Limbaugh wasn’t blackballed for his conservatism
Re: “Al Sharpton is today’s Orval Faubus,” Oct. 19
The perfervid Star Parker writes: “[Al] Sharpton blocked Limbaugh like Gov. Orval Faubus tried to block black children from entering Central High in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957.” This is a ridiculous argument. First, to equate an activist’s campaign against a radio talk show host’s effort to purchase a professional sports franchise with an Arkansas governor’s defiance of federal law in preventing children from attending school is, on its face, a risible absurdity. Second, attempting to buy a football team is a privilege, while seeking an education is a right. Third, Al Sharpton might be a lot of things, but Orville Faubus he isn’t. Whatever influence Sharpton had in bringing pressure to bear on the NFL and the investment group, he lacked the actual power to prevent Limbaugh from acquiring an interest in the team. On the other hand, as the highest-ranking state official, Faubus wielded enormous power in depriving a group of its constitutional rights. And finally, Limbaugh was unceremoniously dumped not because of his conservative politics — the truth is that the club of billionaire owners is every bit as conservative as he is — but because he is a polarizing figure whose presence would bring unwanted attention to the league and most importantly, interfere with the flow of commerce. Ironically, Limbaugh was insufficiently conservative for the club.
Craig Taylor
Alexandria
Payroll tax is wrong way to raise revenue
Re: “Cut the payroll tax, grow the economy,” Oct. 19
Mr. Continetti proposes cutting the payroll tax, and he has a good point. The payroll tax could have been invented by someone who was convinced that we have too many jobs that pay too much. To replace revenue lost by cutting the payroll tax, I suggest raising taxes on land. No one will produce less land as a result.
Nicholas D. Rosen
Arlington
Cuccinelli led effort to reform mental health laws
If you, like me, are struggling to care for a mentally ill family member, you can have no better friend in the office of attorney general than Ken Cuccinelli. When Cuccinelli was elected to the Virginia Senate, I went to him with my tale of troubles because I knew him from his work as a family practice lawyer providing legal services for the mentally ill and their families. I am not in Ken’s district and cannot vote for him. He listened anyway, and was willing to work on legislation to help me and thousands of other Virginia families. Cuccinelli has been a leader in the General Assembly in the successful effort to reform Virginia’s outdated and ineffective mental health laws. As attorney general, he will be in an even stronger position to continue his work as a champion for reform.
Linfield Smith
Springfield
