Lawmakers ignore menace of alcohol

Why are our politicians continuing to press for tougher legislation and higher taxes on tobacco products while ignoring the dangers of alcohol? Nicotine may be an addictive drug, but alcohol can be a mind-altering addictive drug.

I have never heard of anyone being maimed or killed by a driver smoking cigarettes before getting behind the wheel. I have not heard of a case where someone was hurt or killed during a smoking rage. Has there been any case of spousal abuse caused by smoking? How many marriages break up over smoking abuse?

Gov. Parris N. Glendening's latest proposal is to raise the cigarette tax as a way to cut teen smoking. Does our governor not recognize the problem of underage drinking? Why not raise the tax on alcohol? No politicians has the you-know-what to go up against the liquor industry.

What hypocrites.

Dennis Gore Westminster

Governor's tobacco tax is unfair

In reference to the governor's proposed tobacco tax increase, this is nothing more than a tax, and an unfair one, on residents of Maryland who choose to indulge in the legal use of tobacco.

These people already pay more than enough taxes for which they receive no direct benefit, as do drivers whose gasoline taxes are supposed to help build and maintain the roads.

Gov. Parris N. Glendening and others state that this increase will discourage minors from buying and using tobacco products. It is already illegal for minors to purchase tobacco. Why not enforce existing law?

It has been said that if Maryland does increase its tax as proposed, the state would become an island surrounded by lower prices. This would push smokers to drive to neighboring states to make their purchases.

In The Sun, Mr. Glendening responded that he was not concerned about this, as minors cannot drive. However, this week he is asking the District of Columbia to also increase its tobacco tax, thus hopefully preventing the loss of additional Maryland state revenue. And he still says this is not a tax.

In addition, if I remember correctly, the settlement reached with tobacco companies included the provision that they would have to pay additional fines if they did not reduce teen smoking and would incur lesser fines if any state increased its state tax on tobacco. Mr. Glendening would rather overtax citizens of Maryland and thus reduce the tobacco companies' penalties.

Richard Fox Westminster

Commends the Sun for school coverage

I would like to commend The Sun for the continuing coverage of school issues in Carroll County.

Overcrowding, construction cost-overruns and building permit snafus all raise questions about the direction this school system is headed. We appreciate your efforts toward keeping these issues on the front burner. We haven't forgotten and don't want our local government to either.

Robert Wack Westminster

The untold downside of VA home loans

In the March 7 Real Estate section, an article espoused the benefits of "finding a home via the VA." While there are some very real benefits for veterans and non-veterans alike, the article failed to address the many detriments Veterans Administration real estate programs present for home buyers and American taxpayers.

While the VA affords veterans the opportunity to purchase a home with little or no money down, there is a tendency for some veterans to be lured by eager home sellers and builders to purchase more than they can afford. Since there is no risk to the lender because the VA insures these loans, the usual checks and balances to reduce default are eliminated. When veterans do default on VA loans, taxpayers make up the difference.

Furthermore, taxpayers not only pay for the default, but they pay as these VA properties sit for months or years after foreclosure proceedings, awaiting disposition and sale by the VA.

In some instances, this delay creates costly damage to these properties since pipes may freeze and burst, and other existing damage can be exacerbated. Again, these repair costs are passed along to taxpayers.

Finally, purchasers of foreclosed VA properties should be wary, as the sale of VA properties is usually "as is" and there are often no opportunities to do basic checks, such as running the water to ensure that there are no major plumbing leaks, checking the heating and cooking systems or appliances.

A. J. Rimel Eldersburg

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