Letters To The Editor, Continued

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: April 23, 2009

Why a Tea Party? Follow Me for a Day

Why did I attend the Richmond tea party? Follow me around on a typical day:

I arise early in the morning and turn on the lights. Electricity makes the bulb work and I'm highly taxed on the electricity. I go to the bathroom. My toilet has been restricted to 1.6 gallons by the government, so I flush twice. I brush my teeth. I paid sales tax on my toothbrush. I turn on my cable TV to see what's happening. I pay massive taxes and fees on my cable connection.

I grab my cell phone and head for the car. My cell phone has many taxes and fees. I get in my car that I paid sales tax on when I brought -- and continue to pay taxes and fees on every year. I get to work and do my job. I'm paid to be there. I pay massive fees and taxes on my income. At lunch I go get a sandwich. I'm highly taxed on the sandwich.

Finished with work, I head home. I stop for gasoline -- which I also pay massive taxes on. I stop by the store for a pack of cigarettes -- I'm taxed on the tobacco. I stop by a restaurant in Richmond to get some dinner. I pay regular taxes plus something for a performing arts center.

Home now, my phone rings (I pay many taxes and fees on my land line). It's my bank calling to tell me I'm broke.

And that's why I went to the tea party.

Chris deTreville. Richmond.

Warner Will Support The Card Check Bill

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In response to Jeff Schapiro's article, "Businesses, Unions Pressure Senator Warner": I support the Employee Free Choice Act, or card check, and I'm also a supporter of Sen. Mark Warner. I am not angered because Warner hasn't yet taken a side on the bill. Warner is listening to the majority of Virginians who believe card check levels the playing field for everyday people and will help rebuild the economy so it works for everyone.

Warner has said that the current system favors employers over workers. He understands the need for reform and when the time comes, I'm sure he'll once again be on the right side.

What does anger me is the 200 business executives and lobbyists who gathered in Richmond to mischaracterize the EFCA and promote corporate interests over workers' rights. These are the same people who said no to increases in the minimum wage and unpaid time off to care for a sick relative. Many even oppose using $125 million worth of federal stimulus money to help unemployed Virginians. It is clear that doing the right thing for working families wasn't on the agenda at the anti-card check rally held at the Omni Hotel.

Warner is an independent and effective leader. He will see through the distortions and find that EFCA is exactly the right thing to do for working Virginians who are struggling to make ends meet.

Jason Guard. Richmond.