LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

From the July 20 edition of the Herald

Term-limit answers equal whining
To the editor:
After reading the letters from Lou Ludovici (whose suggested media "educators" are not even worth mentioning), Torry Watkins and Eugene Sarafin in the July 13, 2007 edition of this paper, I had to respond myself. While I do not agree with Mr. Connor regarding unlimited terms for Bush and Cheney (or anyone for that matter), I have to note that I feel that there should be limited terms for all public office holders from the federal right down to the local level; then maybe we could get back to what this country is supposed to be about; of the people, for the people and by the people.
   With unlimited terms, Clinton would probably still be in the oval office scoring with interns instead of doing his job as leader of the greatest nation on earth, thanks to people like Ludovici, Watkins and Sarafin.
   Mr. Sarafin has the misguided idea that Bush and Cheney have done more to create adversaries and expand terrorism than any other beings on this earth. In fact it was the inaction of the Clinton administration that gave those who attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon the idea that they could get away with such a vicious attack (remember the USS Cole and assorted attacks on U.S. bases during his term). They believe that Americans can not stomach what it is going to take to stop their terrorism. If America is full of people who think like Ludovici, Watkins and Sarafin, then they are right.
   I look at the greatest generation this nation has ever known and think of how sad it is that we do not have the same conviction as those who saved the world from Hitler and his Arian nation. The people of this nation sacrificed at that time because they knew it was important to the freedom of all. How sad it is that Mr. Sarafin would have the gall to express such vicious slander as to compare Bush and Cheney with Hitler. Bin Ladin and his ilk are more like Hitler than Bush or Cheney.
   These terrorists are just sitting and waiting for those whiney people to win and those who want to keep their precious public office will cave to those whining people and give them exactly what they always believed we would do and that is to give up.
   What those whiney people seem to forget is that if those who want to take away our way of life have their way, they will no longer be able to whine like they do.
Sandy Langere
East Windsor
Tax program helps seniors
To the editor:
We continue to hear promises of school funding reform from Trenton, but the sad reality is that the existing formula is not fully funded and will likely never reduce the current burden of property taxes.
   A new formula is not likely to do much better without substantial new sources of revenue. Instead of developing a responsible and coherent system of school funding, the state perpetuates the confusing array of refund and relief programs.
   Fortunately, for many senior citizens in our community, there is one program that totally shields them from property tax increases. It’s the Property Tax Reimbursement program, also called "Senior Freeze". From the year an eligible senior qualifies, he or she pays no increase in property tax. Not for schools. Not for municipal services. Find out whether you qualify.
   The original June deadline was extended to August 15. You can go to the Treasury Web site and find an application (form PTR-1) or call 1-800-882-6597.
Bob Laverty
East Windsor
Editor’s note: Mr. Laverty sits on the East Windsor regional school board.
Both parties fail at tax reform
To the editor:
The following is a letter I recently sent to Sen. Ellen Karcher and Assemblyman Michael Panter:
   
Dear Mike and Ellen:
   Property tax reform was the agenda we voters wanted addressed either by the Assembly and Senate or by a constitutional convention for property tax reform ballot question. We elected Democrats this last election to carry out property tax reform. They haven’t.
   The Band Aid of dedicating another one half percent to property tax relief through a referendum is not reform. The inequities from failures to re-evaluate properties in municipalities in New Jersey is criminal in terms of equal protection of the law. The property tax burden is regressive, creates poor municipal planning and drives citizens from their homes. Is that what the Democratic part is about? The Democratic Party legislators have made a serious mistake in failing to present any form of property tax reform.
   I am joining an organization that will send the message to all our legislators that we want PTR, Property Tax Reform. In fact when I cast my vote this fall it will be for a write-in of PTR for every Assembly and Senate candidate. I really don’t care who gets elected since neither party is capable of addressing property tax reform. The Democrats or Republicans are not interested in property tax reform. If they were, there would be some action to do so.
   Maybe the message will get through to our legislative bodies of either party when they lose their majorities over the next few election cycles. It is a shame that we, as voters, have to remove fine representatives because they are incapable of getting their political party to recognize the wishes of their constituents.
   You and Ellen have done a fine job as my elected representatives, but your fellow Democratic Party legislators have refused to provide PTR. When the Democrats lose their majority in the Assembly and Senate, maybe they will rethink PTR. We, the electorate, will vote PTR in even if the Legislature doesn’t.
   My candidates for the Legislature this fall are PTR. My lawn signs will say " Vote for PTR — just a simple write-in for all legislative positions on Election Day. Send a message they can’t ignore." Let’s see you all campaign against this political opponent called PTR.
Gene Sarafin
Hightstown