Passing the bill will create a monetary nightmare

Passing the bill will createa monetary nightmare
EDITOR:
Recently I read an article in my local newspaper that referred to a bill, H.R. 1474, which has to do with eliminating paper check processing between banks.
The article stated this bill passed unanimously in the U.S. House (obviously in the dead of night when no one is paying attention), and according to the article, faces little opposition from the U.S. Senate, where it is expected to be considered by the end of June.
I cannot imagine doing business without having paper checks to verify transactions between myself and my bank. Upon calling my bank to ask about this bill and what it means for bank customers like myself, I was not given a clear answer that the banks really understand what this bill will really do or not do. My question is, why has this bill been run through like this without any public knowledge given to us by our legislators?
In contacting the offices of Sens. Specter and Santorum, I learned that their employees did not know of this bill, and upon hearing my concerns and looking the bill up, they were shocked at this turn of events. Somewhere within the article it stated that this bill is a concern within the banking industry, that this bill could foster fraud. I would certainly agree that is exactly what this bill will do, as well as cause a host of other problems, both for consumers and banks.
I have let my bank, my congressman's and senators' offices know about my concerns regarding this bill. I would urge everyone to learn of this bill and to contact their U.S. congressmen and U.S. senators, letting them know what a dangerous move this bill is for consumers and banks.
I quote Rep. Melissa Hart from Pennsylvania, who stated in the article I read, "It is a win for consumers and a win for the banking industry." This is total hogwash. This bill will do nothing but create a monetary nightmare and more insecurity for banking consumers and the banking industry.
ANNE V. FURNO
Meadville, Pa.
Tax relief package will helpmany area married couples
EDITOR:
When Congressman Ryan voted against the recently passed Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Act of 2003, was he at all aware of the benefits this bill provided for the thousands of married couples with children who live in his district and earn between $25,000 and $50,000 a year? He should have been, because a decent percentage of these families voted for him last November.
First of all, the standard deduction was raised nearly $2,000 -- from $7,600 to $9,500 for those filing jointly. This effectively removed the tax penalty for being married. In addition, the child tax credit was raised from $600 to $1,000. Of course, if you are not paying at least $1,000 a year in federal taxes you will not receive the full credit, but why should you? This child tax credit also begins to get phased out if you file jointly and are earning over $110,000 a year.
I hear from Congressman Ryan how this tax relief package only benefits the wealthy and not the "working family." Don't those of you who make over $60,000 to $70,000 realize that you really don't work for your money? I, however, fall into the $25,000 to $50,000 category and am benefiting greatly from President Bush signing this bill. Because my wife and I are expecting our second child in a couple of months, my 2003 federal tax bill is going to decrease by a minimum of 65 percent from last year. I doubt if anyone earning six figures can say that.
I am a registered Democrat, but if the Republican-controlled Senate and House keep passing legislation such as this, I am going to have a hard time justifying voting for a Democratic candidate in the future.
DAVID MEESE
Youngstown