Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Join in Medicare issues, events

“Term limits promise shadows Nethercutt” on Feb. 18 was a good update on term limits and also covered yet another high school visit by Nethercutt. But, except for a photo and caption, nothing was said about the Congressman’ most significant appearance of the day, at Corbin Senior Center.

The topic that attracted a roomful of seniors was Medicare reform and senior health issues. No topic could be more timely or more critical. Timely because a report to Congress from the Bipartisan Medicare Commission is due March 1; critical because without reform, Medicare Part A will go bankrupt in 2008.

Medicare must be reformed to handle the increased demand of 77 million Baby Boomers who begin to become eligible in 2011.

Local seniors can become involved by attending a Medicare Fraud Fighters Rally at 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Lyons Cinema, 202 E. Lyons Ave., in Spokane. Last year, the Medicare program lost billions of dollars due to fraud, waste and abuse. To register for the rally, which is sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Justice, call 1-800-866-7023.

Then, at 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, at Sacred Heart’s Providence Auditorium, 24 W. Ninth Ave., Rep. Jim McDermott, one of 17 members of the Medicare Commission, will talk about changes to expect from Congress and how these changes will affect you and your family. Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane

Would GOP back real tax reform?

Politicians are considering how best to save Social Security. Republicans have the answer: a flatter, fairer tax.

The current Social Security tax is unbelievably regressive. Take Bill Gates as an example. Due to limitations on types of income taxed and caps on income, Gates pays Social Security taxes at a maximum rate of approximately of one millionth of 1 percent of his income. Compare this to the average American’s 6 percent. You, the average American, are paying Social Security taxes at a rate 12 million times higher than Bill Gates. That is a regressive tax.

If we made all income taxable; earned, unearned and capital gains; with no income caps, we could reduce the Social Security tax rate by half, to a flat 3 percent, and still increase the amount collected. This would mean Social Security could be saved with 80 percent of the population paying less in taxes. The affluent would be paying their fair share and have the privilege of living in a country where the elderly will not be destitute and the disabled will not be forced to beg on the streets. That would be a flatter, fairer tax.

There is only one problem. Republicans only apply flatter, fairer tax arguments to progressive taxes. Would the fact that 90 percent of all political campaign contributions originate from the wealthiest 1 percent of the population have anything to do with that? Paul N. Valanoff Moscow, Idaho

Tax tables are anti-marriage

People hear about the marriage tax penalty but most must not understand what it means. Here it is in black and white. The standard deduction for a married couple in 1998 is $7,100.00. In today’s society, unfortunately, that same couple, if unmarried, can enjoy all of the same privileges and conveniences, but will get a standard deduction totaling $8,500.00. Maybe a $200.00 divorce (on paper only) is the best option. Allan Roach Newman Lake

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Truth-tellers’ lot still difficult

Ancient pagan societies in decline often took bizarre vengeance against reality by murdering messengers who dared to bring them bad news. Oliphant’s weekend cartoon again vilifying Kenneth Starr shows that this habit is still around.

Judge Starr’s main offense seems to be that he has become such a messenger by documenting massive failures of honor and justice in a popular leader. Having decided to hate him for this, many seem eager to accuse him of every sort of evil, although Starr’s career and personal character show that he has truthfully and consistently pursued what is just for our society and its government.

A recent letter to The Spokesman-Review told a sad truth when it suggested the secret reason public opinion so strongly endorses Bill Clinton, in spite of his behavior and in disregard of the rule of law, is that many really prefer a president who is just like themselves. One who therefore doesn’t have to be respected. Such public preference certainly also explains the persistent hatred shown messengers who dare to tell us the truth.

But such preference is also no compliment to democracy and the message remains valid, no matter how we treat the messenger. The society which results does not meet the standards required for honor, justice or even long-term survival. Walter R. Thorson Sandpoint

What? Two-tiered justice?

I know and respect Michael Hanly greatly, although I could not agree with a single word of his Feb 14. letter.

