Defense of Disney’s Moves Draws Fire

I find myself outraged at your defense of Disney (Editorial, “Shooting Yourself In the Gate,” Sept. 6).

Disney under (Michael) Eisner had record profits and (he) a record salary. If you review the admission prices since Eisner has been in charge, they have risen at twice the rate of inflation. This is not the Disney that Walt wanted--affordable family entertainment. No blue-collar family can afford a weekend stay at the outrageous prices charged.

Do you think that greedy CEOs and companies pay themselves and players outrageous salaries because customers are willing to pay higher and higher admissions?

Following your logic, you should be pursuing the elimination of the hotel taxes because that, like taxes on amusements, discourage attendance.

I think The Times editorial page should look at corporate welfare PAC money to Anaheim officials, federal funds to get park accesses for Disney--hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars. This is nothing more than another form of welfare. What happened to the free market?

And Eisner, in turn, then resorts to blackmail--we won’t build the park. Rest assured that after government subsidies, record profits will pour in but our federal deficit will continue to rise.

Bring back the children man--another Walt Disney!

LESLIE J. RACEY

Irvine