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Show WEDNESDAY. NOV. THE HERALD. Prcvo. Utah. 3. 1982 r Opinions The Herald, its readers, syndicated columnists and cartoonists discuss vital issues ar - Paee 31 W VI The Herald Comments U.S. Crime Decrease Great The FBI says the number of crimes reported in the country declined 5 percent January through June, the first drop in four years. But hang onto your wallet and continue with e all precautions. While the FBI report is encouraging, there's no assurance at this point of a sustained anti-crim- 1982 by NEA. Inc. "C'mon, mister, gimmie a break! I just ran for political office. Got any idea how much it COSTS to run for political office?" Pick West Down Among Tax Shelter Loopholes - WASHINGTON (UP1) time when the home-buildin- At a g industry is in a slump, it is good to learn tax shelter construction is booming. g This fall in places across the country there have been a series of "Zero-Tax- " seminars that could produce a flurry of tax shelter projects next spring. "If you've ever cheated on far-flun- your taxes, it wasn't necessary," the seminar sponsors as- sure us. "Good planning is the only legitimate alternative to paying taxes." Their brochure also advances the radical notion that "there is more to life than avoiding taxes." Just what, it does not say. I don't doubt that even in today's economy a tax shelter is still a good investment, particularly one away from urban areas and near a waterfall. A cozy little tax vine-cover- shelter just meant for two makes an ideal addition to the portfolio of a young married couple whose joint income is derived primarily from wages. Perhaps a few morning glories entwined around the loopholes would help give it a homey touch. I can't help fearing, however, that the tax shelter industry is on a collision course with the Internal Revenue Service. Every year about this time, the IRS announces it has simplified our income tax forms. Again. Next year, I gather, Form 1040 will be so uncomplicated we may have trouble staying awake long enough to finish it. Herein lies the sticking place. Tax shelters and tax simplifi cation just don't mix. We can have one or the other, but we can't have both. At least not simultaneously. Is there a danger that the tax form simplifiers will put the tax shelter seminarians out of business? Will the time ever come tors. If we have a state medical examiner who believes in such what credence can we give to any of his findings? It is completely illogical or scientific to believe that two apparently healthy individuals could be subject to that precise state of the infant body which precipitated their deaths at precisely the same time without there having been some environmental conditions present sufficient to bring on this condition: quality of the air, presence of carbon monoxide in the home, old wives-tale- s, overheating, etc. If they expired at different times under same or different bill 95-- 1 a few weeks just ago; anti-crim- e the House adopted a similar one a year ago (the two bills will go to conference committee); The "Zero-Tax- '' brochure from which I quote promises unequivocably that "there always will be" a loophole. Yet if the future finds us all paying the same rate on all income, with no deductions, exemptions or exclusions, not to mention rebates, discounts and allowances, it is plain that lawful tax avoidance will be eminently more difficult. And if the seminar sponsors are on the right track with the philosophy that "there is more to life than avoiding taxes," then taxpayers may come to value bingo parties and pepperoni pizza above loopholes. It would seem, however, that the entire culture of tax avoidance is based on the philosophy that it is better to suffer capitai losses than to let Uncle Sam usurp the money. The ultimate answer to the simplified tax form might be a simplified tax loophole that comes in kit form and that any fool can put together at home, using only a screwdriver. I'm not suggesting tax avoidance would be as semimuch fun as "Zero-Tax- " nars. But, as the saying goes, any old shelter in a storm. man's idea of freedom is a bit socialistic. He wants it to fit his way of thinking at the expense of other's freedom of speech, press, etc. Two other points: There isn't an ounce of pornography (according to the U.S. Supreme Court) sold anywhere in Utah. Second, any movie even considered racy isn't shown on Cable TV until after 10:30 - 11:00 p.m. Are your children up that hour, Mr. Bushman? Brent Mortensen 1742 S. State St. Orem conditions, it could then be attributed to presence of the tendency in both twins of being susceptible to the syndrome. The fact they were both lost at the same time might indicate a condition which could yet claim others if it were not corrected, and which did not show up at the autopsy. If certain unforseeable conditions or unknown combinations of condiUons or environment trigger this treacherous illness, certainly the time to investigate for them would be at a time when their existence is highly evident, as with the simultaneous loss of two infants. That two could contain the weakness is belie veable; but that it would be manifest at the same time without some influence is not. Grant W. MiWenhall 513 N. 200 E. American Fork President Reagan came out with an eight-poiprogram aimed es- minutes, 58 pecially at organized seconds, and a 8 sec- dential initiative, Reagan declared: "Crime is an American epidemic ... It takes the lives of over 20,000 persons a year ... and results in about $8.8 billion in losses." Among other items, the Senate bill is aimed at tighter bail regula- ing. On a state level, California voters took a sig- nificant step of their own last June by passing a "Victims' Bill of Rights." Constitutionality of the measo-call- ed sure recently was upheld by California's Supreme Court. During Senate debate, tions, witness-victiprotection, increased m Sen. Strom Thurmond, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and floor manager of S. 2572 which had 62 sponsors, gave these national statistics: penalties for drug traf- R-S.