We are always subjected to news that provides the media with headlines they can sell. Currently (as I write this) it's the place in New York where an Islamic cultural center will be built. Before that it was jobs and economic recovery and before that it was -- I don't remember. But they always seem to get in a picture of former Gov. Sarah Palin. Of course, this situation is manipulated by those (currently they would be politicians) who want to influence what people (voters) think.
If we give in to those who are appealing to emotion about Ground Zero, we will be telling the world that we do not believe in our Constitution, that we do not believe in freedom of religion. That would be an enormous mistake; the world would lose respect for us.
Why are the banks hoarding money and as a result preventing small businesses from hiring people? Could it be that the banks want to wait until after Nov. 2, hoping that politicians favorable to them will be elected? We will have to wait until after the election to see if the money starts flowing.
The media is giving Palin a lot of coverage in anticipation of her making a run for the presidency. The three most horrible words I can think of are words that I heard somewhere: "President Sarah Palin."
The headlines do affect me.
ROBERT C. MARCH
Pfafftown
Prosperity and depression
Picture two societies with the same tax rates. Say they are identical regarding age, gender, ethnicity and the totals for annual personal income and for family wealth, but differ greatly in the distributions of annual personal income and family wealth.
In one of them, 50 percent of annual personal income and 50 percent of family wealth are owned by 5 percent of the people and most of the remainders of these by the next 15 percent.
In the other society, 25 percent of annual personal income and 25 percent of family wealth are owned by 5 percent of the people and the remainders of these are much more broadly distributed. Which of these two societies will likely buy the most homes, food, clothing, cars, trucks, TVs, pots and pan, washing machines, etc.?
Think about the impact of buying on jobs. Who will purchase the most of the aforementioned items -- one person with $1 billion or 10,000 people with $100,000?
Two variables related to economic prosperity and economic depression of societies are the distributions of annual personal income and family wealth. Tax rates, of course, are one way to reduce great inequalities. The way fairness is perceived concerning wages and salaries is another. Too much to too few, financially speaking, may destroy a society, no matter which economic system it champions or how it governs itself.
AVERY G. CHURCH
Clemmons
Given the chance
Kudos to Scott Sexton for his Aug. 22 column "Davis has reasons to doubt city's depot plan" on the Davis Garage. Sexton's dipping into the past history and pulling it into the present was perfect. What an eye-opener.
The Winston-Salem City Council in the 1970s was given the chance to get the train depot for free, donated by the railroad. So for Harvey Davis now as the owner of the building, "finders keepers, losers weepers." Davis had a vision for his business in 1975 and looked toward the future.
By the way, who are these people who fund the pool of money for the Millennium Fund? Are they arm-twisters by trade?
SUSAN WARREN
Winston-Salem
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