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Letters to the Editor: Inspections can disarm Saddam Ever since September 11th, President Bush has been seeking to directly link Iraq to those attacks. This allows the president to redirect the nation's fear of al-Qaida toward Iraq - an easier target for military action. But despite efforts by the CIA and FBI, not a shred of valid evidence has emerged. Staffers have reported to the New York Times that questionable intelligence is being employed for political purposes. The AP reports that journalists found no evidence of manufacturing at a supposed chemical weapons factory described by Powell to the U.N. The Bush administration is trying to manipulate us. They are trying to use fear of terrorism and anger regarding September 11th to strong-arm a war that has nothing to do with either. We know that Saddam Hussein is a terrible man. We know that he gassed his own people. But that was known before the Gulf War, and we did not use that to justify conquering Iraq to "take him out." We know he plays games. It is possible that he has bad weapons. But all that was true in the mid-1990s, when inspectors destroyed nearly all of his weapons and ended his nuclear development program. The administration demonstrates that they are willing to resort to demagoguery in a rush to war. They are using deception and fear mongering. Inspections can disarm Saddam. The inspectors know it, other countries know it, and history proves it. Janet G. Zucker Robert S. Zucker Ashland Critical meeting on housing issues The February 12th meeting of the Ashland League of Women Voters is focused on affordable housing in Ashland, and the public is invited to attend. Those wishing the $7 lunch at 11:30 a.m. should RSVP to Anita, at 488-7850. The meeting is held at noon Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the Elk's Club's lower diningroom; attendees should enter from the rear of the building. About half of the employees of major employers in Ashland cannot afford to live here, nor can many who grew up in Ashland. Is the city doomed to become a place very different from the place we love and feel comfortable in? That's the question a group from LWVA has been studying. The group Chair, Anita Nevison, will introduce the topic and briefly discuss the Needs Study and certain land use issues. Connie Sholem will discuss the role of The Housing Trust, Maxine Goff will talk about the role system development charges play, and Iris Milan will talk about the role of the new city housing program specialist, and about rentable housing. The city's senior planner, Bill Molnar, staff member of Ashland's Housing Commission, will answer questions about governmental roles in facilitating affordable housing. Again, the public is invited to attend and take part in the discussion. Hal Cloer, Ashland An e-mail sent to President Bush Be sure to save all unborn fetuses. But go ahead and kill off our sons, grandsons and bomb all Iraqi men, women and children. Your war is madness. Nancy Littell Fox, Ashland Guest forum: Wise decisions needed regarding U.S. economy By Michael C. Haynes Ashland I have watched the media with great interest, debate concerning how we should proceed in an effort to revive our economy. I note, the misinformation and complete lack of ability to understand basic economic concepts being provided to the public. We continually hear that the Democrats refuse to lower taxes. What we don't hear is that the Democrats want to lower the taxes of the middle or lower income taxpayers and not lower the taxes of the rich. There is a relationship between lowering taxes and creating more national debt. If taxes are lowered, without any significant and measurable positive short term results, the national debt will increase. It is hoped that by lowering the taxes of the rich, we will have long term increase in the economy. If we want our economy to recover quickly, then changes in government spending and lowering the taxes of the lower and middle income taxpayers is in order. This is simply recognized as short run effects and long run effects. One famous economist suggested that it is the short run we should be interested in � in the long run we are all dead. Perhaps this wisdom has application in our economy today. To understand how changes in taxes can effect the economy, we need to understand the spending habits of individuals. If we give a dollar to a mother with children who has just lost her job, by reducing her taxes, she will immediately spend the dollar. Hence we get an immediate effect in the economy. If we give a dollar to a rich person, he or she would be expected to save the money, rather than immediately spend the extra dollar. The long run effect could be to increase investment in the future. Economist refer to this spending of individuals as based on the concept of marginal propensity to consume and marginal propensity to save. Poorer individuals have a higher propensity to spend, while richer individuals have a higher propensity to save. The more conservative elements in our economy argue that by making the rich richer, they will invest the excess income and create jobs and prosperity in the economy. I am not convinced this is a workable concept as I look at many of the goods I buy and notice they are made in China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and other countries. It would seem that a great deal of corporate investment is not invested in the American economy. Ours is a great nation and our economy is the envy of many of the nations of the world. Our standard of living is the highest in the world, but we must always be on guard to support policies that will provide for the greatest good for the greatest number. In order to do this we must understand basic economic concepts and the effect policies will have on the economy. The choice is ours through the democratic process. Lets hope we make some wise and correct decisions. Michael C. Haynes is professor emeritus of economics, Southern Oregon University. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -