0213Bring This to the Forefront

Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL

Having followed all the widespread and intense discussions of the national Second Amendment/gun control follow-up to the Newtown tragedy, I keep hoping that Mayor Bloomberg’s argument would come to the forefront. It has stuck in my mind and I keep waiting for police departments nationwide to clamor about it.

The Mayor of New York said that he is tired to death of going to funerals for policemen. He pointed out that the armor-piercing bullets that should have been outlawed long ago are especially meant to pierce the armor worn by soldiers, but in daily life, worn by police!

How many times do we dutifully repeat our commitment to our local police and first responders, etc? Yes, we are vigilant about abuse by those in power, but in general, do we teach our children to honor and respect our policemen? Then, we have to make our voices heard in this absolutely necessary discussion of stopping the sale of military style guns and ammunition with clips, with this especially important sale of armor-piercing bullets meant for policemen.

Yes, we do support the rights of hunters, target shooters, and those wanting to protect themselves and their property with guns of their own. But that is not what is at question here.

Cars Don’t Kill People …

Ed. Klein, Peoria, IL

First they made us buy a license for our cars. Then, in order to drive them, we needed a driver’s license. Following that, some cities imposed a wheel tax (remember those?) Proper lighting equipment was a necessity. (A tail or headlight out could mean a fine.) Then the insurance industry received a windfall when it became illegal to drive without at least liability coverage. Soon catalytic convertors were mandatory, as were mufflers that reduced engine noise to a required minimum. And you didn’t dare tamper with the pollution control devices under a penalty of $10,000. Seat belts and air bags came along, as did turn signals and the ever present speed laws. Much of that agendum required state inspection, and if any failed to meet standards, get ‘em fixed or stop driving until they were.

Of course there were protests by the motoring public, who had no constitutional amendment on which to base their displeasure … a displeasure based primarily on the inconvenience and added expense many of these restrictions would cause. But having been around since the ‘20s, I can’t recall for the life of me hearing anyone screeching about the government wanting to take our cars away from us. Or threatening those lawmakers involved, or finding those requirements so onerous that seceding from the union could become necessary.

Our love affair with the car far outweighs our love affair with the gun, and unlike gun lovers, car lovers, as I pointed out, have no constitutional amendment to protect their rights. The ownership and operation of a car are controlled to ensure the safety of both the public and the driver, not to restrict auto ownership or confiscate our cars. The same applies to the ownership of guns. The point to understand is control, not confiscation.

Only good guys with cars can stop bad guys with cars. So now, let’s talk about lease laws for our pets!

Fair and Simple

Kathy Lynch

Oak Ridge, NC

The Fair Tax Act, a nonpartisan bill sponsored by Representative John Linder (GA) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), removes the burden of the income tax and other federal income-based taxes. Your Congressman Aaron Schock [IL-18] is a member of the US House Ways and Means committee where all changes in tax law must be initiated.

The current tax system is incomprehensible. It is beyond reform. It simply has to go.

The Fair Tax Act is the most promising plan to “fix’ the economy:

•Allows Americans to keep 100 percent of their paychecks, pensions, and Social Security payments and replaces the current system.

•Allows families to save more for home ownership, education, and retirement.

•Raises the same amount of money for the federal government, and unlike our current system, is truly “Fair”.

•Makes American products more competitive overseas.

Please learn more about this amazingly straightforward, open, and fair proposal at www.fairtax.org or 1-800-FAIRTAX. You can make a huge difference by contacting your congressman and asking them to support the Fair Tax!

The Fair Tax Idea

Glen E. Terrell, Arlington, TX

The FairTax is an idea whose time has come. The congress, both House and Senate, both republicans and democrats, has demonstrated time after time, they are unable to restrain themselves with the public purse. This renders them “unfit to govern.” Even the “fiscal crises” legislation passed by the current congress had enough pork in it to add $74 billion MORE to the deficit. The spend thrift, power hungry, self serving congress must be denied the tool of its folly; the income tax. A solution has been languishing before congress for over 10 years. It’s called the FairTax.

If adopted, the FairTax would replace the income tax, repeal the 16th amendment which enabled it and annihilate the IRS. In the first year following its adoption, America would experience an unprecedented period of econometric growth and thousands and thousands of NEW, GOOD JOBS would be created.

The process leading to adoption of the FairTax MUST BEGIN in the House Ways and Means committee. Your congressman, Mr. Aaron Schock, is a member of that committee. Contact him and insist the FairTax proposal be brought before the committee for discussion and vote. If enough of his constituents demand it, he will do it!

The FairTax!

Peter Tverdov

Hamilton, NJ

With the start of the 113th Congress there is an opportunity for Washington to implement changes to improve the economic standing of our country. While Republicans and Democrats recycle stale ideas that ultimately boils down to government expansion and a loss of freedom, there is a much better solution to our tax and economic problems. Known as H.R. 25,FairTax allows you to keep your entire paycheck, abolishes the IRS, abolishes federal income tax (and several other taxes) and replaces it with a revenue neutral 23% national retail sales tax on all new consumed goods. Fairtax puts the breaks on political demagoguery as well as tax breaks to special interest groups that donate to political campaigns. It gets revenue from the underground economy and illegal immigrants, all while being more reliable than an income tax.

Representative Aaron Schock is a member of the House Ways and Means committee. This committee must initiate all changes in tax laws. I ask that you urge Representative Schock to endorse the FairTax by contacting him through social media, email and phone.

The FairTax is a viable option to a broken and failed federal income tax system that has done nothing but bloat the size of government and divide our country by classes. It has put a strain on job growth, entrepreneurship and economic stability. This all can be eliminated with the passage of the FairTax! Editorial Page.doc0213 Editorial Page.doc