I just wanted to drop you a quick note that I found editor-in-chief Bill Carlino's letter to the president-elect offensive ("Dear Mr. President-elect," Dec. 15, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009, page 6) - in case you were under the impression that you were uniformly representing your readership in the comments you made. Although I would not expect your publication to be in favor of a lot of his agenda, I believe he deserves more respect than you showed him.Bryan Zink, CPA
Tampa, Fla.
You are the editor-in-chief of a quality publication. Act like it. Your flippant attitude toward the newly elected president and vice president came across as juvenile. Have someone edit your column for tone and substance.
Robert L Shreiner, CPA
South Bend, Ind.
I couldn't read the rest of this issue after reading your editorial - I thought I had gotten an issue of New Republic. You should really get over losing - and write about accounting issues.
As to "class warfare," how about Sarah Palin's remarks on folks in the little towns - who are the "real Americans?" Don't real Americans live in New York or Los Angeles?
And "Joe the Plumber?" Please! He is like so many of my clients who complain about taxes when they hardly pay any. I never met a successful person who said, "I'm not going to make any more money because taxes take it all" - but I do hear that comment from unsuccessful people like Joe.
Our tax system has always been about wealth redistribution to a point. It's a progressive tax and always has been.
We have had eight years of doing it one way - everyone whistling a happy tune on overstuffed credit, declining tax rates and inflated deficits. It sure looks like prosperity when you are spending 110 percent of your income - but it can't last.
In my 40 years of voting, I have voted for few candidates who actually won - but I always wished the new guy well and hoped they did a good job for our country. How about giving the new guy a chance?
Or do you believe we are in the "Obama Recession," like Rush says?
Joel Garfield, CPA
Tarzana, Calif.
Editor's Note: I appreciate everyone's feedback, and I actually did receive one letter congratulating me for being spot-on with regard to the issues. But I promised Senator McCain I would not embarrass him by publishing it. -B.C.
