims is infuriating but is sadly par for the course. As other taxpayers know, the hard-earned dollars we pony up are seldom used as advertised. Billions went to a high-speed rail line that won’t serve a single rider until at least 2030 — if ever. We pay dearly at the pump, yet the gas tax keeps rising while our roads deteriorate.
While so many suffered the harsh impacts of COVID, our “leaders” tossed $20 billion out the window!
The state never turned off the spigot to fake accounts because the one-party monopoly in Sacramento is accountable to no one. While I appreciate the media’s efforts to uncover the rampant fraud, we need someone in government to stop it at the source.
Come November, I’ll be voting for Lanhee Chen because I know that he has the ability and the will to protect our tax dollars. As controller, Lanhee will not determine how the money is spent — that will remain with our legislators and the governor — but he will make sure that it doesn’t go into the pockets of fraudsters and political cronies.
Roger Barris, Rancho Mirage
Social media is eroding our democracy
Before social media, there were many unpatriotic, seditious, crazies in the USA who could spew their venomous rhetoric via obscure radio stations or rallies with their ilk. What happened to enlarge their ranks and cause us to live in a dangerous, divided America?
The advent of social media provided these treasonous miscreants with a voice to millions and has succeeded to a large extent in reshaping the American electorate.
The social media companies, hiding behind the First Amendment, have done little to curb these posts and their authors from spreading misinformation, hate, violence, division and lies supporting an agenda that seeks to destroy our democracy. Yet they fail to articulate what would replace democracy other than authoritarianism that would undo 95 years of social progress when FDR's New Deal was introduced.
If you like your social security benefits or medicare, be careful: These thieves are intent on eliminating them.
Congress must find a way to control the hate posts on social media. I wish I knew how, but smarter people than I will hopefully solve the problem.
Stan Sanoff, Palm Desert
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: $20 billion in EDD fraud? We need Lanhee Chen as California controller
