‘Curb spending’ mantra aimed at wrong people | Letters | July 23

Published 12:07 pm Friday, July 23, 2010

In regard to the headline and story, “Inslee challengers look to curb spending,” in your July 16 issue, I am moved to recall Ronald Reagan’s frequent observation, “Here we go again.” Same old meaningless mantra. Curb spending where? Cut road repairs? Health care? Unemployment benefits? Ferry service? The military? Veterans’ benefits? The CIA? FBI?

Why not concentrate on increasing income from taxation – close loopholes and raise taxes on the super-rich – of the top 1 percent of our population.

When candidates advocate “curbing spending” they are hitting the middle class and working people who commute and depend on public transportation; the unemployed; the family that looks forward to visiting our National Parks; passengers who depend on safety in the air; and the vast majority of Americans who depend on government to safeguard their food and medicines, plus countless other services that are a function, in fact, a definition, of good government.

The wealthy are barely touched by “spending curbs,” it is the great majority of Americans who suffer the burden of cuts.

Jesse Mittleman

Bainbridge Island