Letters

Preserve initiatives

Of course some Spokane City Council members would like to abolish citizen initiatives, because citizens tend to want to protect their interests, like the river, air and basic freedoms. But if it is more lucrative to side with private investors, to increase taxable commerce, well, then let our forests come down, our wildlife flee, our air and soil and river carry every toxic waste cooked up to enhance profits citizens will never see.

Kathleen Russell

Spokane

Kill ‘Buffett Rule’ for good

Now that the “Buffett Rule” has been defeated in the U.S. Senate, can we put it to rest for good? I am sick to death of hearing this president squawk about fairness when it comes to taxes. Look, I don’t care how much Warren Buffett, or his secretary, or you, or anyone else makes each year. Only two things concern me: First, did you earn it legally and honorably? Second, did you pay taxes on it according to current law?

If those answers are yes, enough said. Equal treatment under the law: isn’t that the very definition of “fair?”

Taking more from the rich only penalizes achievement while pitting citizens against each other by portraying some as evil and greedy. If you don’t understand the difference between income and capital gains, and why they’re taxed differently, look it up! Still think it’s unfair? Then scrap the current tax code. Call your senators. Oh, never mind, they haven’t even passed a budget in years.

By the way, taking every cent from the top 1 percent of American earners wouldn’t run our deficit-spending government for a month! At $15 trillion and counting, do we really want to give this addict more crack?

J.M. Lyons

Spokane

Narrow minds at shows

Your entertainment writers do a good job informing us all about the Broadway shows in town. I have been a season ticket subscriber for a few years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how people who come to some of these shows have no clue what the show is about. As evidenced again recently for “In the Heights.”

We knew that the show contained rap music, break dancing, themes about life in New York City’s Latino community. Still, people came, sat for half the show and never came back for the second half!

There have been complaints about some of the shows brought to Spokane. I have seen some that I liked better than others, but I never went in completely clueless. Even at “Spamalot” and “Young Frankenstein,” people around us were upset that we were laughing so hard.

I suppose next year people will be mad that “Rock of Ages” isn’t about the church! Please, people, not every show is “The Sound of Music.” If you don’t like the content, give your tickets to someone who wants to go. As for us, we look forward to next year.

Melody Kinder

Spokane

It’s a choice for many

Anyone who ridicules a woman for staying home to raise her children must have a screw loose. There is no more important occupation than being a mother. Why bring children into this world if you’re going to have someone else raise them?

Steve Smith (April 24) is way off base with his statement that “it is a choice that most of us cannot make.” There are a few million homeschooling families in the United States who choose to live on one income so they can raise and educate their children themselves. I’ll admit that mom staying home is not a choice for many families, but I don’t agree with the term “most.”

The key to more moms being able to stay home is a reorganization of priorities. When you make your children most important and focus on the necessities instead of the luxuries (expensive homes and vehicles, campers, boats, electronics, trips to Hawaii, etc.) it is possible.

The Romneys’ decision to have Ann stay home with their children was a personal one and no one’s business but theirs. And really, does it have anything at all to do with Mitt Romney’s qualifications for president? Nope, just another example of silliness.

Kelli Burton

Medical Lake