Bottom lines on the economy

Re “Why this downturn may be no run-of-the-mill recession,” news analysis, Jan. 13

The governor says we need new laws to control state spending. He is right, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. What about federal spending? Congress sits back and watches our economy destroy America because of its actions, and it expects the Federal Reserve Board to fix it with interest rate tweaks?

We need some strong medicine that can only be prescribed by Congress. And I don’t mean thousands of earmarks attached to the defense bill.

We need constitutional amendments to avoid a collapse similar to the one that ended the Soviet Union. However, it is highly unlikely that Congress is going to do anything that might restrict its power.

Robert Corzine

Ridgecrest, Calif.

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Many economists claim that tax cuts to the big corporations act as a stimulus to the economy. If these corporations are using overseas labor, facilities or subcontractors, they should have no tax cuts and, in fact, they should be penalized with a surtax. Tax cuts to stimulate the American economy should be granted in direct proportion to the number of Americans with legal status each company employs in this country. Currently, there is no incentive for companies to keep the jobs and businesses at home.

Bernard Lehrer

Ventura

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Re “It’s gloom times for the economy,” Jan. 11

So, in order to help stave off a possible recession, I should get in my car and drive, using gas I can’t afford, to a store to buy something I don’t need, and I suppose I should buy it on credit and run up interest charges. Sorry, it’s not going to happen. Any day I can avoid doing that is a good day.

Alice Appel

Arroyo Grande, Calif.