Moore Reveals Truth About Gas Prices
I read with delight Mr. Moore's article in HUMAN EVENTS about how gas prices have actually been stagnant for years and years and years (adjusted for inflation).
This is never ever brought up, and coming from the oil patch and being connected to the oil business, it was encouraging to read. I just wish Mr. Moore could get this information into publications of the "great unwashed," e.g. People Magazine.
I would also like to ask Mr. Moore whether or not that he took into account gas tax hikes, which, for Texas, have doubled since 1980 and now cost 43.5 cents. If he did not take this into account, people would understand even more that gas is a bargain compared to cars, water, and other items.
While on the subject, could he produce a chart showing the nexus of gas prices compared to other items?
Midland, Tex.
Flat Tax Better Than National Sales Tax
I am writing in regard to your recent article on the conversation with Rep. Mac Collins (R.-Ga.).
A lot of us are not in favor of a national retail sales tax. We believe there is a possibility (or probability) of having to pay more in taxes than we pay now under the present IRS rules.
Ever since former Rep. Dick Armey (R.-Tex.) came out with the idea of a flat tax, we think that would be better than the national sales tax. We do need to get rid of the IRS, but not if taxes are higher.
The people we have talked with-Republicans, Democrats and Independents-like the flat tax better.
Cayucos, Calif.
Rescuing Iraqi Children Spins Liberals' Agenda
Your front-page story is disgusting! Why do liberals like actor Gary Sinise think that Iraqi children are so much more precious than American children? And why do you think they are doing such a great thing?
Try doing something for American children starting in Appalachia and in our major cities. That would really be something to crow about! As a life-long conservative myself, I resent the praising of liberal Hollywood people when they want their names in the media!
Homosassa, Fla.
Another Reason To Abolish IRS
You overlooked a fundamentally important reason for abolishing the IRS: it violates the 1st Amendment through its policies for churches and religious organizations.
Because of their tax-exempt status, churches and religious organizations are controlled by the IRS in ways that are totally contradictory to the intent of our Founders. A religious leader may not preach from the pulpit on political issues nor offer his views or guidance in church bulletins and paid advertisements.
Likewise, that leader may not endorse or criticize a candidate while acting in an official capacity. Specifically, the IRS says in its Publication 1771, that churches and religious groups are "absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office."
The 1st Amendment carries a profound obligation, which our Founders provided for religious leaders to lead-that is, to speak out forcefully on moral and spiritual aspects of political issues and political people, and especially from the pulpit.
Cheshire, Conn.
A Bit More History On War and Peace
In response to Ann Coulter's article on the past history of 9/11, I have a few examples to offer of 20th Century history.
In addition to what "all" the Democratic Presidents did and did not do for the years she describes, there are still a few Presidents from my historical time that should be discussed.
The U.S. got entangled in World War I under a Democratic President. Why? In World War II, a Democrat was also President-one who campaigned for re-election in 1940 on a pledge to keep us out war! Similarly, a Democratic President got us involved in the Korean War-it took a Republican President to win this war. The Vietnam War was started by a Democratic President-it took a Republican President to stop this war.
So, I say to Miss Coulter: When does she think all those moronic Democrats will be kept out of office? Or better, who is it that keeps putting them in office?
I just thought I would back up Miss Coulter a tad and enlighten the Democrats as to what their problems are. They have it backwards, as always, including Kerry.
Gadsden, Ala.
