Tax structure punishes creators of jobs, housing Re: “Today is give to the max day,” Nov. 8
In their op-ed, Terri Lee Freeman and Bill Hanbury urge us to give generously to take care of the hungry and homeless. But why, in our prosperous region, are so many people hungry and/or homeless?
The lack of affordable housing islinked to the high price of land, which is because of the wrong kind of property tax. We tax buildings,thereby punishing people for creating housing. We should tax only land instead, making speculation and artificial sprawl unprofitable.
With land taxes higher, we could cut other taxes. Then we wouldn’t be punishing people for creating jobs. The result would be more jobs and less hunger.
Nicholas D. Rosen
Arlington
Conservatives must be able to counter sex card
Re: “Fifth woman raises questions about Cain’s behavior,” Nov. 7
When liberals play the race card, conservatives have to be prepared to counter it with a card of their own. Likewise the rape card, by which I mean suggestion of any sexual impropriety.
If we don’t confront what the other side does, and whyit doesit, we leave ourselves weak. It’s better to deal with reality as it is, since we are not living in a post-racial society, and won’t be for some time.
And there will never be a post-sexist society.
Sharon Kass
Silver Spring
Airplanes fixed faster than Metro escalators
Re: ” Metro raises projected costs for system upkeep to $13.3 billion,” Nov. 3
Now Metro wants $13 billion more to reverse decay. Escalators were mentioned. It is a disgrace how long they are out of service for maintenance.
Consider that it takes anywhere from three weeks to two months to put an airliner through what is known as a “D check”. During this inspection, the aircraft is essentially rebuilt.
So why does it take Metro two to three months to rebuild a single escalator? I can only imagine how long would it take to rebuild an airplane ifthe airlines’ maintenance facilities were operated likeMetro.
I conclude the problem is because of Metro’s poor management and nonsensical labor policies.
Dale Bryan
Arlington
