Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 8, 1995 TAG: 9501070055
SECTION: EDITORIALS PAGE: G-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Social Security is already means tested; further testing would make it a welfare system. I believe all welfare should be financed by taxpayers, preferably by general revenue.
However, if Social Security is to become a welfare system, then the only fair way would be to remove the cap on earnings for the FICA tax. The rich would then pay their fair share into the system and no one would be exempt.
Some worry that in a decade or two it will take all the government revenue to pay Social Security benefits and other unearned entitlements.
I suggest Social Security be removed from the budget, that FICA taxes be paid directly to the trust fund, and that the trust fund invest these funds in high-grade equities as well as U.S. government bonds that can be traded in the bond market.
The government is making between $50 billion and $60 billion a year in profit on the Social Security system. That's more than the net profits of all insurance companies in this country. I call this a profit because funds have already been spent. And to pay the money back, the government would tax those paying into the funds or borrow the money, and future generations would be taxed. If properly managed, there'll be no problem.
I'd like to see the deficit lowered and the budget balanced as soon as possible. While taking care of the needy, there'll be enough unearned entitlements that could be cut, and some could be eliminated to balance the budget.
The biggest sacred cow is tax deductions for mortgage interest on homes and yachts up to $1 million. If eliminated, this would lower the deficit $200 billion over five years. I fail to see why someone who can't afford a down payment on a small, modest home has to help subsidize someone else's $1 million homes and yachts.
DONALD AYERS
HILLSVILLE
Which way is it to Cincinnati?
ON THE FRONT page of the Dec. 8 edition, you ran a nice color picture of NW 611 arriving in Roanoke the previous afternoon. The caption on the photo, taken less than a block from the Times-World news offices, said the train was leaving the city on its last trip.
This same geographic dyslexia now seems to have afflicted Marshall Fishwick (Dec. 19 Commentary article, ``Born, and soon to be reborn, in faith'').
Fishwick fondly remembers boarding a steam train at the Norfolk & Western station across from Hotel Roanoke for a trip to Cincinnati, and, as the train pulled out, passing his ``old haunts in Southeast Roanoke and Vinton.'' Is it any wonder that he recalls the trip involving lots of stops?
DAVID L. FOSTER
SALEM
Taxes may lead to ballot-box revolt
IT'S TIME for Roanoke County to get into the program. In a time when federal and state governments are cutting waste and trying to downsize, Roanoke County continues to focus the burden of larger and larger government on taxpayers.
First, it was a ridiculous personal-property tax rate. Then, a water-rate increase that almost makes it cheaper to take milk baths. And now, real-estate tax-assessment increases are through the roof.
Of course you can appeal your new assessment, but don't waste your time. Basically, you'll get the ``you can't fight city hall'' explanation and ``pay up and stop whining'' response.
Well, that's not good enough for me, and it shouldn't be good enough for other county taxpayers. The next time we go to the ballot box, let's elect supervisors interested in reducing the size of county government by cutting waste instead of placing more burden on already strained taxpayers year after year.
WALKER NELMS
ROANOKE
Whatever happened to travel by rail?
AMTRAK CUTBACKS come at a time when many cities and communities need more and better transportation services, not less. I believe support is there for a connecting train from Richmond to Roanoke or beyond to Atlanta, Birmingham or Memphis. A Richmond non-Amtrak subsidized train to Memphis needs funding from two states, Virginia and Tennessee.
State-funded rail transportation has been part of North Carolina for many years, aside from Amtrak. North Carolina also plans to reintroduce a route to Asheville from Charlotte.
Our transportation needs foresight, planning and emphasis on the local community. Whatever happened to the local trip? Light rail was once considered a breakthrough in mileage, low pollution and environmentally sound travel. We should look for new, low-cost alternatives that are efficient, lightweight, and, to an extent, self-supporting.
HAROLD WILLIAMS JR.
MARTINSVILLE
System not abused by all welfare moms
I'M A welfare mother of two boys whom I love more than anything. I'm doing what I have to to keep our heads above water.
Yes, there are a few abusers of the system. And while they play the system, we take on the bad-guy name.
I read the Dec. 27 letter to the editor by Pamela R. Mitchell (``Welfare `trap' has lots of amenities'') who wanted to know how Laurie Barnes wore such nice clothes. There's a thing called layaway, and I use this often. Maybe these clothes were gifts. Who's to jump to conclusions? Since taxpayers pay for us to live, I guess they should know where we shop or get our clothes.
I think all my relatives pay enough taxes to pay for me and my children to live for several years, plus my children's father pays back Aid to Families With Dependent Children every week out of his check.
My case is different. I'm tired of hearing taxpayers say they pay for me and my children to live. I provide child care for low-income families when I'm not at school for myself. I don't get anything for this service.
Stop labeling everyone who needs help. Weed out the bad and help the good. We need encouragement, not criticism.
ANN R. DOOLEY
ROANOKE
The victims at the clinic
I HAVE one question for Donald Spitz of Pro-Life Virginia: What about the real victims who worked at the abortion clinic in Brookline, Mass.?
GLENN FRIEDLAND
ROANOKE
Customer's always rude - er, right
AS A part-time sales associate in the Roanoke area, I feel an obligation to voice a few shared opinions on behalf of associates everywhere regarding the holiday season.
During this season of love and good will toward all, I've never encountered so many impatient and mean-spirited people. There were complaints about stores being understaffed, store rules for checks, etc. Associates don't set store guidelines, nor are they responsible for co-workers not reporting to work when scheduled, but they receive all the complaints rather than gratitude for their presence to assist. These associates do their very best, with a sometimes forced smile on their faces and after working extended and unpleasant long hours.
Many women shopping in apparel departments should hide their faces in disgrace to their gender for being so inconsiderate of associates who must pick up their messes left in fitting rooms. I'm appalled how they leave clothes on the floor, thrown over doors or wherever they choose to sling them. Is this indicative of their housekeeping? Associates in these particular departments deserve much more appreciation than is usually bestowed upon them for their hard, thankless labor. Believe me, it's extremely difficult to plaster a smile on your face and be friendly when dealing with such rude and inconsiderate people.
I live by the Golden Rule: ``Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'' I hope the next holiday season is much kinder to sales associates everywhere.
JOYCE WIMMER
ROANOKE
by CNB