Hanly’s condemnation of the House managers who prosecuted President Clinton is fraught with frequently hyperbolic and tendentious difficulties (“Treason, anyone?” Oh, come now!). But one point absolutely demands a response.

In his philippic against Rep. Henry Hyde and the House managers, professor Hanly twice refers to Bill Clinton’s popular election victories, as if those somehow constitute a legal aegis against possible impeachment and removal from office. The notion that the bar of impeachment and removal from office is raised to a higher standard for presidents elected and popular than for those who become president through succession and who are less than popular has dangerous implications.

Should it be easier to impeach and remove a president who was not elected, who is unpopular and who is charged with similar crimes?

I hesitate to ponder how the stability of the executive might have been damaged if Harry S. Truman, between 1945 and 1948, had been charged with crimes similar to those directed against Clinton and then tried according to the more lax standards Hanly’s argument seems to support. But then, comparing the characters relative to the two men, the thought is ridiculous. Truman had a higher respect for the office than does the current occupant. Tom M. Wootton Pullman

Democrats’ actions disingenuous

I read Molly Ivins’ commentary in the Feb. 12 issue. I also checked the Internet today and learned of the acquittal and failure of the censure votes of the Senate.

I am very happy about the acquittal. I do not feel that, in the context of an impeachment trial, the perjury amounts to “high crimes.” I do have serious doubts about Clinton’s character - and have since 1991 (anybody remember draft dodging and not inhaling?). But he has done a very able job as president.

Not a single Democrat voted for conviction on either count. By contrast, many Republican senators voted for acquittal. So where is the partisanship, really?

Very interesting, how many Democrats who were begging for an opportunity to censure when the outcome of the trial was in doubt suddenly voted against debating it when the outcome was certain in their favor. Reminds me of a person who swears to God they’ll change their life if God will get them out of a mess, then reverts to their same self once they’re out of the jam. Alan Wolfson Spokane

Acquittal votes made no sense

I hate to think I’m beating a dead horse, but would someone please tell me how anyone who believes that President Clinton has committed perjury and obstructed justice can vote not guilty on those charges? Jim Joyce Spokane

Votes for Chenoweth deplorable

In response to recent letter writers, wake up and smell the hypocrisy! Why did so many so-called morally sound Idaho voters continue to campaign and vote for Rep. Helen Chenoweth, a six-year, self-confessed adulteress? Was it because they felt they were casting their vote for the overall candidate and what she stood for? Isn’t this the exact reason Clinton supporters have been ridiculed and scorned?

Me? I voted my conscience. I didn’t vote for either of them and I can sleep at night. Barb Neal St. Maries

First lady should’ve worried sooner

I read with interest the Feb. 13 article, “First lady angry that Chelsea affected.” The whole country aches for Chelsea. She is one of the true victims in this whole sordid mess.

However, as much as Hillary Clinton would like to blame the Republican Party or a right-wing conspiracy for the scandal that affecting her and her daughter, she needs to look a little deeper, within herself. She has had years to reflect on her husband’s behavior and she chose to stay the course. The time to protect our children is before the harm is done. Now, perhaps, is the time to put Chelsea’s needs first, before any agenda. Janet E. Carpenter Coeur d’Alene

Impeachability a fait accompli

Re: Joan Harman’s Feb. 14 letter.

By it’s very definition, an impeachable offense is an offense for which one (Bill Clinton) is impeached. Clinton was indeed impeached for lying under oath and obstruction of justice. Therefore those charges, while they might also be indictable, are definitely impeachable offenses.

Face it, the man was impeached, not convicted, and history will always show him as that - one of only two presidents ever impeached. The farce here is that he wasn’t convicted. But what should we expect when the Democrats in Congress, in a strictly partisan gesture, voted straight down the line, every Democrat on every count, to acquit.

The only thing indefensible here is the attitude of people who think he did nothing wrong. God help America. Scott Meyers Spokane

To forgive is divine

Re: `President asks for forgiveness’ (A1 Feb 13)

I am a fifth grader at Indian Trail Elementary. Along with my classmates, I have been reading the newspaper almost every day about President Bill Clinton telling lies. When I read the quote from the president saying “any person who asks for forgiveness has to be prepared to give it,” it really made me think about the Golden Rule and how important it is.

Everyone makes lots of mistakes every day. The world would be a terrible place if we didn’t forgive each other.

While it is wrong to lie and to do bad things, it makes us better people when we forgive. Alyssa Dixon, age 10 Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Kaiser workers have upgraded skills

Re: “Union members mad at wrong people” (Letters, Feb 12).

Your reference to the United Steelworkers in a lockout as not having support is erroneous. We have more support from the Washington and Idaho communities than you will ever know or believe.

It would appear your “poor me” reference is directed more toward yourself than anyone else. I spent 10 years at Kaiser as an unskilled laborer, until the Steelworkers union negotiated an on-the-job training program. This allowed anyone to better their position and upgrade their financial status, as I did.

Hundreds of skilled workers received their training not only through these programs but on their own initiative, outside Kaiser. They put in their own time and finances to move out of the unskilled category. For some it was the military, for others a trade school, but they made the decision and the sacrifices to make a better life for their families and themselves.

Whether its a school of higher learning or a trade school, the message is the same: If you don’t want the unskilled classification, stay in school. Ronald A. Hansen Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Principals insulted Asian Americans

I continue to be troubled by the recent photograph of two Coeur d’Alene school principals dressed like Japanese sumo wrestlers.

I suspect these principals would not have appeared in black face to perform an Amos ‘n Andy routine. They would not have painted themselves like Native American warriors and staged a mock battle. They would not have donned yarmulkes or Palestinian headdresses to get a laugh in front of the student body. It is deeply disturbing that they do not see exploiting an Asian stereotype as equally inappropriate.

While many people have become sensitive to many forms of hatred, Asians in America are quietly experiencing subtle forms of racism or misunderstanding, even while enjoying a reputation as intelligent and successful. Though many Asians can trace their U.S. citizenship back several generations, they are routinely treated as recent immigrants who probably cannot speak English.

Asian Americans are seen in the movies only practicing martial arts. In business, they experience a glass ceiling. Asian American men report they are viewed as eunuchs while Asian American women frequently say they are seen by some as exotic sex symbols.

Diversity, whether in government or in programs honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, often focuses on African Americans, women, Native Americans and Latinos, ignoring Asian Americans.

The state of Washington has an Asian American governor and a significant Asian American population that includes many prominent scholars. Surely, it is time for the residents of these states to look beyond stereotypes of Asians. Lois Melina Moscow

Arabs depiction wrong, unwarranted

The racist portrayal of Middle Easterners in the cartoon on the Roundtable page (Feb. 10) has no place in The Spokesman-Review. Portrayals of African Americans, women, Jewish people or other ethnic or religious groups in the same manner would initiate a torrent of protest.

The two Arab men in the cartoon are shown with traditional daggers and dress, huge noses and four-day-old beards, talking, of course, about political assassination.

After having traveled to the Middle East and studied policy issues and Middle Eastern culture, I must say I have never met an Arab man who looked like this outside of cartoons. Arab men, like American men, are mostly clean shaven or have a full beard. They shower frequently and smell of cologne. In addition, most are kind, hospitable and generous, as their culture and religion dictate (and to which all good humans aspire).

There are some deviations from this behavior in Arab Muslims, just as there is with Christians, some of whom murder abortion doctors and have racist, sexist and violent political and social agendas.

Middle Easterners, particularly men, are continually portrayed as terrorists and all-around bastards who are unfamiliar with razors, unless used to slit throats.

A more enlightened and correct cartoon that appeared in the April 30, 1993, edition of the CQ Researcher read: “The only good Muslims … are most Muslims.’ Nancy A. Mueller Spokane