| OCR Text |
Show Reply to U.S. C. of C. President Dear Jack: The March 2 edition of the Vernal Express Ex-press contained an editorial by Richard L. Lesher, President, Chamber of Commerce Com-merce of the United States. I feel that this venemous editorial demands a reply, rep-ly, and I am enclosing a copy of a letter I have written to Mr. Lesher. I hope you might find space to publish it. Incidentally, Jack, I would like to compliment com-pliment you on your paper, it is without question tops in its class. We have continued con-tinued our subscription since leaving Vernal in 1971, and thoroughly enjoy being be-ing able to keep track of our old acquaintances acquain-tances and the many changes taking place in and around Vernal. Sincerely, DEAN C. ROWLAND Dear Mr. Lesher: This is in reply to your editorial, "COLAs Responsible for Half the National Na-tional Debt," which appeared in the Vernal Ver-nal Express, Vernal, Utah, March 2, 1983. Of course the COLAs have cost some money, but have you given any thought to what the cost would have been without the COLAs? Many of the government retirees, especially those who have been retired for 10 or more years, would now be eligible for food stamps and other welfare payments, probably costing the government equally as much as the COLAs. Aren't these retirees entitled to live independent and dignified lives with a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed before retirement? I wonder too why you have singled out government retirees on which to vent your venom. Surely you must know that many private retirement plans, and many labor contracts are tied to the Consumer Con-sumer Price Index. These excessively high wages and six and seven figure salaries of business executives, doctors, lawyers, etc. result in higher product and services costs, which impact John Q. Public just as much as do taxes. It is nice to know that you are concerned concern-ed about the national debt, as it will be the ruination of this great country if this trend is not reversed, and soon. Perhaps you would like to lobby Congress to outlaw tax-free industrial bonds, and to repeal the crazy law-that permits one f company to sell its tax write-offs to se- cond companyso the second company , can get a rebate on taxes paid out in earlier years. Both of these proposals will save more money than would be saved sav-ed by eliminating COLAs. Other money-saving proposals would include putting a lid on tax exempt income. in-come. Put a stop to bailing out the international inter-national bankers. Get on top of welfare cheating and fraud. Furnish school lunches lun-ches below cost only to hardship cases. : Tax church property except for the actual ac-tual house of worship. Curtail congressional congres-sional junkets. Tax barge companies commensurate with services received. Eliminate the tobacco subsidy. Step up collection of delinquent student loans. Do a better job of screening grants, as far too many are made for useless projects, and for projects which should be financed financ-ed locally. These are but a few of the projects on which you might like to expend your considerable con-siderable literary talents. The answer is not to beat the retirees into the ground, but to bring down inflation, then there will be no COLAs. Sincerely. DEAN C. ROWLAND |
