Fed's Greenspan lacks wisdom on Bush tax cuts

In suggesting recently that President Bush's tax cuts be made permanent, erstwhile defender of fiscal responsibility Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan justified his position with this remarkable bit of economic wisdom and logic: "It would probably be unwise to unwind the long-term tax cut, because it is already built into the system."

In the first place, that's not true -- the deepest cuts and those targeted to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers are not scheduled to take effect for several years. They are not "built in" yet.

More to the point, Mr. Greenspan's earlier rationale for supporting then-President-elect Bush's proposed giveaway to the richest taxpayers was that the surplus threatened to eliminate all of the government's debt and, since the government would no longer need to borrow money, investors would be deprived of access to safe and secure U.S. Treasury obligations.

Well, we certainly don't have that worry anymore. The Treasury is hemorrhaging red ink, the days of surpluses are a dim, if recent, memory and the real effects of the tax cuts haven't even begun to be felt.

So much for the independence of the Federal Reserve Board and its chairman.

Benjamin Rosenberg

Baltimore

Change City Council as soon as possible

Redistricting the City Council should commence as quickly as possible. The longer this current group is in office the more embarrassed we become ("The agitprop council," editorial, Nov. 13).

I hope that with 14 single-member districts we can find candidates who care more about Baltimore than silly resolutions about nothing.

Dave Wilmer

Baltimore

U.N. proves mettle in dispute with Iraq

In his September address to the U.N. General Assembly, President Bush challenged that body to "show that the promise of the United Nations can be fulfilled in our time" ("Bush warns U.N. not to be fooled by Iraq," Sept. 18).

He didn't mention that the United States has contributed to past U.N. malfunction by its failure to pay its dues on time, or the failure of the world to provide the U.N. with the powers required to enforce its resolutions.

But the fact that the United Nations can be effective was manifested recently when the actions of the Security Council at least postponed the invasion of Iraq by the United States ("Iraq accepts U.N. terms," Nov. 14). And now, depending upon the outcome of inspections, war in Iraq may be completely avoided.

It would be ironic if such an outcome, a feather in the U.N.'s cap, emanated from our country's military threat to Iraq rather than from the police power of the United Nations.

Palmer H. Futcher

Cockeysville

Stand up for liberty by cutting oil usage

Is it true that SUV really stands for "Saddam's Ultimate Vehicle"?

Until Americans cut back their oil consumption, Arab monarchies and dictatorships will continue to be well-fueled in their efforts to fend off the proponents of democracy in their countries.

As a people dedicated to the expansion of democratic ideals worldwide, one of the strongest statements Americans can make is to reduce our voracious appetite for oil. This will ultimately deprive Arab despots of their economic power base and provide the breeding ground for liberty.

Gains B. Hawkins

Salisbury

Talk radio provides a healthy alternative

Michael Olesker's column "Democrats' identity crisis gave Ehrlich the advantage" (Nov. 7) refers to "radio talk-show guys who live in the back pocket of the Republican Party."

Those talk-show guys provide a breath of fresh air, a needed service and a fair and objective alternative to The Sun's columnists who "live in bed" with the corrupt liberal Democrats.

Frank A. Stultz

Forest Hill

Learning a lesson from the election

As President Truman said, "When given a choice between a Republican and a Republican, the people will choose the Republican every time."

Myles B. Hoenig

Baltimore

The writer co-chairs the Baltimore City Green Party.

Democrats need new leadership

As a loyal member of the Democratic Party, let me first congratulate the Republicans on a job well done at the state level and at the national level. They ran superior campaigns and earned their victories.

Second, let me say that it is time for new leadership to step forward in the Democratic Party, both in Maryland and at the national level.

My great party has failed to articulate any vision for this nation. We've moved away from issues we've long championed in fear of offending swing voters. We've jumped in bed with big corporations because our leaders care more about raising money for their re-election or presidential bids than about the issues. The party has lost its backbone.

That's why I believe it's time for National Chairman Terry McAuliffe to resign and former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Tom Daschle to step back and let new blood lead the Democratic Party, which once stood tall on so many key issues.

Sam Hershey Timonium

Public financing is path to reform

I'm a student at St. John's College in Annapolis, and I noticed that among all the coverage of the political horse race, there has been no mention of an idea that might radically change the nature of elections in Maryland.

The public financing of elections might end the political money chase, open up elections to more candidates and curb the influence of special interests in Annapolis.

Why not write about this opportunity for real reform of Maryland politics at a time when the public is most aware of the shortfalls of the current campaign finance system?

Michael Bridge Annapolis

Let Webster case serve useful purpose

What happened to Bernard Webster frightens me most of all because it could have been me sitting in prison all those years with all hope gone, knowing that society has just washed its hands of me ("Webster freed from wrongful term in prison," Nov. 8).

As a conservative who has always favored punishment that fits the crime, I sit here and ponder what is more costly to humanity: letting 10 guilty people go free or putting one innocent person in prison or, God forbid, to death?

I pray that Mr. Webster's freedom will serve a purpose to him and that his release will help restore hope to all the innocent prisoners we have not yet identified.

And society must justly compensate him for his suffering. It's the right thing to do.

Gary Gamber

New Windsor