Letters to the Editor, Cont’d, for June 13

More Education Leads To Better Jobs
Editor, Times-Dispatch: With the news that the jobless rate recently jumped to a 25-year high of 9.4 percent, the time is right to remind those affected of the advantages of going back to school.

Times have changed, and our area is fortunate to have rich and diverse educational opportunities that can help people meet those changes and lead directly back into the workplace -- in many cases in better jobs.

As admissions director for Bryant and Stratton College -- a regionally accredited private career college -- I can vouch for the fact that many laid-off or unemployed people are doing just that.

For the past three semesters, we have witnessed record enrollment increases, mostly fueled by the highly competitive job market. We are meeting that demand with curricula that are all about training for high-demand careers in the shortest time possible. And we are seeing success with that approach.

So I urge individuals who find themselves jobless to find out about the offerings of institutions of higher learning -- large and small, public and private -- which we are fortunate to have as neighbors in Metro Richmond.

Despite the negative headlines, ample financial aid is available, as well as additional benefits, including career counseling, internships, and job-placement assistance at many schools. More education can be one of the best things a person can consider.

As our president said earlier this year in a speech to congressional joint session: "A good education is no longer a pathway to opportunity, it's a prerequisite."

David Mayle.
Richmond.

Most Virginians would be surprised to learn that, because of commission-approved fees hidden in long distance bills, this year Virginia consumers will be contributing some $28 million to Embarq, a $6 billion Fortune 500 telephone company serving portions of 18 states -- including, here in Virginia, areas in and around Charlottesville, Ashland, and Southwest Virginia. Likewise, most Virginians would be surprised to learn they pay those hidden fees any time they make an in-state long-distance call, regardless of whether they ever place a call to or receive a call from anyone served by Embarq.

And, I suspect, most Virginians would be very upset to learn they are being saddled with this $28 million subsidy obligation just so Embarq's Virginia customers can enjoy lower telephone bills than nearly everyone else in the commonwealth. That is just not right.

In today's world, where traditional long-distance service competes against e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, wireless service, and other new technologies, the old monopoly-era cross-subsidy system cannot be sustained. The answer, as a growing number of other states are finding -- at least 22, so far -- is to reduce and remove the subsidy burdens being imposed on traditional long-distance services.

A few years ago the SCC directed Verizon to reduce its reliance on long-distance subsidies, and Verizon has followed through. So far, however, the commission is letting Embarq keep most of its subsidies in place. The commission may think it is doing Embarq's customers a favor, but granting that favor penalizes everyone else in Virginia. That is neither appropriate, nor fair, and needs to change as soon as possible. J. Michael Schweder, President, AT&T Mid-Atlantic Region.


Oakton.

Restaurant Smoking Ban Is Still Unconstitutional
Editor, Times-Dispatch: The debate about the smoking ban in restaurants has overlooked an important aspect. It's not an issue of public health, nor is it an issue of the state providing for the general welfare of the citizens. It is simply a power grab by Gov. Tim Kaine and his minions as they try to keep in lockstep with the federal trend toward government control of businesses.

Before the ban on smoking in restaurants passed, we witnessed a growth of non-smoking restaurants in the Richmond area. These entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to capitalize on the demand for non-smoking restaurants and invested capital in an attempt to profit from this demand. No sooner had they completed their endeavors than Virginia decided to force this business model on all of their competitors. This essentially put a stranglehold on any chance that the free market could address the issue.

This makes sense seeing as the Democrats no longer try to hide fact that they think Americans are too stupid to run their own lives. I suggest that all restaurant owners sue the state of Virginia. The smoking ban is blatantly unconstitutional and it interferes with business.

Kevin Dill.
Richmond.