Federal estate tax helps to maintain democracy

Federal estate tax helps to maintain democracy
EDITOR:
The proposal by President Bush to eliminate the estate ("death") tax has received a great deal of favorable attention. Arguments against it have not been mentioned so often and should be included in the general debate. The following reasons explain why the proposal is not a good idea:
1. The present arrangement already allows for a generous treatment of children. Nothing further is needed.
2. It would widen the gulf between rich and poor and thereby undermine our democratic system.
3. It would transfer wealth from the entrepreneurs who acquired the fortune to those who had done nothing to earn it and thereby undermine the free enterprise system. In effect, a class of parasites would follow a class of wealth creators.
4. It would shift more taxes from those best able to pay to those less able.
5. It would reject the principle that those who have benefited the most from the community have a responsibility to give back the most.
D. L. McKEE
New Wilmington
Sales-tax holiday a boon for farmers and ranchers
EDITOR:
On behalf of families in rural communities, I urge readers to support a bill that would eliminate the sales tax on computers for a few days a year. Senate Bill 56, which would provide a "sales-tax holiday" on computers, is a small step that that would make a world of difference to farmers struggling to make ends meet.
With the cost of production on the rise and the price of commodities falling, our farmers and ranchers need new tools like computers to help them stabilize or expand their business.
The few hundred dollars these people could save with a sales-tax holiday would be the difference necessary to allow them to afford a computer for their home or small business.
We cannot let our children fall behind in a world where computers are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Only 39 percent of Americans in rural communities across the country own computers. In Ohio, less than half of families own computers and only four in 10 are connected to the Internet. We owe it to our children to change that.
A sales-tax holiday would clearly help lower a barrier that is preventing too many farmers and ranchers getting access to computers. I urge your readers to contact your legislators and express your support for this important legislation.
JOSEPH P. LOGAN
Kinsman
X The writer is the immediate past president of the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees.
Austintown part-time firefighters embattled
EDITOR:
After reading a recent letter to the editor, we, the members of the Austintown part-time firefighters, feel we have to respond.
The writer's information was one-sided and incomplete. Fact is, he is a close friend of the president of the full-time firefighters union. His letter was totally uncalled for.
The full-time union and the fire chief are battling over the ambulance service and are using the part-time firefighters as pawns in this battle. Part-time manpower has been at the lowest staffing level in 15 years. In the last two years, we have taken a $3-an-hour pay cut and a cut in hours by the township trustees and the fire chief to help fund the fire department. Now, we are caught up in the middle of the ambulance battle. We, the part-time firefighters, have always provided the best service and dedication possible and will continue to do so.
WALTER S. DONITZEN Jr.
Austintown
X This letter was signed by Donitzen and 22 other part-time firefighters.