Letters To The Editor

Sat., Sept. 18, 1999

WASHINGTON STATE

Tax relief? Coming right up

Several weeks ago I received from our 4th Legislative District state Sen. Bob McCaslin and Reps. Larry Crouse and Lynn Schindler their reports to constituents. All dealt with the recent legislative session, now complete. To some degree, these were glowing reports about all that was accomplished. One must admit on reading the reports that a lot of good for the people was accomplished.

However, one item stood out. It made reference to the lack of tax relief during this session. McCaslin had this headline in his review: “Efforts to reduce property taxes thwarted.” Rep. Crouse stated, “Taxpayers lose in budget battle” and “Tax cuts fail.” Rep. Schindler, in her session review, laments in several places the failure to give taxpayers any relief.

Well guess what?, what the Legislature has failed to do the citizens will do for them. That is, pass Initiative 695. Our state government is addicted to more and we are going to relieve it of that addiction come November 2. Richard Castleman Spokane

Vehicle taxes: Something’s got to give

Initiative 695 is long overdue. The amount of taxes paid in Washington is exorbitant. Being the sixth-highest-taxed state in the nation is proof of this. I don’t see why I should pay more for my tabs just because my car is new.

Actually, if the state insists on continuing this system, older cars should be charged more. They are heavier, which causes more damage to roads. They put more pollutants into the air and they tend to leak oil and other fluids that find their way into our ground water. Plus, they use more of our resources as they generally get poor mileage.

In most cases, older cars are not as safe, partly because of their less sophisticated braking systems, and they cause more damage in accidents. Have you seen what happens when one of those barges on wheels hits another car?

On another note, just where does the government get off charging me excise tax on my car every year? That is just like charging me a tax on all of my personal belongings every year. How can this possibly be legal? I keep waiting for the day when the government knocks on my door and tries to tax me on everything I own. I thought that practice went out a couple of centuries ago.

We have been robbed of our hard-earned dollars long enough. It is time for real tax relief. It is time for an initiative like 695. Lisa M. Turner Spokane

Curb overtaxation; Pass I-695

Any state that can afford to waste a billion dollars on two sports stadiums we didn’t need obliviously has plenty of money. If Washington has that much money to waste, we surely shouldn’t have to pay the extremely high and oppressive motor vehicle excise taxes we have in Washington. Vote yes on Initiative 695. Doug D. Deabler Veradale

Correction:

Jack Jennings’ letter of Sept. 16 contained a typographical error. The affected sentence should have read: It’s a glitzy bauble designed by the rich for the rich.

ENTERTAINMENT

Film a surefire image restorer

Having seen “The Basket,” our local box office phenomenon, twice, I believe a vision has emerged for the next millennium formula movie.

Rich Cowan, Frank and Tessa Swoboda and their team at North by Northwest have defined the new genre: Begin with brilliant writers who create a multifaceted, intelligent script which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Show how wisdom is a process which evolves from experience; how adults model behaviors and personal evolution that young people emulate.

Magnify the richness of ordinary life, the issues everyone faces, like tyrant-victim and fear of change.

Transcend the need for any blood, sex and profanity - then, everyone in the family can enjoy watching the movie together and spend hours discussing the provocative questions raised by the story.

End with an inspiring message to contemplate.

The rest of the formula is equally simple: a superb cast (not necessarily top names), breathtaking cinematography and an original musical score (by Spokane’s own Don Caron) so extraordinary that it stands on its own merit.

How ironic that the very region trashed by the media for racism has produced a hit movie about tolerance. I understand that it has outperformed, per screen, anything listed in Variety magazine for the last three weeks. Hollywood and the entire industry is on notice now.

Everyone who finds it difficult to recruit businesses and employees to our area because of negative press had better support this rare opportunity to rewrite our image. Lucy Forman Gurnea Chewelah, Wash.

`The Basket’ wins friends, uplifts

We finally went to see “The Basket”- first, with friends and then with our kids. Even though my kids, 16 and 13, begged us all day to not go to “The Basket” (because of low expectations for a family film), they both enjoyed it and admitted they were happy we went.

The neat thing about the movie is that it doesn’t just entertain on a surface level. I liked how the movie made me think and feel and grow while being entertained by a beautiful and engaging story. The blending of diverse emotions and story lines, humor, high-quality filming, acting, and music made it a wonderful experience. It lifts viewers out of cynicism to ponder on the hope and joy each of us can experience in others when we overcome our assumptions and prejudices.

Thank you to those who are using their God-given talents to build up a culture of life and love through the power of the media, rather than tearing it down with degrading stories and images.

Neighbors, now it is up to us. The Internet is what gave “The Blair Witch Project” its incredible boost. Let’s do the same for a film full of transcendent values. Please see the movie, then hop on the Internet to encourage your friends in Spokane and Denver to do the same!

Hello, Hollywood, are you listening? Cindy Omlin Mead

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