To the editor:

Let me see if I have this straight.

Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher, stated that he only believes in the State Government, not the Federal Government. He could have grazed his cows on state land for $16.80 a month per cow and calf pair, or put them on federal land for $1.35 per cow and calf.

But, after 20 years on Federal land he refused to pay his assessment; because he doesn’t recognize the existence of the Federal Government.

Political analysts and politicians such as Rick Perry, Rand Paul, Sean Hannity, and others lined up to support him, claiming his right to “freedom,” until he started saying that perhaps the “Negro” might have been better off as a family unit if he had stayed a slave picking cotton. Never mind that a slave was property, had no legal rights could not marry and could be sold at any time. Suddenly, those same political supporters began to back peddle as fast as they could. As Ben Franklin said: “He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.”

I have some questions for Mr. Bundy. Does he put his money in a federally insured bank, use the interstate highway system to move his cattle to market, get a flu vaccine, buy pasteurized milk to prevent undulant fever, buy inspected pork to avoid trichinosis, breathe clear air, drink pure water,drive a car with air bags and seat belts, use satellites for telephone calls and television viewing, use electricity from the national grid, use the railroads to transport his cattle, or fly in a plane? Does he believe that our Federal Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are there to protect his “freedom”?

In these and hundreds of other ways the federal government sees to it that the lives of Americans are made easier and safer. Civil disobedience has its place, but not here.

Elizabeth Keranen

Bakersfield