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Show "' tmir f ' gait T!lc Section James Wiegliart fibwu fcxkc Sunday Morning, September 19, 1976 Fage I Teddy Defeats Anti Forces 1 Latest Income Tax Reform Bill Makes Few Basic Changes If theres a way to reform federal income tax laws, actually reform them so they become both fair and easily understood by the average person making out an income tax form. Congress hasnt found it. The voluminous measure House and Senate conferees hammered together after three years work is as intricate and complex as any tax laws passed before. i In its 1,500-pag- income tax e revision bill, Congress avoided extensive fundamental change. Essentially, what was accomplished was the tightening of some loopholes, the renewal of previous reductions and an overall balancing that increased rather than cut federal revenues. But in the process, new loopholes were opened, the prospect for more Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations was assured. When rewriting the tax laws got started, hopes were high for genuine reform, a thorough housecleaning that would discard old and encourage new concepts. That proved to be a futile expectation. Responding in usual fashion to the many contending and conflictig pressures let loose by tax reform, Congress did tne politically expedient thing. Most existing antiinflation tax cuts were retained, such as 10 percent credit for indusanti-recessi- on tries making capital improvements and the $35 per person individual tax credit. CongifivA - f- A AAmnlotnfa frAm VA w in middle income MtVOV brackets that the wealthy were escaping a fair share of taxes, Congress sealed off some of those avenues, such as raising the minimum tax on preferential tax benefits from 10 to 15 percent and limiting deductions of interest on investment financing to the amount of New York News Sen. Edward M. Kenm the Massachusetts Win lopsided nedys primary last Tuesday hardly rated more than a mention outside his home commonwealth. After all, he is a Kennedy with 14 years in the United States Senate behind him which, along with the family fortune, gave him a strong hold WASHINGTON investment income plus $10,000. But for the most part, tax shelters were only narrowed, not elimirated. Further, in the give and take, the natural compromising that goes on while a bill of this kind moves toward eventual passage, a number of new maximum; the estate tax H 1 - iuvuuj illCl C Uum iu uv Cl reasonably intelligible way to compute and assess an income tax, a system that doesnt defy elemental capacities to read and do arithmetic. There ought to be. But until the less than ideal political intrusions Congress and the White House constantly encounter vanish, there won't be. y u-- court-ordere- Actually, the half dollar is threatened because of its size. The Because an auto mechanic works with batteries and antifreezes is it necessary he or she take advanced courses in physical chemistry? Hardly. But there is a tendency for vocational education schools to increase the number of general education courses in their institutions. Dr. Walter D. Talbot, state superintendent of public instruction,' has proposed to the State Board of Vocational Education, overseers of curriculum at the states technical colleges, that their courses be specifi- - The Public Forum Too Coi'tlv it had been the other way around the news media would have, as usual, made headlines of Editor. Tribune: After leiurthv discussions with local cat owners and breeders, I would like to pass on our feelings on cat licensing. We feel that cat licensing will penalize responsible cat owners by taxing them to finance enforcement of the law broken by the irresponsible owners. Not only would this be an additional tax burden on cat lovers, but the cost of enforcing this law would be higher more animal control officers, paperwork, etc. and in the end, all taxpayers will end up paying. Dog licensing laws have not controlled the stray dog population; why should it work for cats? We feel the best way to handle the situation is educating the public. Neutering, spaying and keeping cats (and dogs) under control should only be a beginning. People don't want more laws and taxes; therefore, they should be given the opportunity to solve the problem without government interference. GERALD WISE For Cats' Sake Club that faet. . As it was, the preservationists were given, in The Tribiuie, disproportionate coverage and even the last words, stupid as they were namely, Minerals in the ground are savings accounts in the bank drawing compound interest or better. Translated, this means by government action, handicap and this nation so that both will fail and socialism can occupy the void, thereby enabl-in- g government coipoiduuna tu uae uie minerals thus reserved for them, at the cost of freedom and efficiency. The Sept. 8 and 9 Task Force was manned very strongly by scientists who listened predominantly to scientists and engineers. Such a gathering, aiming at facts and figures t, is not, instead of emotion and therefore, to the liking of preservationists who prefer to talk to politicians, such as Sen. Moss and Mayor Wilson, in a meeting that can be with grammar and high school packed students and college s DOOLEY P. WHEELER Editor, Tribune: Mr. Wagner seemed quite upset (Forum, Sept. 101 that the Christian principle has not been applied by the citizens in the case of Allan Howe. It is evident the worthy gentleman is so far removed from these principles he lacks understanding. Repentance, as applied, is the recognition of wrongdoing, a sincere sorrow for this error, and restitution. With these steps, all Christians are required by their laws to forgive. I havent seen these s'eps as yet. After being convicted twice, by witnesses who have voluntarily taken lie detector tests, Triangle Institute of Raleigh, N.C., recommended that the nation needs a dollar coin smaller than the present cartwheel popular at gambling tables and some race tracks. Since, in the institutes words, room exists for only one usable coin of such dimensions, the 50 cent piece should give way. No doubt there once was good reason for minting half dollars. But in todays vending machine world, which is built around nickles, dimes and quarters, 50 cent pieces are numismatic notliing balls. Indeed, the time may not be far off when only Tooth Fairy can an inflation-buffete- d put them to great, good use. Furum Rules Public Forum letters must be submitted exclusively to The Tribune and bear writer's full name, signature and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reasons on ethers. Writers are limited to one letter every 10 days Preference will be given to short, typewritten (double spaced) letters permitting use of the writers true name. All letters are subject to condensation. Mail to the Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, Box 867. Salt Lake City. Utah. 84110. programs. Dr. Talbots proposal makes considerable sense, primarily because it will save the taxpayers of Utah a pile of money by eliminating, or avoiding, duplicated faculty across the states post high school education system. Also, his suggestion seems to coincide with the intention of the Legislature when it set up the states system of vocational (raining. Flare to Ride argue very general education courses wont help a student to better understand the "whys of their jobs. Dr. Talbot cites the ease of medical or dental assistants who would directly benefit from courses in genetics. The mechanic we mentioned would probably benefit from high school level courses in physics or chemistry, but upper level university studies in subatomic parti-- ( wjld le a wale of his time and taxpayer money. l- Expansion the number of general education courses, primarily at Utah Techical College at Provo, has been justified because the Legislature has authorized the technical colleges to grant associate of science degrees. If that is the case, the Legislature erred. Conferring such d degrees, if there is sufficient academic reason to justify them, should be the exclusive realm of the states liberal arts institutions. bob-taile- On a dear day you can see the poorhouse. I j eo-ed- Led to Ruin Editor, Tribune: Eugene Wagner (Forum, 10) contends that since the Lord let King David stay in office although David committed adultery and murder, Allan Howe should be retained in office in spite of being convicted of soliciting sex. It's true that the Lord did not dethrone David, but neither did the Lord dethrone Jeroboam, Baaslia, Omri. Aliaz, or most of the other wicked kings of Israel and Judah. He allowed them to lead their nations to eventual destruction. Unlike ancient Israel, in our nation the leaders are elected by the people. The Lord will allow us to elect men no matter how low or high their moral standards are, but to say' we should return Hcwe to office simply because the Lord permitted immoral kings to rule is very poor logic. LINDSEY P. DEW Sept. A Campaign Debt ! Editor, Tribune: Commissioner Dunns proposed motorbike park at Decker Lake has generated tremendous enthusiasm among recreational motorcycle riders. The recreational use of motorbikes has become a major sport in the United States for young people and adults alike As a result, a critical need for regulated and safe riding areas has developed. Kids on motorbikes are chased off vacant lots and fields with no place to ride their bikes Commissioner Dunn's idea is a much needed first step toward solving this problem. Cyclists don't want people mad at them, but they do need place to ride safely M RK MURPHY Ixi! Vv tnls cliijiiil Editor, Tribune: The hearings conducted Sept. 8 and 9 m the Salt Palace by the Interior Department Mineral Lands Availability Task Force had approximately 40 speakers favoring encouragement of mmerdl development on federal lands, and only two shakers, hereinafter referred to as preservationists, favoring obstruction of such development by means of wilderness, wiki liver, primitive and roadless areas, etc., and by new laws such as the BLM Organic Act, and leasing substituted for the Mining Law of 1972 In spite of the fact that the hearings were nationally proclaimed far in advance, the such as the Sierra Club preservationists, members, were outnumbered at least 20 to 1. If ( then-Hous- , ; court-ordere- one-side- ' - anti-liber- al court-ordere- d n Editor, Tribune: Gov. Rampton not only owes the people of Utah who supported Mr. Creer an apology, but he also owes Mr. Creer every penny he spent on his campaign. How Mr. Rampton will justify the hours I spent (very pregnant and accompanied by two small children) delivering Creer literature when with a mere flic of your beak all the physical and emotional effort of many people went down the drain? This is as stupid as Reagan supporting Hatch. Cant the people of Utah deeide between candidates without the advice of a big Daddy? Im disappointed in my fellow Utahns and in my governor. I doubt that Ill support Mr. Matheson for in my opinion he did not w in fair and square. MRS. EVAN R. TERRY JR. door-to-do- he maintains he did nothing Public officials must be like Caesars wife, above reproach. When representing people, the officials should be the epitome of all they represent. When the congressman said he would resign if convicted, then reneged, who is to trust him People change, for the worse as well as better. Lets let Mr. Howe go through the process of repentance, then request his job back. I am indeed sorry that he does not recognize he is lusting Hie Demon alii pm tv a seat ill Congress. There are none so blind as those who will not see JACK E. BINKERD Bountiful caliy related to vocational training of head-coun- Can't See persuasively that in some instances Tlie Grunt Cartoon Another challenger was Frederick C. Langone, 54, a Boston city councilman who also ran as an opponent of "big brother federal government that he claims stems from the kind of liberal social programs that Kennedy hds supported. Late Withdrawal A third opponent, Bernard Shannon of Stoughton, ran against Teddy largely on the issue, but withdrew and threw his support to Dinsmore in order not to fragment the sentiment, even though he did so too late to have his name removed from the ballot. The challenge to Kennedy on Tuesday was the first primary contest he had faced since he initially won the nomination in 1962 in a bitter race with Edward J. McCormack Jr., the e nephew of Speaker John W. McCormack, Kennedy w as about the uiily one who took this fight seriously. He camyears intra-part- y paigned intensively throughout the state, particularly outside Boston, and spent an estimated $300,000, much to the amazement of political pros who regarded his renoirn nation as a cinch. Landslide Victory - At firut hhich TuacHavc Olild taild to support this its in the bag" complacency. Teddy won by a landslide carrying 74 percent of the vote statewide to 16 percent for Dinsmore, 8 percent for Langone and 2 percent for Shannon. In Boston, where antibusing fervor was strongest as a result of two years of d busing, agitation stemming from Teddy won a 53 percent majority of the vote. d But to dismiss Kennedys expected victory as preordained would I think, be a serious miscalculation of the latent political power m the swirling undercurrents of social discontent that afflict the body politic in 1976 America, particularly in the Democratic party. Assessed Danger It would also be a disservice to Kennedy, who correctly assessed the potential danger he faced from the anti forces, but did not trim his sails on any of these issues. Aside from antibusing and antiabortion, Kennedy was also the target of several other negative movements, including antigun control and the syndrome. Evidence of the force of the backlash among Democratic voters in Massachusetts was displayed last March in the Democratic Presidential primary when Sen. , who campaigned Henry M. Jackson, hard against busing, came in first in a field of mne with 22.7 percent of the vote and Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace, who was against busing, abortion and gun control, came in third with 17.1 percent. Boston Results In Boston, Wallace came in first and Jackson second. Wallace ran ahead of his statewide average in areas in the western part ot Massachusetts, where gun control was a major issue, and in Holyoke, where forces were strong. Kennedy did not learn anything he didn't already know from the presidential