Friday, Apr. 18, 2008

April 18

Dear Editor:

With the income tax filing date just past, we are asking that you do something important (inspired by the comic strip, Mallard Fillmore):

Look at line No. 63 on your 1040 (this is the total federal tax you paid).

As you know, to support any argument, facts can be used in various ways that will support any side. Almost.

What we found out in checking actual facts and looking at our line No. 63:

We paid more in just federal income tax than what we paid for the following items added together:

House Payments for the year

All utility payments [gas, electric and water] for the year

Property taxes for the year

Both car payments for the year

Gas and car maintenance payments for the year

Health and dental insurance and out of pocket costs for the year [and we both had surgeries this year]

House, car and liability insurances for the year

Grocery and drugstore costs for the year

Restaurant charges for the year

Again ...

Though we pay no state taxes in Texas, take a look at what you paid in your state and local taxes.

And ... this is not including Social Security and Medicare taxes.

We can’t speak for everyone, but if we had more of our money, we would spend more or save more.

Either way it would help the economy. How does Line No. 63 look for you?

— Peggi and Joe Holtshouser,

Colleyville

Dear Editor:

The crime wave continues on Hwy. 121 in the 4-block area between Glade and Hall-Johnson roads with repeated smash-and-grab car burglaries in the restaurant parking lots in that area.

It’s hard to understand why the Colleyville Police Department can’t stem this crime wave with a simple plainclothes stakeout operation.

They seem to have numerous patrolmen on traffic patrol and ticket writing operations along Hwy. 26, Glade Road and Cheek-Sparger.

Is it unreasonable to think they might divert one patrolman to actually stop the repeated and numerous crimes in this area of the city?

Apparently enhancing the city treasury with traffic ticket revenues is more important than stopping repeated car burglaries in a very specific and limited area.

— Rolland Moraine,

Colleyville