The real sin is overspending
Today, all the states and the federal government are caught in a situation where the income from taxes is not covering the expenditures of the government at either level.
Some states want to use “sin taxes” to bring in additional revenue without all sharing the burden.
The thinking is, “Let’s fix things by taxing things that we think are sins.”
How does this solve the fundamental problems in our system? It doesn’t.
Who decides what a sin is and what is not, for taxable items? If we need to increase taxes, it should be apply to everybody, with the exception of food purchases.
And now for the question that cannot be made public:
Why can’t we just cut back on our government spending?
ó Bill McCranie
Salisbury
Stamps vs. cable
As stamps go up to 44 cents in May, I offer a comparison between this event and other commodities.
Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom have had first-class postage rates nearly double that of our rates for many years. These figures can be verified online, I feel sure.
For further comparison, Time-Warner Cable (once Vision Cable) was $11 a month when it came here in 1981, and stamps were 29 cents.
Postage has risen 51 percent in this span, while cable has risen 536 percent (based on the middle package with no premium channels), to $59.
Former Congressman Earl Ruth was right when he said the cable people would get rich.
ó William Poole
Salisbury
Blessings overlooked
As I read the Post every day, I look at all the negative letters. I understand that Americans are fed up, but why don’t we take time out to see the beauty all around us and thank God for it?
I believe that despite all we are going through as Americans, we don’t give Him enough praise. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and two wonderful kids, a job, my husband’s job, food and a home.
For once, let us stop focusing on the negative and focus on the positive. I think the world would do much better if people were not so negative all the time, and they took time out to focus on the positive.
Be thankful for what you have. He can take it in a minute. Thank you, God, for all you give me. I am one truly blessed mommy and wife.
ó Tammy Whitlatch
Salisbury
Way to Livingstone
“Is this the way to Livingstone College?”
We have lived at the corner of West Fisher and Institute streets for 48 years, and this question has never been asked.
Our home is on Fisher Street, but our side porch is on Institute Street. We enjoy sitting there during late spring and summer.
Institute Street is very busy during the day and late evenings. On the opposite side of the street is a clump of trees and vines, with a sidewalk and black, iron railing to prevent walkers from falling into a stream below.
A concrete walk extends from West Innes to Monroe Street across from Livingstone College’s entrance gate to Varick Auditorium. Both of us are senior citizens with some frailties, but we are still mobile.
We will not sign the petition because we are not in favor of changing the name of Institute Street. A name change will not make the college any greater. A change in the make-up of the college curriculum is one of the greatest changes that can improve student interest, as well as a better name for the entire college.
Our alma mater is on Dudley Street, with an administration building that fronts on that historically named street. Our alumni would not allow such a bold idea to surface, let alone to change the name for one of our early presidents.
Name changes are not necessary. In our most recent alumni bulletin, more than 200 students were identified who had studied abroad since 2000, gaining credits toward their degrees. To us, these are notable accomplishments worthy of praise, not trees and sidewalks.
As property owners, we will continue to plant flowers, prune our trees and keep our lawns well-manicured. Boarded-up houses, muddy lawns and cars in yards should be more of a concern for the college, as well as the city.
ó Arthur V. and Louise P. Slade
Salisbury