Letters to the Editor for Thursday, July 24, 2008

Published: July 23, 2008

House GOP’s anti-tax stance serves no one
Lawmakers in Richmond recently wrapped up a six-day special legislative session on transportation, during which absolutely nothing was accomplished, thanks to the “anti-tax party,” otherwise known as Republicans. Now we’re right back where we started, with Virginia still facing quite a dilemma in regards to its transportation system, a situation that some argue has reached the crisis point. Indeed, crumbling and congested roadways, and a lack of funding for road maintenance have made for a sorry and embarrassing state of affairs.

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In response to this, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has proposed a great solution, one that makes perfect sense: increase the gas tax, among other fees, to raise funds for transportation. In other words, have those who use the roads pay for them.

Predictably, the Republicans have once again dusted off their stale old rallying cry, “No new taxes!”, and they’re shouting it at anyone who will listen. Of course, this empty rhetoric offers no solution to the problem at hand, as is usually the case, and is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt by the Republicans to gain re-election to the office they prize above all else. Ironically, the Republicans claim their opposition to the governor’s proposal is rooted in their desire to save taxpayers money, yet they stood as obstacles to progress (nothing new there) during the fruitless six-day session that cost the taxpayers $117,000.

What the anti-tax crowd fails to realize is that raising taxes is justified and, in most cases, good practice if no other feasible solution is presented and the money goes toward doing something for the common good. Last time I checked, a good, reliable, transportation system benefits everyone.

Kaine is not only taking unnecessary heat from stubborn Republicans, but also from consumers who make the questionable claim that raising the gas tax will hurt them when they’re already struggling at the pump. Struggling? Actually, it doesn’t seem that there are many who are really struggling with the high gas prices. Otherwise, parking lots like those at movie theaters, grocery stores, restaurants and Wal-Mart wouldn’t be as packed as I often notice. If gas prices are truly hurting you, here’s an idea: Stop driving so much! Hail a cab to the grocery store or pay a friend to drive you. Instead of driving to the store around the corner, walk or ride a bike. Take the bus to the movie theater and your other leisure activities. If, for some reason, you think you’re “too special” or “too high-class” to ride the bus or take a cab, then stop whining. By all means, go fill up your tank and keep forking over the cash to Big Oil.

The point I’m making is if people can afford to drive around on leisure trips, I don’t see how Gov. Kaine’s proposal of a few extra cents per gallon will cause them any financial trauma, so what’s their complaint? That’s right, they don’t have one. At least not a legitimate one, anyway. Besides, you think gas is expensive here? How would you like to pay seven or eight bucks a gallon? No? In that case, you better thank whatever god you pray to that you don’t live in Europe.
TRAVIS L. NUCKLES
Lynchburg

My bad
In a recent letter I sent to the editor, I made a mistake and would like to apologize to your readers. In my letter, I referred to a quote from Barack Obama’s book. The mistake I made was calling this a quote and putting it in quotation marks. My intention was to give a summary of my understanding of the gist of many of Obama’s comments.

I am not sure whether I should say “what I intended to say was” or “I just misspoke.”

I suppose we will just have to let the future reveal what he really believes.

Either way I apologize for referring to my understanding or my misunderstanding as a quote. I will be more careful in the future.
ROBERT E. DeLONG
Forest