Candidate Advises Lifting FICA Cap

Amity Shlaes’s article “Keep the Cap” [Opinion, January 11, 2005] is probably the most intelligent discussion of the issues involved with Social Security and the dreaded baby boomer retirement that I have seen in the press.

It is, indeed, true that one of the Democrats’ cherished principles is income redistribution, from those who profit inordinately from the labor of others. Since the Vietnam War, worker productivity has increased dramatically in America, with people working longer hours for less and less pay, despite “labor saving” technology.

The profits have largely gone to the upper 10% of the population who own most of the means of production and financial assets. They, in return, have not been investing in the country, instead shipping jobs out and foreigners in, for still greater profits. Many corporations now have a salary spread between the lowest paid worker and the highest paid corporate officer of 500-to-1.

Now it is time to redress the situation a little, by asking for improved benefits for the baby boomers, who have given so much, even giving up control of their country’s economy to the globalists.

If we lift the FICA tax cap to $500,000, we can lower the early retirement age to 60, and completely fund Medicare. In return to the rich, we should eliminate the income tax on all Social Security benefits, a powerful incentive for people to continue work, and a welcome tax free income for the poor as well as the more privileged.

EDWARD PRICE
Candidate for New York City Council, 5th District, East Side
Manhattan

John Bolton Praised

Working with John Bolton to overturn the noxious United Nations “Zionism equals racism” resolution was one of the highlights of my job as the founding executive director of the Institute for Public Affairs of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America. The New York Sun’s editorial commending his leadership in promoting democracy and standing up to America’s enemies was superb [“Bush and Bolton,” January 12, 2005].

Though my current job keeps my focus on domestic policies to help the neediest among us, I proudly display the map that Secretary Bolton presented me, which was color-coded with the vote to overturn that odious resolution. He is, like the late Senator Moynihan, a genuine American hero.

WILLIAM E. RAPFOGEL
Chief executive officer
Metropolitan Jewish Council And Metropolitan Council On Jewish Poverty
Manhattan

Terrorism Victims Are Innocent

There is no basis for Michael Rips’s argument in his column “John Doe vs. Al Qaeda” [Opinion, January 11, 2005]. David Boim, an Israeli teenager, was innocently waiting for a municipal bus to take him to visit his parents in Jerusalem. Hamas slaughtered this young man for this simple everyday activity.

According to the logic of Rips’ thoughts, David should have foreseen the consequences of this mundane pursuit. Not only that, but the Boims were guilty of their sons death, if one can follow Mr. Rips’s convoluted opinions.

It is chilling to think of what the families of those killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, must feel. After all, they should have foreseen what would happen. An attempt had been made before to destroy the area. Unfortunately, nothing can bring back David Boim, or all those other victims of terror. But the court ruled correctly for Mr. and Mrs. Boim. May all those victims rest in peace.

SUSAN FALK TAUB
Manhattan

Preserve Landmarks

In the 40 years since New York’s landmarks law was passed, preservation has provided homes, museums, businesses, tourist attractions, and a more livable city [“A Living City,” Editorial, January 5, 2004].That’s not sentiment. That’s substance.

Previous plaza hotel owners, Donald Trump included, recognized that the Oak Room, Ballroom, and other beautiful public spaces were an asset and maintained them accordingly. However fine a drugstore or lingerie shop the new Plaza owners create, it is a net loss for New Yorkers.

PEG BREEN
President New York Landmarks Conservancy
Manhattan

Writer Reflects Insensitivity

Tina Brown’s column was a sad commentary on how an intelligent person can trivialize the suffering of unfortunate victims [“2004: Year of the Scandal,” Knickerbocker, December 23, 2004].

She spoke of tragic events as though the suffering of individuals was of no consequence. She compared the “murder appeal” of tragic episodes this year. Please get someone with a heart to write for your newspaper.

RUTH COHEN, M.D.
Manhattan

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