Opinion: Seniors, roads and the environment need my $500 tax cut a lot more than I do

To the editor: Jonah Goldberg makes a good point about there being ideological differences underlying the way liberals and conservatives talk about government deficits, but his analysis doesn’t go far enough. (“Deficits matter, when the other guys are responsible,” Opinion, Dec. 4)

The role of government is not limited to supporting economic growth, contrary to what Goldberg implies in his statements on how liberals and conservatives differ in how to go about doing that. Leaving an extra $500 in my pocket every year will not pay for transportation projects or cleaning the air. Government has a responsibility to protect the broader interests of all the people, in tension with corporations that are increasingly more powerful than individuals.

I happen not to believe the Republican tax cuts will stimulate enough economic growth to pay for themselves. And I believe that when the Republicans start cutting back on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, along with tossing out health and safety regulations, there will be even more of us falling through the tatters of the safety net hearing, “Well, you should have taken better care of yourself.”

Cheryl McDonald, Pasadena

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To the editor: Goldberg starts off with a good point, and then he smoothly sails across the entire ocean without feeling any waves.

It’s true that Democrats are making a lot of noise about the deficit, not normally their territory. However it seems obvious to many of us that the deficit-minded Republicans already intend to gut Medicare, Social Security and aid to states for Medicaid not long after they launch the ship.

Goldberg appears to be telling us that a janitor making $15 an hour can save his $300 annual tax cuts to get the $100,000 for comprehensive medical services he may need when he gets old. I know, Goldberg’s model really does work well for people making $500,000 and up.

Ken Hense, El Segundo

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To the editor: Goldberg writes, “Liberals start from the assumption that the government is entitled to as much revenue as it needs.”

He is just trolling your readers. Isn’t there a more insightful conservative voice out there? Come on, there must be.

David Weaver, San Juan Capistrano

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