‘The Times Doctrine’

In a recent editorial, you use the same words that are so often used in talking about taxes: “tax cuts” [Editorial, “The Times Doctrine,” March 27, 2008].

The words that I wish were more often used are “tax-rate cuts.” By cutting tax rates, the government may actually increase the amount of its tax receipts.

I, for one, have paid some capital gains taxes that I would not have paid had the rate not been reduced. If the rate had not been reduced, I would not have sold any capital assets and would not have realized any capital gains and would not have paid any capital gains taxes.

The question is often asked but too often overlooked: what’s better, 15% of something or 55% of nothing?

WILLIAM DONOVAN
White Plains, N.Y.

‘France’s Jean Nouvel Wins Pritzker Prize’

A detail concerning Jacob Adelman’s review of the Pritzker prize and Jean Nouvel [Arts & Letters, “France’s Jean Nouvel Wins Pritzker Prize,” March 31, 2008].

Mr. Nouvel first came to public note with the Arab World Institute in Paris. Mr. Adelman says the Mr. Nouvel is known for “pushing the envelope.”

At the Arab World he rather shrank it. One finds the entrance not through any emphasis of form or scale, but by trying a few doors until hitting the right one.

Once inside, one is struck by the very low ceiling, and again, no distinguishing scale or form. In short, the building entrance is the opposite of the focal point which any building entrance should be.

Très original, but hardly exciting.

JAMES KINGSLAND
New York, N.Y.

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