Letters to the Editor
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‘Mukasey’s Mettle’
Regarding “Mukasey ‘s Mettle” [Editorial, October 31, 2007].
Bravissimo. The judge’s reply to the Senate Judiciary Committee would have more than satisfied Justices Marshall, Brandeis, Cardozo, and, whether the bleeding-hearts like it or not, Warren. Our founding fathers would have responded “Amen” to the judge’s affirmation of the rule of law’s inviolability.
The senators are, no doubt, honorable men and speak from through the hearts of their constituents — but it appears that in the frenzy of a declared war against the specter of an undeclared enemy, they have, albeit momentarily, lost sight of our government’s primary purpose in favor of an ephemeral “good guy” image.
YAKOV SIEGEL
Garden City, N.Y.
‘City Council To Oppose Any Midyear Budget Cuts’
“City Council To Oppose Any Midyear Budget Cuts” represents an abdication of leadership by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Finance Committee Chairman David Weprin, and their colleagues [New York, “City Council to Oppose Any Midyear Budget Cuts,” October 29, 2007].
Real leadership anticipates future problems and deals with them today rather than reacting to developments later when it is too late.
Municipal spending has increased above the rate of inflation year-after-year under Ms. Quinn and Mr. Weprin, fueled by revenues from Wall Street.
Any sudden economic downturn can result in forecasted surpluses, quickly turning into multibillion dollar unforeseen deficits. Many are now predicting such an event happening soon.
Mr. Weprin neglected to mention that the city’s municipal debt is now $55 billion. The per-resident capital debt of $6,800 makes the Big Apple number one nationally.
LARRY PENNER
Great Neck, N.Y.
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