Recently, the article, The dogs ate my passport , was published. Although it was heartwarming and a bit comedic, there is a very broad range of topics that could have been written about instead of the Collins’ unfortunate accident on their way to Russia to find their new son, Owen. For example, the bill H.R.1037.I.H., the Prevent Bank Fraud by Terrorists Act of 2003, attempts to prohibit funding national crimes through illegal money transfers.

Republican Representative Joe Wilson of the 2nd District does not support nor oppose this bill. Since he has supported protecting Americans from future terrorist attacks, it would make sense for him to vote for the Prevent Bank Fraud by Terrorists Act of 2003 because it protects Americans from losing their bank accounts to illegal crimes instead of just helping those hurt by September 11. Reasonably, Columbia Star readers would agree with the benefits of H.R.1037.I.H. Please urge the South Carolina politician to change his vote.

Jannet Blas

Student of John Marshall High School, CA

No! to local option sales tax question Many years ago I served on a city council in North Carolina and got a good lesson about the pressure on politicians to raise taxes. We had no trouble getting funds for necessary things. It was money for things that were none of our business that caused us the most trouble. After a while we got to thinking we could make everybody happy if we shoveled enough money out the door.

Richland County Council members think that, too, and they have to look for new money to pay the bills. They’ve wanted a local sales tax for a long time but have always been turned down by voters. This time council is offering a bribe to property owners to gain their support of a local sales tax. They promise to take 100% of the new money from a 1% local tax and give it to home and commercial property owners as a tax credit. People who own a lot of property would stand to gain the most. But the owner of a $100,000 house in an unincorporated area would get only $235. Their sales tax rate would go up 20%.

If the new money is all going to property owners, what is in it for the county? Simple. Council can raise the millage as fast as it needs to for higher costs of operation. They promise to give sales tax revenues to property owners but they cannot promise to hold the line on property tax (millage) increases.

I’m not interested in accepting the bribe if it’s going to lead to higher prices for almost everything I buy, plus a return to higher property taxes down the road. So I’ll vote “No” on the November 2 Local Option Sales Tax question.

Jim A. Rayfield