A city tax on commuters' income would backfire

I am a transplanted Pittsburgher who left the area for the same reason that most former residents do -- economic opportunity. I have watched from afar the current debate about a nonresident income tax.

As much as I agree with Mayor Tom Murphy's position that the entire region benefits from the many cultural, educational and government services that emanate from the city of Pittsburgh, and should contribute something in return, I urge the mayor and those who support a commuter income tax to think again.

My adopted home, Detroit, made the same move for the same reason, shortly before we moved here 27 years ago. Detroit also had a passionate mayor who accused the suburbs of racism (in Detroit's case, perhaps with some justification) and imposed a nonresident tax. The result was a mass exodus of employees who resented "taxation without representation."

Employers followed, and close behind them were the stores and retail services that once made a vibrant downtown. Today, Detroit is a shell of its former self, and the nonresident tax is a mighty contributor to its demise.

Pittsburgh has done so many things right. The Downtown is something that we in Michigan wish that we had. Please don't accelerate the downward spiral with this ill-advised tax. Yes, the region should support the city, but there has to be a better way.

DANIEL F. GONOS
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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Attitude problem

I was appalled by the commentary from former city Councilwoman Michelle Madoff about Pittsburgh's finances ("Same Old, Same Old," Dec. 27 Weekend Perspectives). She spoke of only raising taxes and "should have, could have."

Instead of taxing the suburbanites, maybe the city could have been more efficient with the money that it already had. Mayor Tom Murphy chose to push for public money to help finance two unneeded stadiums and used the city's funds to support two Downtown department stores. One of those stores will be closing in the near future; the other has yet to pay any rent to the city.

You also mentioned that the suburbanites shamelessly use the cultural and other amenities that the city offers. I guess you abandoned the city before the Regional Asset District tax went into effect; it helps fund a majority of them and adds 1 percent sales tax to all taxed purchases made in Allegheny County.

I don't get some of the current and old city of Pittsburgh politicians. They try to get people to visit the Golden Triangle, but end up either shaming them or calling them racists.

Maybe the attitude of some of these people is the reason that people stay out of Pittsburgh and choose Monroeville, Ross or the South Hills to shop and eat.

GARY BONACCI
Collier

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Tax Steelers fans

Pittsburgh City Council has several weeks in which to amend its budget. I suggest the following:

Impose a 100 percent tax on tickets and parking for entertainment spectacles that more than 3,000 people attend; i.e., Steelers, Pitt, Pirates and Penguins games and the very occasional concert. The tax on Steelers games alone would net more than $10 million, and the total would surely balance the city budget without further taxes.

Prosperous suburbanites would pay their fair share automatically and regular folks, city or suburban, would lose little; as it is, they can't afford to watch millionaires play games. The demand for Pirates tickets might decline a bit, but the Steelers would still fill their seats, and the city would avoid service declines, house abandonment (sure to follow with an increased real estate and transfer tax) and loss of business to the suburbs.

CLARK GLYMOUR
O'Hara

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Citizens, beware

"One, if by land, two, if by sea ..." Today in America, the number is three.

Modification of the 1775 Paul Revere warning system is appropriate relative to the triangle of financial terrorism being directed toward patriotic taxpaying citizens in the form of unconstitutional federal mandates, fear-mongering, elitist state control and submissive local impotency, all of which have apparent roots of covetous greed.

Just as the cry went out, "To arms! To arms, the British are coming!" today's call to action for activating a taxpayer militia must not only ring in our ears but fuel a fire in our hearts to be willing to face the enemy and, with tenacious perseverance, drive him from our homeland.

Let us make our weapons the Bill of Rights and the law of God, mark our targets well, and let loose the dogs of war on the tyrants of taxation.

CHUCK SWOPE
Spraggs

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About that hunt

Not to sound too critical of Mary Beerman's thoughts regarding Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting trip to a private club in Ligonier last month ("Poor Use of Skills," Dec. 17 letters), but allowing sufficient time to reflect upon them, I find them intellectually flawed on these five points:

1) On private hunting reserves, nothing is enclosed, everything is in wide-open spaces. The game can elude the hunter. The privately stocked game can escape the boundaries and enter the wilderness to reproduce.

2) Dues-paying members and guests support these reserves and pay property taxes to the respective local government where the reserve is located.

3) These animals are bred for the hunt, as are the animals that are farmed to stock the shelves and coolers of your local grocery store. The farm animals have no chance of escape.

4) Not once did I see listed in Beerman's argument a complaint about the local lakes and streams that are annually stocked by the Fish and Game Commission (privately funded also by the hunters and fisherman) for the enjoyment of the fisherman.

5) This is a time of war and I am saddened to see any civilian and military leader or soldier defamed in these pressing times.

MICHAEL S. KASYAN
Brentwood

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Poland loves America

Thomas Friedman's column about Poland and the United States is right on ("Our Friend in New Europe," Jan. 2,) (print edition only). The feeling among Poles that they have a "big guy" friend across the ocean gave my country courage to scoff at scenarios allocated to Poland by Old Europe politicians in forming new adjustments in the European Union.

Friedman is also right that there is an opportunity that should not be lost for the United States to win the new young Polish generation to even closer ties with their "big guy friend." I can think of nothing better than a few hundred scholarships at good American universities for students from Poland to forge contacts and share ideas also at the highest educational levels; all that is needed is a forceful initiative in some high places.

By the way, I came to Pittsburgh from Poland only a few years ago. During my life here, I have had a wonderful opportunity to visit many places in the United States, from Miami to Seattle, from San Diego to Boston. People often ask me where I would like to live. My reply is always the same: Pittsburgh! It has a beautiful skyline and rivers. People are so considerate and ever so friendly.

For someone from Poland, Pittsburgh is home away from home.

GOSIA MALINOWSKA
O'Hara

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Don't cheer this

I was very disappointed in the headline "Drink Up" (Dec. 26). Should the state be proud of record-setting Sunday liquor sales? I don't think so.

There are many more important things people could be doing instead of buying liquor.

After reading the PG for over 50 years, this is the worst headline I've seen.

EDNA McCALLISTER
West View

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Keep the 'L' in Pennsylvania

For quite some time now I have been aware of a disturbing (to me) and seemingly ever-increasing trend among the Pennsylvania populace, including even high-profile members of the radio and television media and prominent members of the political world, to leave out the "l" when pronouncing the name of our esteemed state of Pennsylvania. (Gov. Rendell, of all people, is a prime offender.)

This crucial omission of the letter "l" results in the extremely unfortunate: Penn-si-vania. This to me, is an auditory abomination which deprives our great state of its poetic, beautiful and accurate description as being "sylvan."

Let's not kick the "L" out of Pennsylvania!

HOWARD S. FOX JR.
Whitehall