primary results'. About 18 months earlier he was egged, spat upon, and roughed up in downtown Boston when he tried to urge restraint at an g rally just prior to the 1974 school anti-aborti- mints study, made by the Research No one is going to f f d anti-busin- g Wrong Courses, Wrong Places If ,.L1. busing. Half Dollars Dilemma A study made for the United States Mint confirms what just about everyone else concluded long ago: the penny could be eliminated. And, says the study, the half dollar should also be dropped. Frankly, we have never given the half dollar much thought. Its easy to see why the penny should go now that even most parking meters scorn it. Its demise would mean that everything would have to be rounded off to the nearest five or zero, but so what? The 50 cent piece, however, should be enjoying increased popularity in these high price times. Apparently, thats not the case. t L r L f .; nation even against a formidable challenger. political measuring And, by most of the sticks, Teddys competition was dearly les.- than formidable. First, there was Robert E. Dinsmore. a Milton, Mass., attorney whose chief claim to fame was his support of Boston citv council president Iziuise Day Hicks long. school unsuccessful fight against ex- emption was increased from $00,000 to $120,000 next year and $175,625 by 1981 ; the tax-fre- e profit on sale of a home by an owner 65 and older was raised from $20,000 to $35,000 and the retirement income credit was simplified and expanded so the elderly can cut their taxes as much as $375 a year. These benefits are expected to subtract some $16 billion from federal revenues. But the tightening up is supposed to more than compensate, generating $1.6 billion more in tax collections next fiscal year. That at least helps forestall enlarging the federal deficit. This years tax bill has been faulted for not fitting into a recognizable plan to permanently strengthen the nations economy. Or for not effectively tackling the piolilerafion of shelters, credits and all the other legal levers which tend to shift the tax burden unfairly. Above all, its criticized because rather than simplify tax procedures, it makes them more bewildering. f on the Democratic partys senatorial nomi- exclusions, deductions and exemptions were created. Working parents are now entitled to a tax credit of 20 costs, up to an percent of child-car- e $800 x Lnjovalile LxjKrieiUe Editor, Tribune: Regarding your editorial. "Think Twice About Mexico, since the Wall Street Journal has reported that American tourists in Mexico have been "arrested oil flimsy charges, I assume that there must be a few isolated instances in which this has occurred. However, I wonder how carefully Rep. Stark investigated the matter. After all. it is much easier for a returned tourist who had been arrested to claim it was a bum rap than to admit he had engaged in illegal conduct. In any case, I am a middle-age- d woman who spent the past summer in Mexico and drove over 3,000 miles alone without ever encountering anything but courtesy and helpfulness from Mexican authorities and private citizens alike. In Torreon, when I became lost and went Into a police station to ask directions, the officer in charge dispatched a police car to lead me to my motel. This is typical of the treatment I received during my entire trip, and many tourists I nii--t tuld similar stories. In fact, I did not encounter any American tourists who had anything but praise for the way they had been treated. Further, in every city in which I stopped, I talked to Americans who either have retired in Mexico or regularly spend part of the year there, and I never met anyone who had been arrested on flimsy charges. Therefore, I believe that more investigation should be made as to the truth of Rep. Starks allegations before you advise "Americans to stay away from Mexico." My recent trip was my most enjoyable experience in many years, and of all the great beauties of Mexico, I found th greatest to be the kindness and lnendilness of her people. SI1ANNA J. McGEE. Ill D. anti-busin- opening. Dogged and Heckled He was dogged and heckled by and groups in Boston and other anti-busse- ra n parts of the state throughout this campaign, even though he held numerous private meet ings with representatives of these groups in an effort to discuss and defend his views in a rational way. It is to Teddys everlasting credit that dospito the unpleasantness and, at times, danger, he refused to back down and stuck to his positions Instead, he campaigned hard and plugged for the programs he has fought for in the Senate health care, public service jobs, aid for the cities and the like. anti" critics, well, he didnt As for his convert them, but he beat tlmm and did so convincingly. (Copyright) Visiting Cartoonir-- t - r What do I think now? |
