The results have been declining financial incentives to develop and produce vaccines

The result of Clinton’s program was that the government, instead of the doctors, became the direct Rosetta Stone purchasers of most children’s vaccines. Basically, the government was controlling the price to the drug manufacturers, and it was below the cost, so many manufacturers were forced out of business. Thirty years ago, there were 25 companies that produced vaccines. Today, there are only five. That has caused a serious shortage; we now have the evidence of these shortages with H1N1 vaccine. Do you want the government handling your healthcare? This should not be a partisan issue. It should be about you and your family’s right to decide what kind of care you want, not somebody in Washington.We can’t change history.— Kenneth Manzer, CamarilloFight water-rate hikeRe: your Nov. 3 article, “Moorpark-area water rates likely to increase 16%”:I want to thank The Star for the Page 6, Section A, story regarding the water rate hikes that will happen in Moorpark unless we act together. I only wish The Star had chosen to carry the story on Page 1. It is that important.Let me get this right. Because the Ventura County Waterworks District was in such dire straits earlier this year, we were forced to ration our water use by a minimum of 15 percent. Where were all the hydrology experts at the district and the municipalities when the environmental impact studies were being conducted and certified prior to all the development? They were obviously sleeping or they did not care that there was not enough water to supply their customers. Development equates to Rosetta Stone Chinese tax revenue.We did such a great job conserving water this summer that the district’s revenue stream has been affected. Therefore, the district must now retaliate by increasing the rates again to make up the difference. How disingenuous is that? As the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.I would suggest that, along with our rate hikes, the water district be forced to reduce its operating budget by 31 percent — 15 percent for January 2009 and 16 percent for January 2010. Additionally, the district should be required to reduce its profit margin Rosetta Stone French by the same 31 percent.In any event, everyone should write letters of protest to the district at: Ventura County Clerk of the Board, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009. They should also plan on attending the public hearing Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers at Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. [Rosetta Stone] If more than half of the district’s customers object in writing, the district will be forced to cancel the current proposed rate hike.This could be another tea-party moment.