ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 1996 TAG: 9611120063
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
WHEN I turned 50 years old, I took advantage of a 30 percent discount offered by a hotel chain to seniors, and greedily eyed other discounts dangled by various merchants. They know seniors have more disposable income and time than struggling young families. The biggest giveaway comes from Virginia, which doles out tax goodies.
John and Mary, age 65 or older, are lucky to live in Virginia. They can deduct a whopping $21,600 from their taxable income, over and above the usual deductions and personal exemptions that everyone else gets. In addition, their Social Security income is untaxed.
They can conceivably have an annual income of almost $50,000 and pay no taxes. By comparison, a single mother supporting one child begins paying taxes on an annual income of $5,000; with two children, $5,400. A family of four with a nonworking spouse begins paying taxes at $8,200.
What seniors do not pay in taxes, younger people must make up. Virginians may care deeply about family issues, but their politicians do not appear to be particularly family-friendly. Rather, they're greedy for seniors' votes.
It makes no difference how wealthy and secure John and Mary are. If their income comes from $500,000 in a bank savings account, stocks or pension fund, they might pay no taxes to the state. With their house likely paid for, their medical expenses taken care of by Medicare for a small premium, no college-education tuitions to pay, few work clothes to buy or a growing family to feed and no Virginia taxes to pay, it's no wonder seniors' big disposable incomes are vied for by merchants and travel agents.
I realize that many have worked hard to save for this security. I have, too. But let's give the younger generation a chance to do the same. We must, of course, show compassion for older citizens who are needy. But statistics show that seniors comprise the wealthiest sector of our society. Social Security and tax breaks should be reserved for only those who are socially insecure.
When I am a senior citizen, I'll vote for the politician who has the guts to cut welfare for the rich - regardless of age.
GRETA McCAUGHRIN
LEXINGTON
Less Click, Clack; more good music
DEMETRI TILIONIS' Nov. 1 commentary (``Please, let's have less talk and more good music") on public radio expresses my thoughts exactly.
Years back, the amount of classical music was much greater, and how it enhanced our lives! Sadly enough, between ``Click and Clack," Garrison Keillor and Michael Feldman, the only good things on Saturdays for me are the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts.
I realize that other programs have a loyal audience also, but why air them all on the same morning? Also, so often the same things are repeated morning and evening. If there is nothing new, then why not bring more good music? WVTF's best programs are really after midnight. Why did they do away with those wonderful evening concerts?
If the WVTF management ignores the letters of the public to the point of not answering, then the public's monetary support will also dry up.
AGNES S. HELLER
BLACKSBURG
Did Clinton get the church vote?
IT IS obvious to me that a lot of church people voted for Bill Clinton or they didn't vote at all. Otherwise, he would have lost out.
EDWIN R. ROBERTSON
PEARISBURG
Pat Fuller personified love
I AM reminded by the life of Pat Fuller, wife of Dr. Charles Fuller, pastor of First Baptist Church, of the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13, which states in part: ``If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal and what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing unless I loved others.''
Pat Fuller loved us all and called each one of us by name.
Every Sunday morning, we eagerly waited to see her enter the room. Pat Fuller had a tremendous sense of humor, she made us laugh, and undoubtedly had one of the loveliest smiles I've ever seen. Her teaching was all we needed. It's hard to imagine not seeing or hearing her, but I am thankful that God allowed us to have her as long as he did.
Indeed, Pat Fuller claimed victory on Nov. 6, and I know the Lord said, ``Well done, thy good and faithful servant.''
MARGARET ALEXANDER HIGH
ROANOKE
DUI law violates the Constitution
IN RESPONSE to your Sept. 20 editorial, ``No license to drink and drive'':
The editorial favors the law that suspends the license for seven days of a person arrested for drunken driving. An arrest isn't a conviction, but is merely an accusation. Taking away the license of someone who hasn't been convicted is ridiculous. Until a judge finds a person guilty, that person has committed no crime.
According to your editorial, the basis for the Virginia Supreme Court's finding was that removing someone's license wasn't double jeopardy because the act wasn't punishment but was ``administrative, more remedial than punitive.'' If anyone believes that, do without your license for seven days, pay a reinstatement fee, and then tell me if you feel ``punished.'' It's amazing the word games judges play to disguise the fact that they are violating the Constitution.
The truth is that both breath and blood tests ignore the Fifth Amendment. That amendment states that no person will be forced to testify against himself or herself. These sobriety tests, which are the main convicting evidence used by prosecutors, flagrantly ignore this constitutional right by forcing persons to testify against themselves with their own bodies and body fluids. If you refuse these illegal tests, you're punished.
Your editorial contends that the ``constitutional fog has been lifted.'' Actually, it has been further lowered on the truth and on our rights as citizens. The Constitution must be constant - not manipulated to serve the state's purposes.
ANTHONY S. COOPER
ROANOKE
Volunteers are an invaluable resource
LESLIE TAYLOR told what community-relief organizations like the Presbyterian Community Center are doing to help needy people when state and federal dollars are cut (Oct. 27, ``Southeast church trying to beat welfare deadline''). She told of special programs - family-literacy and parenting classes - that have been started to help get at the root cause of poverty. However, what she didn't say is how we're able to implement those programs and the day-to-day operations that provide for the poor and needy in our community.
The answer is - volunteers. At the center, we have four full-time and one part-time employees. Since the beginning of the year, more than 250 volunteers have given more than 3,600 hours of their time. That has enabled us to process more than 1,100 food orders to more than 2,900 people, and give financial assistance to more than 1,100 families. It has also made possible the special programs.
Area churches help with financial assistance and donations of food to our food pantry. Since January, we've received more than $16,000 worth of food from congregations around the valley.
The Presbyterian Community Center has finished a renovation project that will enable us to better serve the community. Once again, the churches helped with financial contributions and volunteer labor, making it possible for us to complete this project in four months, and within our budget. Businesses in the community also contributed money and supplies.
Organizations like the center wouldn't exist if it weren't for volunteers. From teen-agers to senior citizens, they give their time to help others. We want to acknowledge their hard work and dedication, and thank them for all they do.
MARGARET MARTIN
Volunteer Coordinator
Presbyterian Community Center
ROANOKE
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