Letters to the Editor

If Tom Daschle, former Senate majority leader, did not know what taxes he should pay, what confidence can we have that any member of Congress knows what taxes he or she is required to pay, and that those taxes have in fact been paid? I hope the IRS will audit every single senator and congressman now serving. When that is done, it should then audit the tax returns of all previous legislators who served in the last five years.

Edgar R. Chavez

West Chester

It's painful to see Americans of all stripes suffering as a result of the current economic meltdown, brought to us by eight long years of GOP-sponsored spending. And now, these same politicians have the nerve to slice, dice and oppose President Obama for suggesting an intelligent response.

What's missing is a concerted call by leaders of both parties and the American people to cut, cut, cut defense spending. It can and should be done. Anyone who has studied history knows that the greatest empires on earth were brought to their knees by unbridled defense spending and pointless military adventures. The United States runs the risk of heading down that same path.

Craig Wallen

Philadelphia

Gov. Rendell is living in a pipe dream if he really believes a 10-cent-per-pack cigarette tax hike will bring $50 million to state coffers, especially considering the recent passage of a 61-cent increase in the federal tax to fund the health-insurance program for children.

Tobacco taxes have never been the revenue boon advocates claim them to be. They rely on a narrow and shrinking tax base, while driving an increase in smuggling. The experience of other states confirms that these hikes usually result in lower-than-projected revenue. The state should focus on long-term budget solutions such as capping taxes and expenditures and reducing the cost of government programs and services by partnering with the private sector more.

John Nothdurft

The Heartland Institute

Chicago

The tax incentive to help families buy new cars needs to be limited to fuel-efficient vehicles. American automakers do have cars that get 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Giving tax credits for purchasing these cars would be a win for families, automakers, the economy and the environment. Subsidizing sales of gas guzzlers would send the wrong message.

Ann Fuchs

Chadds Ford

Re: "Why losing a job can hurt men more," article, Wednesday:

I would argue that losing a job hurts men and women equally, but that this pain shows up in different ways. For men, it feels like a message that they are not what they should be - breadwinners. But for many women it feels like confirmation of an already familiar message that they should not be what they want to be - independent individuals whose work and skills are fairly compensated.

Catherine K. Brown

Media

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Re: "Students should consider a range of colleges these days," commentary, Thursday:

There was a serious omission in the article: community colleges. They are a wonderful educational resource. Consider Montgomery County Community College, a hidden jewel. The new computer-science center at the Blue Bell campus and the health-and-sciences center at the Pottstown campus offer facilities many four-year colleges would envy.

Nancy Mortimer O'Brien

Lafayette Hill

» READ MORE: nancymobrien@comcast.net