Recently the question was asked, “Why does the Globe-Republican (Amarillo Globe News) allow letter writers to blatantly lie?“ I would like to ask the newspaper the same question in regards to Jayne Farris’ recently published letter.
Ms. Farris makes many outlandish claims that can be construed as lies, willful ignorance, brain washing, or just plain mental deficiency. Of these claims one of the most outlandish is this: “Democrats believe there should be fair and equitable taxation. Republicans believe that only the dwindling middle class should be taxed and the rich should be exempt.”
I wonder what fair and equitable taxation would be? Would that mean the current regressive tax system we have where the top 50% of wage earners pay approximately 96% of all individual income taxes, or does Ms. Farris want a flat tax for all wage earners? I am curious where she would set the bar. 4% would be just as fair as 100% just as long as everyone is taxed that way.
Another gross misstatement by Ms Farris is this: “Democrats believe workers should be paid for their production. Republicans believe all workers should remain in bondage and CEOs should have golden parachutes.”
I would like to see where she draws her conclusions. I have never heard anyone on the right say that people should “remain in bondage” in any form or fashion. I would also like to know what her problem with “Golden Parachutes” are. Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a $400 million retirement package? Golden Parachutes and high executive salaries are what makes junior executives and lower employees productive. CEO’s high earnings and large benefits packages are what people set their standards and goals by. I learned this in my economics class this summer. I am open to hear other opinions on the subject.
Somewhat out of sequence Farris makes the claim, “Democrats believe everyone should have access to health care. Republicans believe only the wealthy should have access to health care.”
This statement comes despite the fact that anyone can walk into an emergency room and receive more than adequate health care, no matter their income. Everyone has access to healthcare and I am unaware of any legislation or talking points from any politician that says anyone but the rich should have access to healthcare.
Continuing, Farris writes, “Democrats believe there should be an energy policy. Republicans believe that what is good for the Bush family and Dick Cheney is good for the country.”
Now I could be missing something here, but voting to keep ANWR closed is not much of an energy policy, not to mention these lines leave “non sequitur” lingering in my mind. I bet the mentioning of Bush and Cheney has something to do with Haliburton or “War for oil” rhetoric. Come to think of it, Bush and Cheney, if the war really is for oil, have done far more to ensure our energy independence than any democrat has. Maybe she is referring to Ted Kennedy’s Nantucket Sound energy policy.
So really, why does the Amarillo Globe News allow letter writers to blatantly lie?”