Readers weigh in tax cuts, surveillance

We need to denounce corruption now

Where are the loud voices of alarm in years past that worried about electronic intelligence “eavesdropping” on Americans as a huge threat to our civil rights now that we have evidence that the FBI, the Justice Department and the IRS were being so uncivil all this time? Some of us are old enough to remember the bipartisan outrage over the Watergate scandal. Is it only a scandal if Republicans are the bad guys?

Congressional Democrats behaved at the State of the Union as if they are totally dedicated to The Resistance. The party’s responses were no better than the behavior. Is this the real Democratic Party we are seeing? Is it perfectly willing to sacrifice the Dreamer immigrants in order to block any significant additional border protection? Does it really believe the IRS should make judgments based on political ideology?

There have been political abuses of government power in the past, but we are on the road to tyranny unless good people of all political persuasions are willing to stand up and denounce the kind of corruption that has now been exposed. WILLIAM H. WILD, KETTERING

Seeking answers to youth violence

Re “Slain teen’s family sends message,” Feb. 12: I applaud the mother who honored her son’s memory with action. She put up a billboard and demanded the community stop the violence in Springfield. This mother’s story, downtown Springfield crime statistics, and your article, “More youths join gangs, carry guns,” demand change right now. Statistics may be accurate, but they’re only numbers. In Springfield, people are killed, people are locked up, and people are addicted to drugs. People are victims of violence.

Restorative justice programs are extremely successful in other parts of the country in reducing violence. They have shown astounding success in stopping habitual crimes, saving time and judicial expenses, and preventing jail time and costs. Restorative justice practices in our schools and in our justice system can help victims feel that justice has been done. It can lessen victim’s emotional pain, and reduce the desire for violent revenge.

Restorative justice programs can help reduce violence in Springfield if we give them a chance. PEGGY HANNA, SPRINGFIELD

Did Reich miss the boat on tax cut?

Re “Trump’s tax cut is fueling stock buybacks, not growth,” Feb. 15: Robert Reich’s argument against the Trump tax cut is that it is increasing stock buybacks by corporations, which artificially prop up their share prices. He claims that doesn’t grow the economy at all.

The last time I checked, well over half of the population is invested in the stock market, owning shares of stock, either directly or via mutual funds, 401(K)’s, etc. I’m no expert, but it would seem that if the price of a share of stock rises, all owners of those stock shares see an increase in their accounts. That helps millions who rely on stock dividends and retirement fund distributions to live on, which means spending and economic growth, does it not? Reich entirely ignores that, saying only that wealthy people benefit the most.

This is yet another example of Reich using selective facts and rationale to make his point, while ignoring any facts or rationale that might contradict him. JOSEPH BRAFFORD, BEAVERCREEK