Dear Editor,
While I agree with Cynthia Walker (01/02/09) that we should be a
pro-business state and nation, I must respectfully disagree that
services should be cut to avoid tax increases that might hurt
businesses.
Raising taxes the right way to go in this time of economic crisis
Dear Editor,
While I agree with Cynthia Walker (01/02/09) that we should be a pro-business state and nation, I must respectfully disagree that services should be cut to avoid tax increases that might hurt businesses.
The public library’s hours were cut years ago. In fact, under our current governor, I have seen more hospitals shut down and less police, firefighters, nurses, and teachers in place to keep our community safe and healthy. When was the last time taxes were increased? Why do the Republicans want to keep cutting services and taxes while piling on a mountain of debt? How bare-bones to do we have to get in order for the business community to keep avoiding their fair share?
No, Ms. Walker, cutting more services will only serve to hurt our community and its economy in the long run. It is time for the borrow-and-spend Republicans to unite with the tax-and-spend Democrats in the state legislature and finally raise taxes after years of failing to do so.
A balance between taxes and spending cuts is the right way to go. Since we have already made steep spending cuts at the expense of our health and safety, it is time to raise taxes, especially on the wealthy.
Raising taxes will not take away jobs. Rather, it will spur spending on roads, schools, bridges, teachers, policemen, anti-gang programs, etc … while creating more jobs (and tax revenue), in these fields.
If some businesses are hurt because of tax increases, they will disappear, to be replaced by more effective businesses. Such is the way of the world. Lastly, I would say to Ms. Walker that taxes are not the bane of the business community. It is an out-of-work population not spending their money at said businesses that is their bane.
Mike Nesbit, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
Appreciated the article on the effects of recession on animals
Dear Editor,
Thank you for bringing attention to the sometimes-overlooked victims of the recession and foreclosure crisis: cats and dogs (“Recession takes a toll on pets, too,” 12/30/08).
Times are tough and money is tight, but it’s more crucial than ever for dog and cat guardians help keep animals out of shelters and off the streets, by spaying and neutering. Low-cost spay/neuter services make it affordable for everyone to do the right thing (call 1-800-248-SPAY for the nearest low-cost clinics).
If you have no choice but to part with your animals, please make the compassionate choice and bring them to a well-run, open-admission shelter where they will be safe, warm, fed, cared for, loved, and have a chance at finding new homes. Abandoning animals on the streets, in the woods, or in empty homes or yards to “fend for themselves” or handing them over to uncertain fates with strangers are virtual death sentences for the animals who depend on us for survival.
Lindsay Pollard-Post.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Community needs to know the truth about ‘insolvency tsunami’
Dear Editor,
Regarding the insolvency tsunami that’s drowning us, I pray that you and your editorial board will make a New Year’s resolution to tell the truth about the berserk, oppressive government under which we labor.
Please report the Department of Finance findings: domestic out-migration of taxpayers. The social and economic consequences of our failed radical socialism must be admitted before they can be changed. And you guys have a key role to play in spreading the knowledge needed for such reform. As Lincoln said in 1837, no foreign power could conquer America – but we could die by suicide.
Joe Thompson, Gilroy
