
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 27, 1994                   TAG: 9404280009
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

LAND OF THE FREE; HOME OF THE IRS

AS I AROSE the morning of April 15 to greet the annual day of shame known as tax day, I was glad I'd paid the county taxes on my home so I could continue to own it. As I consumed breakfast, upon which I had paid the state sales tax, I was struck by the thought that what I was eating was approved and inspected by the government. The medication I took was likewise approved by the same government, which took 10 years to do it in its usual efficient way.

The newspaper I read reminded me of all the other wonderful things these bunglers were doing with my money, like with crime bills restricting law-abiding people. I also read that more gun control was coming so our criminals (including politicians) could be safe from decent people. I was grateful again to government for not putting me in jail as it extracted additional income taxes probably intended for Hillary's health-care scam.

I got into my automobile, which was taxed when I bought it, and was again grateful I'd paid my license tax to the state and my personal-property and decal taxes to the county. It made me happy to think that the gasoline I put in the car was being taxed outrageously by federal and state taxers.

Of course, I hastily buckled up. My daddy, the state, had decreed I'd be committing a crime if I didn't.

As I drove to the government monopoly, which works so efficiently, to mail my extortion, pardon me, tax returns, I prayed they'd arrive on time. I also mailed my electric bill, which included a ``temporary'' county tax levied many years ago.

Leaving the post office, I breathed the air of a ``free'' nation for which I had risked my neck in two wars and I contemplated a great future where our beloved government has confiscated all our guns in defiance of the Constitution. And we all have ``free'' health care, which will be operated in the usual efficient way by those incompetent Washington hypocrites.

DICK LAMBERT

EAGLE ROCK

North's backers should stand firm

HISTORY sometimes repeats itself, if on a smaller scale. In 1952, it was obvious that any Republican would win the presidential election. And the preference of a large majority of Republicans was for the nomination of Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio, a prospect that was anathema to the Eastern Establishment and to the liberal media since he was a conservative.

The media, led, I believe, by Time magazine, therefore embarked on a campaign to deprive Taft of the nomination. They used the following proclamation (which, with variations, was repeated endlessly throughout the United States): ``Taft is going to get the nomination, for he goes into the convention with a steamroller. This is a pity, because Taft cannot win the election.'' The result was that Gen. Eisenhower won the nomination on the first ballot; the delegates had been frightened into abandoning their real preference.

Now the liberal media's using the same tactic to deprive Oliver North of the Republican nomination for senator. They have the backing of Washington insiders and old-guard liberal Republicans, who've led the Republican Party of Virginia into many a statewide election loss. In fact, the worst thing that can be said of North's convention opponent, Jim Miller, is that he is backed by these three groups.

It's critically important that convention delegates who prefer North not be daunted by this campaign. They must stand firm in their original commitment, for North can win the election, if only he can gain the nomination. I'm a delegate, and I solemnly promise not to be swayed by any propaganda the liberal cabal can dream up. I shall stick with him through thick and thin.

Needless to say, I'll support whichever Republican receiving the nomination, but I'll bring greater enthusiasm to the task if North's nominated.

THOMAS O. MacADOO

BLACKSBURG

Salem candidate offers experience

I'M PLEASED that longtime Salem resident Garry Lautenschlager is seeking election to Salem City Council. I've long known and admired his commitment to our community, and I am confident he'll make a truly outstanding council member.

Lautenschlager has been an active officer and member of the Salem Rescue Squad for more than 20 years. In this capacity, he's demonstrated compassion and concern for all citizens' safety and welfare, and has provided outstanding leadership and direction for many health-care and community-service organizations. His dedication and exceptional community service prompted the Salem Rotary Club to honor him with the Outstanding Citizen Award in 1992. This is just one of the many honors and recognitions he has earned through his unselfish dedication to the community.

Local government only thrives when its leaders are willing to commit themselves to working for the best interest of the community. Lautenschlager's practical experience in managing a local community-service agency and his dedication lead me to believe that he is up to the task. I hope fellow Salem citizens will join me in electing him to Salem City Council.

ROBERT H. LOGAN JR.

SALEM

by CNB