- C, d robbery onds. In launching the presi- crime and drug traffick- One-thir- a every burglary every nt sharper ficking, sen- tencing guidelines, and making kidnapping or assault of certain high-lev- government cials a federal crime. Some facets of of American households are victimized by crime each year. A crime occurs every 2.4 seconds, a murder every 23 minutes, rape of a woman every 6 el offianti-crim- e protection not covered in the Thurmond bill are or should be included in the measure Chiles-Nun- n which has been before the Senate since last May, including insanity defense and strengthened habeas corpus laws. This bill should not be forgotten. Besides the above initiatives, which can contribute importantly to crime control when finally adopted and imple- mented, other factors closer to home can greatly bolster the cam- paign. In this category might be listed stronger state and local laws, better law enforcement capabilities, tougher judicial policies, and better co- operation by families, churches, schools and community leaders. When all such facets are mobilized into a coordinated force, we can expect definite and solid gains against crime. Jack Anderson tion. He Questions Examiner's Conclusion Editor, Herald: It is not reasonable to presume that even identical twins could succumb at the exact same time of infant death syndrome without there being contributing fac- multi-facete- d may depend on what happens to the "flat rate" plan now being talked up on Capitol Hill and in other centers of circuitous taxa- Says Bushman Ignores Many Facets This letter is in response to Jess R. Bushman's letter of Oct. 24, to regulate cable TV. The way I see it, Mr. Bushman and the people who agree with him don't seem to be responsible for their own children. Let me propose this to Mr. Bushman. Let's suppose I'm not a Mormon, or not even religious. Now, I demand that LDS Conference and Brigham Young University devoUonals be banned from TV. There's a chance my child might come over to his house and have his mind influenced. I'm afraid Mr. Bush trend. There are signs, of course, that the politicians are beginning to respond to complaints that the public is fed up with the inroads of the lawbreakers. For example, the Senate passed a when there is no legitimate alternative to paying taxes? The answer to those questions Feedback Editor, Herald: change in the crime and - Ways, Means Lobby Strong WASHINGTON The 34 members of the House Ways and Means Committee are probably the most pampered and pressured group of lawmakers in the world. The reason is simple. Under the Constitution, "all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." And a carelessly or cleverly worded phrase or sentence in a tax bill even the omission or can placement of a comma mean literally millions of dollars saved or lost by an industry or even by a single company. In this high-stakgame, the services of professional lobbyists are essential. The corporate fatcats want to make sure their companies don't suffer from a badly written tax bill; ideally, they'd like to have the legislation worded in their favor. So to they hire lawyer-lobbyis"assist" the Ways and Means Committee, if possible, in draftor at least watch ing tax bills over the committee's shoulder and make suggestions. One way of winning friends and influencing members of this powerful committee, of course, is to contribute to their reelection campaigns. Both givers ts Almost all the lobbyists who and receivers stoutly deny that the few thousand dollars involved can buy a member's vote. But it helps to establish a cordial working basis, and in the case of legislation that may not otherwise concern a lawmaker, he may understandably go along with the suggestions of his friendly lobbyist. As one veteran influence-peddle- r put it in the language of lobbying: "He might see you as a player he likes to play with." With this in mind, I had my reporters Tony Capaccio, Dorothy Wegard and Jock Hatfield check the "scorecards" filed with the Federal Election Commission to identify the players and see how the game is being played these days. They found that Ways and made campaign contributions listed their occupation as either a attorney or technically accurate designation permitted by the election com- mission. Peering behind this smokescreen, we found only five who had not benefited from Big Lobby's largesse: Reps. Barber Conable, Bill Archer, Phil Crane. Robert Mat-su- i, and Sam Gibbons, committee members a. Those at the top of the lobbyists' gift list were Reps. Dan the comRostenkowski, mittee chairman, who got ., $8,-50- 6; James Shannon, $6,350; Frank Guarini, $6,010; James Hones, $5,475; Marty Russo, D-Il- members have received a total of at least Fortney Stark, Richard Gephardt, $4,256; Bill Frenzel, $4,250, and Wyche Fowler, Means Committee in campaign contributions during 1981-8- 2 from reprey sentatives of 35 Washington firms. The firms' clients range from oil companies to airlines, insurance companies to department stores, with one they all had thing in common an interest in specific tax legislation the committee was considering. $84,000 $5,-30- 6; $4,-50- 0; $4,216. law-lobb- The records show that four members of the prestigious Williams & Jensen law firm donated a total of $7,200 in 1981-8- 2 to 17 individual members of the Ways and Means Committee. Of that amount, $4,350 was given by lawyer-lobbyiDonald C Evans st who also donated $4,900 