ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A30 EDITION: HOLIDAY
TYPE: LETTERS
HERE COME the vicious vultures, pecking away and wanting yet more flesh.
Should President Clinton choose God, Jesus, St. Paul, St. Peter, the pope and Mother Theresa as his nominees for his second-term Cabinet, guess who would find fault with or object to some, if not all, of his selections?
You got it! Goofy Old Politicos.
JOE LOCKHART
ROANOKE
Don't put national security at risk
AT THE MOMENT, the idea of a constitutional amendment to balance the budget looks attractive. We must bear in mind that this is the Constitution, not a statute that can be changed quickly by Congress. The Constitution isn't for the moment, and cannot be changed in a moment.
If this amendment had been in effect at the commencement of World War II, our ability to fight that war would have been seriously, perhaps fatally, compromised. Perhaps we have achieved that dreamed goal of a just and lasting peace in perpetuity. Perhaps.
I would be among the last to wish another war on the world, but I would be far more comfortable if our ability to meet such a horrible contingency remained unimpaired.
MAXWELL R. PALMER
BLACKSBURG
The elderly's wealth is a myth
A FEW COMMENTS relative to Greta McCaughrin's Nov. 12 letter to the editor, "Welfare for wealthy seniors":
* If seniors have so much money, why would hotels offer such generous discounts? It doesn't make sense.
* Although seniors may get a break with state taxes, by far the largest income tax is federal. Those with a moderate level of income have their Social Security taxed at 85 percent. I would favor seniors being taxed at the same rate as everyone else.
* How does a senior making $50,000 manage to pay no taxes? I'd like to know.
* Most young people are living better than their parents did. They also have special benefits, e.g., college loans and unemployment insurance. Taxes from seniors go to support schools and other educational institutions.
* Health care is by no means free. In addition to paying Medicare, most seniors carry a supplemental policy. Some even carry an expensive long-term policy. And no matter how much money most seniors have, those without a long-term care policy will not have enough money for such care.
* Seniors do not get wealthy on Social Security. Those who are well-to-do have, in most instances, earned their additional income. There are exceptions, including presidents and members of Congress who have outlandish pensions.
GORDON R. CARTER
BLACKSBURG
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB