Pinthouse Pizza
When Is Enough Enough?
RECEIVED Wed., Feb. 18, 2004
Mr. Black,
While taxation to provide essential infrastructure and order is a necessity, many (myself included) do not see how the benefits outweigh the harm caused by taking money out of the citizenry's pockets, especially in Travis County. I do not see how increasing already-high tax levels will improve social inequity without first reorganizing the structure and culture of government. "Logical consequences of several hundred years of history" does not excuse criminal behavior ["Page Two," Feb. 13]. As a minority, I find it deplorable that anyone would choose to blame this as the root cause of crime or lack of opportunity. A majority of the criminals in the U.S. have options other than crime; they could find work somewhere. The "logical consequences ... of history" of oppressed peoples results in a resilience found in many honest hardworking people who do not commit crimes against society. Wasting taxpayer monies on social welfare programs that are run inefficiently will do little to correct a history of injustice. They are necessary, yet they are mismanaged and shortsighted. You argue that conservatives see the playing field as "level" when it is clearly not. I agree, this problem has been passed along to police and other institutions. However, the police are best suited to provide enforcement when people show a lack of personal responsibility and break the law. I would like you to please explain when, and more importantly how, will the injustices of the past be corrected through government policy without causing more harm to the financial well-being of the community as a whole? When is enough enough? You have presented plenty of sound bites yet no solutions. We are all guilty of this.
While taxation to provide essential infrastructure and order is a necessity, many (myself included) do not see how the benefits outweigh the harm caused by taking money out of the citizenry's pockets, especially in Travis County. I do not see how increasing already-high tax levels will improve social inequity without first reorganizing the structure and culture of government. "Logical consequences of several hundred years of history" does not excuse criminal behavior ["Page Two," Feb. 13]. As a minority, I find it deplorable that anyone would choose to blame this as the root cause of crime or lack of opportunity. A majority of the criminals in the U.S. have options other than crime; they could find work somewhere. The "logical consequences ... of history" of oppressed peoples results in a resilience found in many honest hardworking people who do not commit crimes against society. Wasting taxpayer monies on social welfare programs that are run inefficiently will do little to correct a history of injustice. They are necessary, yet they are mismanaged and shortsighted. You argue that conservatives see the playing field as "level" when it is clearly not. I agree, this problem has been passed along to police and other institutions. However, the police are best suited to provide enforcement when people show a lack of personal responsibility and break the law. I would like you to please explain when, and more importantly how, will the injustices of the past be corrected through government policy without causing more harm to the financial well-being of the community as a whole? When is enough enough? You have presented plenty of sound bites yet no solutions. We are all guilty of this.
Alex Aguirre