to various Senate campaigns. Five members of the equally influential law firm of Patton, Boggs and Blow donated a total of $5,500 to 12 committee members, mostly in $250 tickets to fundraising events. Thomas partner, Boggs, the also contributed $10,000 to various Senate races. best-know- n Boggs, whose mother, Rep. is not on the Lindy Boggs, committee, described his firm's contact with the Ways and Means Committee as "in the heavy category." The members he gave money to are his friends, he said, and he couldn't recall giving anyone "any real which he defined as money" more than $1,000. Former Committee Chairman Wilbur Mills put up $2,000 of the $2,500 his law firm donated to seven members, while former Internal Revenue Commissioner Donald Alexander contributed $3,350 of the $4,450 his law firm gave to committee members. "I'm glad to contribute," said Alexander. "I like the people. I respect them." Copyright, 1982, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. Tom Tiede What It WWIII Is Chemical War? FT. McCLELLAN, Ala. (NEA) - The sergeant puts his hands on the lectern, looks out over the class, and says he has good news and bad. The good news is that increasing numbers of militarists are beginning to doubt that the next war will be. nuclear. The bad news is it will probably be gas instead. Chuckles. "Now," the sergeant goes on, "our job is to prepare for that possibility. We have to accept the fact that it could happen. Toxic clouds may gather over the earth. Millions may die. You and I may die. We have to get readv for it." "Sergeant?" somebody asks. "What is it?" "I just wanted to know if we get a weekend pass first." Welcome to the U.S. Chemical School. It's a barrel of laughs. It's also a sobering reminder that threats to the peace are manifold. While protests rage regarding the potential of a nu- clear annihilation, the real concern may be the military's apparent preparation for a battle using gag. At least that's the real concern at Ft. McClellan. Five thousand troops are attending classes here this year that are designed to' condition them for the worst. The men and women, officers and enlisted people, are enrolled in as many as five months of instruction on the use and abuse were of chemical arms. They are learning how to protect themselves with cumbersome clothes and detoxification fluids. They are learning how to eat, drink and sleep in the fumes of death. And, ultimately, they are learning how to wipe out legions of battlefield opponents by shooting them with containers of poison. The poison comes in two forms: nerve and blister. And they may be the most hideous instruments of hate ever devised. Small amounts can torture victims for hours or days. Some agents can raise pancake welts over the entire body. Survival is possible, experts say, but death is often preferred. Indeed, the weapons are so terribly frightening they have been banned by convention for almost 60 years. The prohibition was created in Geneva, in 1925, shortly after chemical weapons were introduced during World War I. The United States was one of the first governments to ratify the protocol. That ratification, however, has never been absolute. America has all along maintained a gas potential. The military was testing various agents even as the civilian government was signing the treaty, and by the time World War II occurred there , 69.000 soldiers in the U.S. Chemical Corps. And it may be a good thing the nation didn't ban the weapons completely. Their limited use was most effective against the Germans. For example: during the fighting at Anzio, in Italy, the United States saved thousands of lives by secreting troop movements with a screen of smoke nearly three miles long. But smoke is not a killer. And its good work may have been nullified, at least emotionally, when the Army went on to test more harmful substances after the war. Many of the tests took place in Utah. Some of them got out of hand. At one time, the tests killed 6,400 sheep near Salt Lake City. From then on it seemed the service could do no right with the chemicals. Not even get rid of them. The nation was outraged when it learned that the armed forces were disposing of outdated chemical ordnance by sealing it in concrete and scuttling it in the ocean off the Eastern Seaboard. Eventually, the outrage forced government action. In 1369 President Richard Nixon ordered an end to further production of chemical materials. He left the existing supplies largely in effect of place, but the over-athe directive was to undercut and downgrade the importance ll of the Chemical Corps. That undercutting was more or less completed in 1973. By then the corps' major responsibilities had been given to other Army units, and the branch strength was reduced to 1,300 men. Eventually, the Pentagon "disestablished" the corps, and after 50 years of service it was thought to be at the end. Yet the stockpiles of gas wuc maintained. The United States has 40.000 tons of the ordnance in depots as far apart as an island in the Pacific Ocean and a leased military post in Europe. The full count includes 630,000 warheads; that means the nation has 605,000 more chemical bombs than nuclear bombs. The deadly stockpile is said to be one of the first things reconsi- dered when Ronald Reagan moved into the White House in 1981. And within months he moved to reestablish it arj a credible arm of the nation's defense. Doing that, he also helped rescue the Army Chemical Corps from extinction. That corps is now tied closely lo Ft. McClellan's chemical school. And the instructors and students here seem to agree that the rescue was in the nick of time. They claim to abhor the prospects of gas warfare, but they insist that the nation must have the capability to fight it if necessary. |