Tax Revolt
To the Editors:
The passage of Proposition 13 in California is beyond any doubt the political event of the century, and Howard Jarvis [June 19] has proved himself a leader to be reckoned with. I nominate him to lead a crusade for constitutional fiscal restraints on our spendthrift, irresponsible, inept Congress.
William C. Morrison Jr.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
The voters of California have spoken all right, but "tax revolt" is a little too noble-sounding for this irresponsible initiative. Given the opportunity, "the will of the people" would probably be to eliminate all taxes. Let's not make heroes out of selfish, ignorant voters.
Paul Bollwinkel Fair Oaks, Calif.
The tax revolt is just what the doctor ordered for a chronic case of national fiscal obesity. We've finally realized that the way to control the Government monster is to cut back on its diet of our money.
Dick Scar Buena Vista, Colo.
The voters of California would not have had to use a meat ax on the tax structure if the politicians and bureaucrats had not been using a scoop shovel to distribute tax money.
Clem Stretchett Joseph, Ore.
By all means, let's return to those thrilling days of yesteryear ... 1932-37 ... few taxes and low assessments. Ahhh, the good old days! Horse biscuits!
Frank Horcajo Glendale, Calif.
California's tax-relief measure will ultimately fail—not because of the quality of the idea itself, but because the original opponents of the measure are now the ones asked to implement it. Essential, rather than nonessential services will be the first to be cut and the I-told-you-soers will soon begin their chorus.
Lawrence A. Brown Chester, N.H.
Unless rents are cut proportionally to reflect the landlords' lower tax bills, it is possible that you will see the first statewide renters' strike in the nation's history.
Peter Rodman Davis, Calif.
An M.D. for Solzhenitsyn?
Alexander Solzhenitsyn's honorary degree from Harvard [June 19] should have been a Doctor of Medicine rather than a Doctor of Letters. He has diagnosed America's illness and prescribed the proper treatment.
Bill Marden Madison, Wis.
Perhaps the younger generation in the Soviet Union has not suffered enough to develop that intense spiritual development of which Solzhenitsyn speaks. Otherwise why are so many of them willing to risk arrest for their materialism by exchanging icons or other family heirlooms for blue jeans, pantyhose or albums of "intolerable music" by the Rolling Stones?
Thalice Goodridge Rockport, Me.
West Bank Conflict It's so "nice" to see in your story "West Bank: The Cruelest Conflict" [June 19] how much you care about the "poor, dispossessed and abused" Palestinians. What about the hundreds of thousands of Jews who were forced to leave their homes in the Arab states? Have Jews become blind and insensitive to the suffering of others?