Re: Don't Americans think health care should take priority over tax cuts?, April 27.
I enjoy the frequent musings of Paul Krugman in the St. Petersburg Times. One would imagine that the opinions of a not-so-keen-on-capitalism economist living in the United States would be entertaining, and indeed they are. His column last Sunday on "tax cuts" (assuming he is referring to decreasing the marginal tax rates), is especially entertaining.
In this article he states that "there's not a shred of evidence" supporting the claim that decreased tax burdens for high earners spur economic growth, or that Jack Kemp's statement that "a rising tide lifts all boats" is true. He apparently subscribes to the zero-sum philosophy that the higher the rates, the more revenue the government receives. The "tax cuts" from the Kennedy presidency in the '60s and the Reagan presidency in the '80s prove him wrong.
For example, receipts increased during the Reagan years from $517-billion in 1980 to $909-billion in 1988 after reduction of the marginal rate from 70 percent to 28 percent, all due to a robust and growing economy resulting from re-investment of funds not confiscated by the government, and by creation of new jobs. "Ordinary workers" benefited relatively more than the wealthy, who continued to shoulder most of the tax burden. Unfortunately, unbridled spending by Congress increased the deficit through 1986, at which time the deficit began to decrease purely on the strength of a vibrant economy until President George H.W. Bush broke his promise about "no new taxes" in 1990. These numbers are all available through the Office of Management and Budget, Congressional Budget Office, and Bureau of the Census for those who are skeptics.
In spite of what Krugman would like to believe, supply-side economics really works, even though not being fully implemented from the aspect of reduced spending. Krugman describes himself as an economist and a New York Times columnist, but it seems that he is not very good at either. However, as an iconoclast, he is second to none, and I will continue to look forward to reading his jeremiads against the free market.
-- John H. West, Indian Shores
Odd choices
Re: Will a Khomeini arise from the ashes of Iraq? April 27.
I am at a loss to understand the editorial decisions on last Sunday's Perspective section that featured a large article on a Las Vegas gambling tournament starting on Page 1, and relegated to Page 7 an article on the major problems we now face in Iraq.
I will concede that the information provided in the first article would be helpful to anyone who is planning to compete in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. On the other hand, from my own naive perspective, I believe that your readers would be better served by considering the informative and insightful analysis provided by Dilip Hiro (Will a Khomeini arise from the ashes of Iraq?) as our country now turns its attention to dealing with postwar Iraq.
I understand the need to put this "unpleasantness" behind us, but the World Series of Poker as a diversion? This from a newspaper that is vigorously opposed to state-controlled casino gambling? Politics in Florida gets curiouser and curiouser.
-- Jack Sandler, Tampa
Spoils system
The seventh American president, Andrew Jackson, is credited with being the godfather of the political "spoils system" in this country. But old Andy Jackson was only an amateur compared to the current occupant of the White House.
The previously let contracts with cronies and insiders with blatant ties to big business for rehabilitation of Iraq were accomplished without competitive bidding, showing an arrogant disregard for the public interest.
-- Morison Buck, Tampa
Reaping the whirlwind
The mess in the Tallahassee Legislature was predictable. A few years ago, Florida voters decided that "term limits" would solve the problems of the Legislature. Now we reap the whirlwind. Newcomers have replaced the senators and representatives who had the experience to handle the tough problems facing the state.
Let's go back to the first plan, where experience was considered to be an asset, not a liability.
-- Nelson R. Eldred, Tampa
Test 'em in Tallahassee
Re: A college FCAT? The debate begins, May 1.
Perhaps the Florida Board of Governors should be reminded that many who graduate from accredited junior and community colleges in Florida must pass the CLAST exam. Once the students are at a four-year university, many major programs require them to pass an exam to gain admittance and a final exam to graduate.
Personally, I'm for a Tallahassee FCAT. This way we could take money from underperforming officials.
-- Frank Vazzano, St. Petersburg
Will they pass?
We have to test our children in the early grades to see if they are learning anything. Then we test our high school students to see if they have learned anything. Now we just might test our college students to see if they learn anything.
How come we don't have a test for our legislators to see what they have learned?
-- Doug Martin, Largo
Silence isn't golden
Re: Drawing on the power of words, by Jeff Klinkenberg, April 27.
We are accustomed to the sensitivity of Times staff writer Jeff Klinkenberg's columns on our environment. His insight regarding prejudice is equally moving.
Klinkenberg's response to a young man's needless and offensive anti-Semitic remark was most appropriate. It brings to mind a bit of doggerel:
There is so much good in the
worst of us,
So much bad in the best of us,
That it scarcely behooves any
of us
To talk about the rest of us.
Klinkenberg followed the advice of Gordon Allport, author of The Nature of Prejudice. Allport suggests that prejudiced remarks must be denounced, otherwise our response might be misconstrued as approval. Klinkenberg's strategy of having both he and the offender visit the fine Florida Holocaust Museum was wise. The result of bringing out the good in the prejudiced young man was heartwarming. Our thanks to Jeff Klinkenberg for this fine lesson. Remember in the face of prejudice, silence is not golden!
-- Norman N. Gross, chairperson, Anti-Hate Committee Greater Florida B'nai B'rith, Palm Harbor
Making a difference
Re: Drawing on the power of words, April 27.
This recent article was a profound work. I admire Jeff Klinkenberg's courage and sense of humanity. Imagine how much better our community, and the world, might be if each of us reached out to just one person the way Klinkenberg did with Tommy Mandzik.
Through his actions and his words Klinkenberg has demonstrated how we can each make a difference, one person at a time - an outstanding achievement!
-- Geoffrey A. Simon, Tampa
Many thanks
Re: Drawing on the power of words.
I want to thank Jeff Klinkenberg for walking back into that restaurant and for speaking up when he was confronted with an expression of bigotry. Thank you for giving someone a clear and specific opportunity to heal a wound. Thank you for reminding us just how frequently and powerfully stereotypes blind us.
And thank you for sharing it all with your readers in such a well-written and moving article.
-- Jeremy S. Gaies, Tampa
Not at ease with a sneeze
Re: At issue - germs.
I grew up near London in World War II, a time when buses and trains carried slogans to help the war effort. One slogan I recall was: Coughs and sneezes spread diseases. Trap the germs in your handkerchief. The admonition seems just as relevant today.
How SARS is spread is at issue, or perhaps I should say att-ishoo. Indiscriminate sneezing is not something to be, well, sneezed at.
I realize that the generous "Bless you" offered to a sneezer is rooted in ancient folklore and devils, but it is definitely not appropriate in today's environment.
