Letters on Laffer’s failed theories, death penalty, fight for rights, bad driving, Oscar favorites
Kansas committed to failed economic theories
Gov. Sam Brownback did not mention the budget in his State of the State address, as he is committed to following Arthur Laffer’s economic theories. Laffer’s research claimed that from 2002 to 2012, 62 percent of the net new jobs in America were created in the nine states without an income tax. That sounds impressive, but most of the growth was in Texas in a carefully chosen time period when job growth was strong because of oil revenues and population growth. The other eight states didn’t fare so well until averaged in with Texas.
Laffer ignored the nine states with the highest income taxes. Those states had higher economic growth, a much smaller decline in household income, and almost exactly the same average unemployment rate.
Cutting the top tax rates in Kansas has shifted more of the tax burden to sales taxes, property taxes and government fees. Dave Serchuk put it best a few years ago writing for Forbes magazine: “Economist Arthur Laffer has had a long, distinguished career. Unfortunately one of the things that has distinguished it is that he has often been extremely wrong.”
Yet Kansas is committed to following Laffer’s theories.
JC Moore, Kechi
Abolish death penalty
Activists for repeal of the death penalty are convinced that the time is right to abolish the death penalty in Kansas.
There are many reasons why Kansas should get rid of capital punishment. One is that the death penalty is fiscally irresponsible. A death penalty case can cost up to four times more than a case for life imprisonment.
Another compelling argument for repeal lies in the human aspect, both on the part of the victim and the accused. The media regularly report exoneration cases in which new scientific methods clear innocent people of their conviction and sentence. However, the release from prison does not take away the stigma of having been on death row, nor restore the time lost from their lives while awaiting death. Repeal is the only way to ensure that an innocent person does not die because of false witness testimony, corruption or honest mistakes made in the justice system.
To learn more about the death penalty in Kansas and how to join the coalition for repeal, visit ksabolition.org. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to vote for repeal during the 2016 legislative session.
Dianna Carter, McPherson
Join the fight for all
As I was reading “In Wichita, Muslims find hate, support” (Jan. 17 Insight), I kept asking myself: Will the Muslim community join in the fight for rights for everyone?
Many people do hate, but there are a lot who stand with the Muslim community, as The Eagle article stated.
But many in the Muslim community never seem to stand with Hispanics or the black community when it comes to immigration, voter rights or criminal justice issues.
You don’t see the Muslim community come out for health care, housing or economic development in poorer neighborhoods, but it will be Muslim refugees who will receive all these rights and privileges that others in this country are fighting for.
I deplore the bigotry against Islam and the Muslim community by some of our elected officials and some citizens enough to fight against it. I just wish the Muslim community deplored it enough to stand with me and others as we fight. They need to get into the fight.
They are not the only community that is scared. Blacks and Hispanics would love to just go about their day not worrying about deportations, incarceration, lack of jobs and other systemic issues that we are confronted with every day.
It’s time to join the fight for equality for all.
Reuben Eckels, Wichita
Bad driving habits
A recent conversation with some friends showed me how we all have a low opinion of the driving around Wichita. How long has it been since The Eagle did a story about Wichita’s bad driving habits?
One particular complaint is the frequent use of bright headlights at night. It’s obvious when one headlight is half as bright as the other that the driver should be fixing that headlight.
Matthew Roe, Wichita
Oscar favorites
Of the 11 movies I saw in 2015, my favorite performances, in order, were by Bryan Cranston in “Trumbo,” Tom Hardy in “The Revenant” and Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Revenant.” I saw half of the films nominated for best picture in the Academy Awards. I do not consider “Mad Max: Fury Road” worthy of a nomination. My favorite film from 2015 was “McFarland, USA.”
The debate, or controversy, about the lack of racial diversity in the Academy Award nominations is a subject important to many. I have heard the film “Concussion” referred to in the diversity conversation. Will Smith did a good job in his portrayal of the physician Bennet Omalu, but his performance did not leave me thinking “wow.” The movie was good, but to me it was more like a very well done made-for-TV movie.
I don’t have the interest or the emotional energy to engage in the Academy Award diversity argument, and so I will continue to watch what I watch and enjoy what I enjoy.
Bill Rodgers, Wichita
Letters to the Editor
Include your full name, home address and phone number for verification purposes. All letters are edited for clarity and length; 200 words or fewer are best. Letters may be published in any format and become the property of The Eagle.
Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Wichita Eagle, 825 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67202
E-mail: letters@wichitaeagle.com
Fax: 316-269-6799
For more information, contact
Phillip Brownlee at 316-268-6262, pbrownlee@wichitaeagle.com.
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on Laffer’s failed theories, death penalty, fight for rights, bad driving, Oscar favorites."