Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun
NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

America and Red China Chide Taiwan


Taiwan is an independent nation; it is not part of communist China, and we in America should do whatever it takes to ensure that this status quo is not altered [“U.S. and China Chide Taiwan on Intent to Change Missions’ Sign Inscriptions,” Benny Avni, Foreign, December 9, 2004].


There is “One China” and it is on one side of the Taiwan Straits. But as is often repeated through history, Red China is attempting with intimidation and fraud to strip the individuals of Taiwan of their right to self-determination.


The policy of our country is that peace and security prosper when freedom is on the march. But some in our country, and many around the world, including the United Nations, believe that America should not promote democracy in the world, let alone Taiwan.


These enemies of freedom hold the U.N. to the highest esteem and agree that Taiwan should not be part of it. As they see fit with the countries of the Middle East, they prefer to have a terrorist dictatorship control the validity of the democratically elected government of Taiwan than the people of Taiwan themselves.


AARON SHAFER
Manhattan


Rebuilding Ferry Terminals


The New York Sun’s recent articles about the Staten Island ferry terminals fail to represent adequately the complexity of the projects or the benefit they will bring to the thousands of people who use ferries each day [“Whitehall Ferry Terminal Is $55 Million Over Budget,” Adam Piore, Page One, December 9, 2004, and “Big Cost Overruns Turning Up at St. George Ferry Terminal,” Adam Piore, Page One, November 17, 2004].


While we regret the delays, the truth is that the completion of the St. George and Whitehall ferry terminals will create two modern and iconic facilities that will greatly improve the passenger experience.


The St. George project in Staten Island is about six months delayed. The Whitehall project in Lower Manhattan, which began in 2000 with a great deal of enthusiasm and an overly aggressive 36-month schedule, instead of a more realistic 48 months, is also six months behind.


The budget increases are primarily a result of additions to the scope of the projects, such as added security required at the terminals following the events of September 11, 2001.The projects faced numerous other obstacles including unexpected site conditions and two harsh winters that forced the water to freeze and to slow construction. The problems we experienced with contractors are not unusual for a project of this magnitude and did not lead to excessive delays.


The biggest hurdle to overcome was to keep both terminals fully operational throughout the renovations for the 65,000 passengers who rely on the Staten Island ferry every day. I am proud to say that not a single day of service was interrupted by construction.


I would like to thank the Staten Island ferry riders who have been so gracious in continuing to ride the ferries during this period. I thank them for their patience.


ANDREW ALPER
President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
Manhattan


Increasing Minimum Wage


The State Senate allowed crass politics to trump good policy as lawmakers voted to override Governor Pataki’s veto of a bill raising New York’s minimum wage nearly 39% over the federal rate. [“A 38% Increase in Minimum Wage Passes Into Law,” William F. Hammond Jr., Page One, December 7, 2004].


Although Minority Leader David Patterson claims businesses actually benefit from being forced to pay higher wages, low-skilled employees will soon discover that his optimism threatens their jobs.


Researchers at Duke University have found that after an increase in the minimum wage, low-skilled adults are often crowded out of their jobs as better-educated teenagers (frequently from wealthier families) are drawn into the workforce simply to earn spending money.


A Cornell University study found that black young adults typically bear four times the employment loss of their non-black counterparts after a minimum wage increase.


Albany’s new wage law will cost low-skilled employees not only their jobs, but also access to the Earned Income Tax Credit. This program provides up to $5,000 in tax-free income, but only for those who have a job.


As Governor Pataki stressed, this represents an effective hourly wage rate of up to $7.83 for full-time minimum wage employees – if they can keep their jobs.


Lawmakers should remember that higher wages will mean little to those who are no longer working.


CRAIG GARTHWAITE
Director of Research
Employment Policies Institute
Washington, D.C.



Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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