‘The Gathering Threat’

‘The Gathering Threat’Kenneth Blackwell commits the same confusion of rights and privileges that he imputes to others: he states that a threat to rescind the tax-exempt status of certain religious groups constitutes a threat to freedom of religion as embodied in the First Amendment [Oped, “The Gathering Threat,” July 17, 2008].The First Amendment recognizes a right to “the free exercise” of religion; it neither recognizes nor establishes a right to a tax subsidy for that exercise.Contrary to Mr. Blackwell’s alarm, nothing he reports threatens actual free exercise of religion (much less freedom of conscience), only certain privileges of government recognition and subsidy.Religious rights belong to even a minority of one; political privileges of government recognition and subsidy are democratically subject to the will of the majority.If Mr. Blackwell disapproves of the legality of such subsidies when they go only to religious groups he disfavors, then he should perhaps attempt an argument from the Establishment clause instead.In any case, as one who professes concern about the forces of statism — the intrusion by the state upon the fundamental right to be left alone — Mr. Blackwell should not drink the statist Kool-Aid by equating a State Carrot withheld with a State Stick applied.DANIEL McCONVILLEForest Hills, N.Y.‘Taxis and Taxes’The New York Sun got it right with its editorial [New York, “Taxis and Taxes,” July 24, 2008]. Taxicabs aren’t the only industry being impacted by increasing fuel costs. Garbage companies currently are paying $5.25 a gallon, or more, for diesel — a lot more than what taxi drivers are paying for gasoline.While residents and visitors have other transportation options, there aren’t alternative garbage collecting options.Like taxis, garbage companies that operate in New York City are subject to governmental rate regulation and deserve the chance to earn a profit for their hard work.Unlike the taxis, who received a rate increase in 2004, the maximum rate that garbage companies can charge was set in 1997 — more than 11 years ago. Garbage company costs have gone up by 60% since 1997.You are correct: eliminating obsolete rate regulation makes the most sense for everyone.DAVID BIDERMANNational Solid Wastes Management AssociationWashington, D.C.

‘The Gathering Threat’

‘The Gathering Threat’

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