Department of Energy analysts saw trouble ahead Re: “Taking the Fifth on the Solyndra scandal,” editorial, Sept. 25
The Energy Department’s analysis of the Solyndra business model conducted in 2009 was spot on when it claimed that Solyndra would run out of money in September 2011.
Maybe the Energy Department should conduct an analysis of the health care, Social Security, Medicare and government pension programs. They obviously have the competence to complete and deliver such a review.
Carmen Trummer
Arlington
Gas-guzzling autos hurt, not helped Americans
Re: “Cars gave Americans mobility, prosperity, greater freedom,” editorial, Sept. 22
Your paean to the joys of the automobile and the health benefits of our addiction to cars ignores the 35,000 to 40,000 dead highway victims each year, who won’t get to reach those ripe old ages. Most of Americans’ increased longevity could more aptly be attributed to improved medicine, Lipitor, and blood pressure checks than to automobiles.
Along with all that prosperity you attribute to the car comes the fatal addiction to oil that had no small role in the recent collapse of America’s financial system and the decline in our fortunes since the first warning of the 1973 gas crisis.
By the way, mass transit and commuter trains are full. The Greens actually are quite on target.
Jim Churchill
Alexandria
Two prominent CEOs now support a flat tax
We now have two prominent CEOs calling for tax reform: Caterpillar’s Doug Oberhelman and Coca-Cola’s Muhtar Kent. Both have said it is easier to do business with China than with the United States.
One reason is our tax code, which is cumbersome and plays favorites. The Cato Institute’s Dan Mitchell makes a strong case in his piece, “The Global Flat Tax Revolution,” which shows how nations in Europe and Asia have benefited from having a simple, one-rate tax code. This stands in contrast to President Obama’s demand for higher taxes, which would kill economic recovery, and Herman Cain’s 9 9 9 plan, which would still place three tax rates on Americans.
A one-rate plan is a better approach and would give U.S. businesses a better chance to compete in a global economy. Other nations have adopted the flat tax in an effort to not only keep — but attract — jobs. The United States should follow suit.
Eric Lindell
Washington
