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Israel: Not a Charitable Nonprofit

With interest, I read Annette Thomas' letter in your Sept/Oct 2004 issue, as the title was "US Taxpayers Fund Palestinian Heartache". Thus, I'd hoped she'd have mentioned that Israel is the ONLY nation to which US taxpayers who donate to its government can deduct that donation from their taxable income on our tax returns. If I were to donate $1000 to the Lebanese government (where many Palestinian refugee camps are), I could not "take it off my income tax"; if I donated it to Israel, I could. Is this fair? Is it a valid way to increase our federal deficit?

Winfield Hutton, Shoreline

Bush's Second Big Lie: Social Security

The Bush regime is a master of spin, deception and mendacity. They need to be to sell their radical plans for an America none of us will recognize. For they envision an America at continual war, led by God, with an unbelievably wealthy elite and the rest of us with no safety net, no retirement, no public schools and desperate for jobs sent offshore.

Here's how it works. Want a long sought goal of an Iraq invasion? Bypass the usual intelligence agencies and rely on "information" from parallel groups stuffed with right-wing radicals. Sell the docile media and trusting citizens on "weapons of mass destruction". What, no WMDs? Tell 'em that we're spreading democracy instead of bombs and death, an "al-Qaida connection", etc.

Want a tax cut for your wealthy friends? Tell the docile media and trusting citizens you're sharing a slice of the projected budget surpluses engineered by a previous administration. When the projected surplus disappears amid the red ink of the Iraq invasion? Tell 'em the tax cut is to produce jobs. And you can do it again!!

What do you do when the projected surplus becomes a sea of red ink far, far into the future as a result of Iraq and the tax cuts for your wealthy friends? Just trot out Alan Greenspan of Federal Reserve fame and have him pronounce that we're forced to reduce Social Security benefits, i. e. steal more funds from Social Security to make up the difference.

What's been under reported is the Bush success through the 2001 tax cut in picking Americans' pockets and raiding the Social Security Trust Fund.

The 2001 tax cut is spread over 10 years at a stated cost of $1.35 trillion, but costs over $2.5 trillion. The 2001 tax cut delivered at least 40 percent of the tax benefits, including repeal of the estate tax, to one percent of the population (the wealthy, elite friends of the Bush administration).

The 2001 tax cut is now producing budget deficits of at least $570 billion and will for the foreseeable future. The Bush spin is that the war on terror and/or massive government spending is causing the annual budget deficit of $570 billion, but the fact is the deficit is caused by the 2001 tax cut benefiting the rich elites.

Bush and Congress could materially reduce these deficits by repeal of part or all of the 2001 tax cut. However, the right wing would have to release it's stranglehold on the social safety net spending which it's vowed to destroy.

Bush mouthpiece and Fed. Chairman Alan Greenspan stated recently that we need to lower the expectations of future benefits to retirees. Guess Alan knows that Social Security won't be there when needed because it's being raided to cover the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy elite.

Howard Pellett, Anacortes

Good Alternative to Third Runway was Ignored

In response to Alaska Airlines and other airlines who see little alternative to completing a third runway at SeaTac Airport, I offer the following.

In about 1994-95, there was much discussion on the west side of the Puget Sound concerning where to locate a second bridge. The 1991 Cross-Sound Transportation Study funded by the state of Washington and implemented by a Bellevue engineering firm did a comprehensive study for the movement of people and goods across the Puget Sound. One of the engineering options was a transportation corridor across Vashon Island using underwater buoyant tubes. This would have connected the north end of SeaTac Airport to the Port Orchard and Bremerton area. Southwest of Bremerton is Bremerton National Airport.

One of the ideas floating around was to make Bremerton National Airport an international airport (which is technically feasible). This would have eliminated the need for a third runway at SeaTac, as well as the need for a second Narrows bridge. It would have also supported an underwater, underground transportation system across Vashon Island.

At the release of the Cross-Sound Transportation Study it was payola time in Olympia. The money people and politicians would not have it.

D. H. Dickson, Monroe

More Guardianship Abuses

[In response to letter on guardianship agency abuses in the July/Aug 2004 issue] Let me tell you my experience with an appointed Guardian.

In 1987, my son Ronnie Hodges, age 40, died a horrible death in a state licensed and approved "group home" in Solano, California. When he was found, his deceased body was covered with ants. Although the home was supposed to be inspected every three months, it was found to be "in such a filthy, unsanitary condition that it had become infested with vermin".

Where was his Guardian? Most certainly not acting on Ronnie's behalf. We sued the home. We settled out of court for several thousand dollars, however, the money was not my main motive. I wanted the home to be closed so that no other person would have to go through such agony.

I contacted California Senator Boxer through a letter. She replied but did nothing. I went to the licensing board. They did nothing. I talked to the Patient Advocates. They did nothing. I did not know what else to do or who to go to. Every few years I go back to California and pass flyers about telling people the way Ronnie died. But, the group home is still in business. It was not closed even for one day.

So, I ask, "Where was Ronnie's Guardian? What was his Guardian doing?" Obviously nothing. I was in Washington State at the time Ronnie was moved to this home four months before [his death], and unable to check the quality of the home myself and so ignorant that I trusted and believed the Guardian would check it before placing him there.

I have enclosed a copy of the Coroner's Report [not here published] thinking maybe some other parent will read this and not put their blind faith in a Guardian such as I did.

Bettye Dryden, Bonney Lake

Editor's note: Other readers who have experienced guardianship agency abuses are invited to submit your accounts for publication.

Thanks for the Truth

Let me start by saying that I love your paper. I have only recently come across your wonderful paper and would like to receive more if it is possible. I am currently incarcerated and find such "true news" to be uniquely comforting. I would be more than happy to contribute artwork or even some stamps for postage if you would need or be interested in them. Thank you for the truth.

Willis Clary, Teague TX

Editor's note: Thanks for your encouragement and kindness! By the way, subscriptions are free to prisoners, but your contribution of artwork or donation of stamps would certainly be appreciated. (Note: we send subscriptions via presorted mail, but we do use a lot of standard stamps for renewal notice letters, so stamps are indeed useful. We operate on the leanest of budgets, and everything helps.)

We can't guarantee publication of article or artwork submissions, but we like to receive them, and we enjoy bringing many of them to print each issue.