Obama critic is the one who can’t add Re: “The president’s tax math doesn’t add up,” Nov. 4
Rep. Mick Mulvaney distorts the truth regarding taxes, revenues, economic growth and President Obama’s deficit proposal.
He criticizes the president for including savings from the Afghanistan troop drawdown — just like the House Republicans did in the budget they passed last summer.He also claims there will be a “certain fix to Medicare reimbursements for doctors” of $300 billion. But Congress has waived this “fix” every time it has been slated to happen since it was first enacted. President Obama is proposing to actually get it done.
Finally, Rep. Mulvaney repeats the usual misinformation about the wealthy’s share of the tax burden by focusing only on federal income taxes, not payroll, state and sales taxes. He also ignores the difference between income and wealth.
Fact-checking Republican claims would help rationalize the current debate over taxes and economic growth.
Erik McKee
Manassas
Allegations against Cain are not about racism
Re: “A gauntlet Herman must run,” Nov. 3
Cal Thomas makes much ado about the liberal press giving Bill Clinton, Teddy Kennedy and John Edwards a free ride on their sexual escapades because the media favored their policies. Thomas seems to forget that the black Republican who sexually harassed Anita Hill got more than a free ride for his dalliances; he got to be a Supreme Court justice.
So let’s stop blaming racism and liberalism and demand that Cain explain his harassment towards women.
Florence Foelak
Alexandria
Expanding local roads makes no sense
Re: “$270m windfall to ease traffic jams,” Nov. 2
Investing $300 million in road construction near the huge expansions of military bases in the vicinity of Washington is one of the stupidest political ideas I have ever heard of. (I can actually think of a few more, but don’t get me started).
Why would we want to make such an investment on the verge of some of the most significant right-sizing of the federal establishment in decades, including the military?
If you want more long-term job creation, invest in ways to keep us out of future wars and in low-carbon ways to bring the jobs that do remain to those locations. That could be done for a fraction of $300 million.
Enough already with the nonsense and lack of true leadership in this town.
Kevin Chisholm
Candidate for U.S. Senate, Independent Green Party
Arlington
