Citizens have had enough of excuses and inaction

I'm tired of hearing the feeble excuses our legislative leaders use to keep from bringing a vote to the floor on reducing the size of the Legislature ("Drive Still Alive to Reduce Legislature," Aug. 20). If that happens, I would be willing to spend the balance of my life helping to defeat those leaders in their districts.

If a vote is brought to the floor and defeated, I would be willing to help unseat those "public servants" who vote against the reduction. If that doesn't work, maybe they would pass a law eliminating those legislators found guilty of pilfering taxpayer funds. That law would remain in effect for 20 years.

By that time we may be able to eliminate at least 20 percent of our oversized legislative body, or even more! As long as we have a quality attorney general like Tom Corbett, I'm betting my money on the "more."

FRED THOMPSON
Blawnox

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Brave Mustio

Regarding "Mustio Pushes Bill to Cut Size of Legislature" (Aug. 19): State Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Moon, is more of a martyr than a Don Quixote. His mission to save Pennsylvania taxpayers from the tremendous waste of Harrisburg politics, even at the potential expense of his own job, could qualify him for sainthood.

If House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese and other power-drunk legislators want to label him a crackpot -- well, we expect that, don't we? I say, "Go, Don, go!

SHARON YEAGER
Aleppo

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Rally, voters!

Couldn't agree with you more on your Aug. 26 editorial "Big and Bloated," but ...

We voters must rally and act
to change the untenable fact
that our state House and Senate have grown
to a size that should cause us to moan.
They are both inefficient
and that should be sufficient
To insist that officials react.

MARY LARSEN
Mt. Lebanon

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Hail to Hillary

I am delighted that Joe Biden was chosen as Barack Obama's running mate. I am even more delighted that Hillary Clinton will remain in the Senate, because that is where she is really needed and where she can do the most good for America.

She can do more good in the Senate than running around the globe, meeting all kinds of "important" people and accomplishing practically nothing.

We need her in the fight for better health care, education, taxes and more. Hers is a strong voice that will resonate and influence.

Welcome back, Hillary! It's good to have you.

HANNAH WOLFSON
Homestead

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Goon strategy

In hockey, it's been a common practice for underskilled teams to have players labeled as "goons" -- players with less talent but bigger fists to take out their opponents' talent.

There is a parallel to this in the current presidential campaign. John McCain is apparently unable to compete with Barack Obama in the generation of new ideas and the demonstration of mature leadership for which America has a serious need. So Mr. McCain resorts to the political equivalent of goon tactics -- slinging mud, character attacks and questioning Mr. Obama's patriotism. When he's not doing this himself, Mr. McCain has some Swift Boat operatives doing the dirty work for him.

For America's sake, let's hope that we can see the McCain campaign for what it is: the standard Republican playbook of the low road having to stand in for the lack of ability.

THOMAS GAUS
Ross

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No to liberalism

Clint Van Dusen's epiphany in a Starbucks about Barack Obama doesn't surprise me ("Obama Will Deliver," Aug. 16 letters). You see, Sen. Obama and Starbucks are very much alike. Starbucks is an overpriced coffee shop specializing in below-average coffee. Barack Obama is an overhyped candidate with less-than-stellar qualifications.

Mr. Van Dusen's vision for America is disturbing. He is worried about John McCain stacking the Supreme Court with Republican conservatives. I am worried about Mr. Obama doing the same thing with liberal Democrats.

Mr. Van Dusen believes America needs more liberalism. He could not be more incorrect. Liberalism is not only bad for America, it is harmful and destructive in its promotion of dependency and waiving of all personal responsibility. He wants Barack Obama elected primarily on the issues of the economy and the war. The liberal solution to a bad economy is to raise taxes on those who have worked hard to become successful. However, raising taxes on the rich will not stimulate the economy. It will weaken it as well as raise unemployment. As for the war, the only acceptable solution is victory. Throwing in the towel and surrendering is not an option at any time, for any reason.

Barack Hussein Obama has no love or respect for the country he wishes to lead. He is inexperienced and soft. In November, the best thing we as Americans can do is go to the polls and proclaim loudly, NObama!

JOHN FLEISCHMAN
Lawrenceville

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The taxman

Americans have been told to save and invest for their future and for their retirement all their lives.

Depending on your sources of information, Barack Obama tells us that he will increase taxes on all capital gains from the current 15 percent rate to either 20 percent or higher. America's growth comes from those who take risks and invest their money in stocks or in mutual funds, IRAs, Roth, SEP IRAs and various other plans. Most Americans invest to have a "nest egg" for their retirement years.

Every year, Americans are taxed for all capital gains except for those investments in a tax-deferred plan. But eventually, those are taxed. When you retire and start to withdraw money from your investments, your annual taxes will be based on your total income at the same rate as if you were working full time. For those who invested outside a tax deferred plan, you now pay 15 percent for any capital gains each year.

To raise that to 20 percent, 25 percent, 30 percent or higher gives the younger generation little incentive to save and invest for their future. Once the government raises your capital gains tax, it makes it easier to raise them again and again.

Young and old have much at stake. Say no to any capital gains tax increase. To all seniors who did save and invest, well maybe P.T. Barnum had you in mind when he said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Your vote in November is truly important.

RONALD J. McGINNIS
Washington, Pa.

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