Letters to the Editor for Jan. 8

It’s New York’s bloated budget that needs to go on a diet

It is obvious that Gov. Paterson is “fishing” for reaction to his proposed “obesity tax” on soft drinks. The real purpose is to see if he (and the Legislature) can get the camel’s nose under the tent [for] when they need additional revenue next year. Democrats and Republicans need to reject his proposal, as this would be the first of many steps resulting in higher taxes.

If the intent is to reduce obesity in children, why are they taxing carbonated soft drinks? There are more calories in a similar amount of grape juice or orange juice than in Coke! Sugared “juice drinks” would be another target. Why stop there; what about the cookie aisle? There is a huge opportunity to increase revenue in the name of obesity reduction by taxing all cookies with sugar. Next, check out the cereal aisle. Then, slide over to the frozen food aisle and look at ice cream. And why stop at sugar, when there is so much butter fat in ice cream?

I could give more examples — such as baked pies, cakes, donuts and muffins — but you get the point. Gov. Paterson can move out of the supermarket into Dunkin’ Donuts and restaurants, and tax everything that contains sugar. Why stop with sugared treats? Tax the meals — those nasty French fries and double hamburgers. As you can see, the opportunities for the obesity tax are limitless.

However, what the governor needs to do is cut spending. That way, you don’t have to keep finding new and mindless ways to tax people who are up to their necks in taxes. What our governor and Legislature are pushing for is a tax revolt.

[Maybe] we need a new political party that represents the people’s interests and is willing to make tough decisions to reduce spending and the unlimited growth of state government without worrying about being elected to another term.

Ken Lakich

Clifton Park

Parking meters will kill Saratoga’s downtown

I am extremely disappointed at the lack of creativity shown by the city of Saratoga Springs and Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim, who evidently feel that downtown parking meters will rake in the dough [Dec. 18 Gazette].

This is a shortsighted way to try to solve a budget crisis. It would, in fact, push customers to the malls, where they can have free parking anytime. This bogus, paid-parking idea would decrease potential sales tax income, reduce foot traffic and add to a potential decrease of small business income so important to the city.

If you want to empty out the storefronts and send shoppers to the malls where parking is free, go ahead and do it.

Alan Edstrom

Saratoga Springs

Palestinians must be willing to let Israel exist

Re Jan. 2 letter, “U.S. too tolerant of Israel’s belligerence”: Once again Tom Ellis rails against the wrong party in his tirade against Israel.

Imagine a country the size of New Jersey shelled by cowardly, indiscriminate murderers from the hills of Pennsylvania. How long would the United States tolerate such slaughter? And at what point do you try to end 40 years of such attacks? And whose fault is it that these murderers hide within populated areas, sometimes even in religious institutions?

To the uninformed, the conflict appears to have fault on each side. One must remember that Israel was created by the world from the ashes of the Holocaust, when the United Nations made the Palestinian protectorate Trans-Jordan for non-Jewish people, and Israel — the first and only Jewish state in the world — a shining democracy friendly to the United States.

Since then, so-called non-Jewish Palestinians have been indoctrinated with hate. The “land for peace” public relations ruse has meant only an increase in the indiscriminate murder that the world chooses to call terrorism. Displaced persons have always been offered compensation. Instead, they have chosen to try to take that which the world gave Jews: Israel. All that is needed for peace is for Israel’s detractors to lay down their weapons.

Bruce S. Trachtenberg

Niskayuna

Israel’s attack on Gaza inhumane, unwarranted

The downward spiral of violence in Gaza, which has the backing of the United States, is criminal.

The civilian bloodshed and casualties now number more than 400 killed, almost 2,000 wounded. This action is a page out of history, when German bombers killed an equal number of civilians during the Spanish Civil War in Guernica, Spain.

Gaza is the most densely populated area in the Middle East. Houses, office buildings, schools and hospitals are densely compacted into a small area. It is impossible to strike Hamas targets without causing high civilian casualties. Think Manhattan.

This latest action follows an 18-month siege by Israel that has choked the supply of food, medicine, machines needed for electricity and hospitals. This has created a humanitarian crisis that affects the most vulnerable — Palestinian children, the elderly and sick. Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu called this blockade an “abomination.”

The Israeli army engages daily in degrading and inhumane treatment toward Palestinians, such as prolonged detention without charges, strip searches at checkpoints, beatings, torture and home demolitions.

All of this is tacitly supported by the United States, which supplies the weapons and utters vacuous words urging Israel to try to limit civilian casualties.

Why does the Arab world hate us? The answer is on the front pager of our daily newspapers.

Rev. Rich Broderick

Cambridge

Ellis cardiac unit there with the best of them

When my husband failed his cardiac stress test a few weeks ago, my immediate thought was that if he needed cardiac surgery, St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany would be our best choice. This decision was based on word of mouth, newspaper articles and TV promos recognizing their expertise in this field. Then, as circumstances would dictate, my husband’s cardiac catheterization at Schenectady’s Ellis Hospital indicated the need for immediate admission and bypass surgery. We had no choice but to remain right where we were.

From admission to surgery to ICU to the A5 cardiac unit, we could not have had better care. Everyone involved — physicians, nurses, support staff — administered exemplary professional, empathetic and gentle care, giving us reassurance and peace of mind during a most anxiety-filled time.

My purpose in writing this is to help make everyone aware of what a treasure we have right here in Schenectady. Although the staff and administration of Ellis Hospital has had to contend with recent mergers, budgetary constraints and the myriad problems all hospitals face, it has managed to put together a first-class cardiac medical/surgical unit. We are grateful for their presence in our community.

Anita M. Haugen

Glenville