To the Editor:

I’m going to miss Don Weathington’s columns. (TDB 1-19)

Responding to “Birdland” ideas has kept my thinking and writing skills sharp (or at least not dull).

In his latest, he laments the extension of the “Bush Tax Cuts.” The liberals got three of their agenda items (repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, start treaty and extended unemployment benefits) and gave one. A great deal for them, I’d say.

Further, he dismisses the Laffer curve (how lowering taxes actually increases economic activity) as te “laughter” curve. Good line, Don. However, decreasing taxes HAS increased revenue – Kennedy in the 60s, Reagan and Bush.  Economies do not turn on a dime. The effect is never immediate.

Liberals think that lowering taxes caused our economic “meltdown.” Basically, the trouble began with the government forcing banks to give mortgages, under threat of “investigations,” to people who patently could not afford them. Thank you, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. Results: foreclosures and bankruptcies.

Don takes issue with the “Republican agenda” stating that it “never seemed to represent the values on which the nation was founded – equal opportunity and Christian values.” This is way, way, WAY over the top.

Republicans tend to be conservative (I wish it were more universal). Who is it that advocates for keeping “God” in the pledge, gives more to private charities (than liberals) and dare I say, “clings to God and guns?”

As for equal opportunity, the Constitution provides for that but not equality of outcomes.

We already have the richest “poor” on earth. Our “least” is better by far than the “least” in any other country.

Bless you, Don, and thank you.

— Bob Neubauer