Letters to the Editor - August 6, 2008

From staff reports

Published: August 6, 2008

The war is over?
The July 17 editorial, “McCain can use a Struggling Economy to Beat Obama,” cannot pass without comment. Several of the claims made in this editorial, most of which had little to do with the article’s title, were quite absurd.
First, with so many important issues to grapple with, why should the corporate tax rate be lowered at a time when CEOs are earning world record salaries (up to 20 times that of CEOs in comparable countries, and several hundred times that of the average U.S. worker), corporate crime is becoming routine news (remember Enron, Tyco and the current subprime mortgage crisis?), and corporate welfare is at an all time high.
The reckless losses accumulated by bankers and developers will now be paid for by each and every taxpayer — perhaps to the tune of $500 billion. Taxpayer money has literally evaporated in the hands of our military-industrial complex, Haliburton’s unaccounted for millions in Iraq being one excellent example. Taxpayers are subsidizing corporations to such an extent that the suggestion of tax breaks at this time is outlandish. Also, corporations have unprecedented power and influence in Washington, yet adjusted for inflation, average wages are lower now than 30 years ago. I seriously doubt decreasing the corporate tax rate would lead to benefits for the workers. Most likely any gains would be channeled right back into the already excessive salaries of the upper echelons.
Secondly, reinstating the pre-Bush tax rate to the wealthiest 5 percent is not the same as raising taxes. Never in our history have the wealthy been taxed so little (I believe it was Warren Buffet who complained his secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does). Dick Cheney pocketed an extra $160,000 the first year of Bush’s tax reduction. These reductions translate into higher debt, while depriving the country of the necessary money for infrastructure and community services. It would be nice to know that if this area were ever hit by another hurricane, the response would be better than in New Orleans.
The ultimate claim, though, was that “we would have won the war in 2004 instead of this year … .” My jaw dropped at that one. My husband’s comment: “Shouldn’t someone tell the troops?”
I wish you would be more selective when choosing editorials, or at the very least present both sides of an issue. Readers cannot be expected to make good decisions if armed with fantasy rather than facts.
Deborah Baker
Shipman

A county asset
In response to Mary M. Nash’s July 31 letter to the editor, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my experience with an Amherst County government employee. Prior to moving here in September 2007, I e-mailed Teresa Nuckols, director of the Solid Waste Department, with questions about garbage collection. Within a day, I received a response plus much extra information about the county.
While I do not discount Ms. Nash’s experiences with government employees, I do know that there are exceptions. Ms. Nuckols should be commended, as she is an asset to Amherst County.
Gregory Davis
Elon

A great help
I love my little town of Amherst. I have been in Virginia since 1982 and now live on Gidsville Road and have now for the past 10 years, which I love very much.
July 31 was a great reminder of the beauty, sense of community and fellowship a small hometown can provide.
I had some financial needs and was in need of help and guidance. I stopped into Amherst Mortgage Atlantic, Inc. on Main Street and was met by Sherry who was warm and hospitable. The office was very bright, inviting and very professional. Sherry was very knowledgeable and extremely proficient in her skills to truly assist me. Her spirit to aid in my future needs was shown by the quality and quantity of time given to me. She took so much time, engaged in the finest of details to and really wanted to see me in a successful state. I love the personal and professional approach Sherry gave to me.
The kindness Sherry and her staff showed me opened my eyes again to really see why I love Amherst County.
Ruth Ann Warner-Bushey
Gidsville