How much more can we redistribute?
The president and his allies constantly complain that the "wealthiest Americans" need to "contribute and pay their fair share." But our research demonstrates our current tax code is already the most progressive in the western world. Today, the top 1 percent of people pay more taxes than the bottom 90 percent. And the top 50 percent of people pay 97 percent of all income taxes! How much more of the tax burden do they want to redistribute?
JOHN SPITTLER, Signal Mountain
Research candidates' positions, then vote
Do you like Social Security and Medicare and want them preserved for your children and grandchildren? Do you believe we deserve to have health care insurance so we don't go bankrupt if illness or accident strikes? Do you believe workers deserve a living wage? Do you believe student loans should benefit students, not loan companies? Do you believe our tax system is designed to benefit the wealthy? Do you know that sales and excise taxes cost poor and middle income Americans five to eight times more of their incomes than the wealthy pay, and that Tennessee is one of the 10 states that costs poor and middle income citizens the highest percentage of their incomes? Do you believe our state and federal representatives should be elected by living, breathing individuals, not non-person corporations? Do you know that the deficit is dramatically dropping? Think about the issues that are important to you, find out how the candidates plan to address them if they are elected, and, most importantly, do your civic duty and vote!
MARY ANN CROWE, Crossville, Tenn.
Pierce, Causer should answer to citizens
I attended the recent Red Bank Commission meeting and witnessed yet another compelling reason why Floy Pierce and Rick Causer need to be removed from Red Bank government. During the meeting, the two were asked by a citizen why they voted "no" to spending $5,000 as part of a $38,000 grant to obtain tablets for police officers. Both Floy Pierce and Rick Causer glared disdainfully at the citizen and did not say a single word. After an uncomfortable period of silence, the mayor resumed the meeting. When the Red Bank Neighborhood Pride organization held a forum for all candidates to state their positions on important issues, both Pierce and Causer decided they did not need to interview for the job of city commissioner in the upcoming November election. Floy Pierce and Rick Causer have forgotten they work for the citizens of Red Bank. If they do not want to respond to the citizens now, what makes us think they will behave any differently after they are re-elected?
JON R. BAKER, Red Bank
Past time to raze Parkway Towers
It was good to read in the editorial section (Oct. 3) about some of our city officials biting the bullet to help a subdivision solve an eight-year problem on an unsightly lot at the entrance of their subdivision. I do not know where that home owner lived, but I have wondered for years why the city has allowed the unsightly building downtown, Parkway Towers, to remain in its current condition without either condemning it or having it torn down. It is an eyesore for the city of Chattanooga, First Tennessee Pavilion and neighboring Finley Stadium. I do believe if the building were owned by an average property owner, he or she would have been required to repair it or demolish it long ago. Come on, city of Chattanooga leaders, if you want to clean up eyesores, it's time to start with this building. It has been allowed to stand far too long!
JAMES FINNELL, Hixson