Binding Morality and Economics

* Fred Smoller’s commentary (July 5), which appeared to be half cynical observation of grass-roots success over big-money tacticians and half hindsighted complaints, whines and sour grapes, is just another example of how ivory tower academicians fail to learn from the lessons of real life. Since his arguments are so pathetically weak, he resorts to straw men and ad hominem attacks. His assertion that “far too many” Orange Countians “have an irrational hatred of government” and believe that “government is an illegitimate social entity” and that “taxes are theft” is probably a reflection of his own statist convictions since Orange County suffers from a shortage of anarchists.

By comparing what O.C. pays in taxes to other counties, as well as General Motors, he not only throws out red herrings, but seems to show a total lack of comprehension of what the majority of O.C. voters were saying. They understand the relationship between morality and economics, that responsible parties should be held accountable for their actions, and that it is wrong to punish everyone for the actions of a few.

They also realize that budget-cutting takes priority over tax-raising, and that raising taxes can also harm the tax base. These are simple moral and economic truths, but not too simple to those who seem to be having a love affair with “enlightened” collectivist solutions.

RICHARD MENDOZA

Santa Ana