Letters
to the Editor:
Delta
does need to stay open
(RE: Jack Criss’ November DBJ editorial): Thank you
so much for bringing to light a problem in the Delta that
seems obvious, but obviously isn’t—the hours
that merchants keep (or don’t keep). Here in Greenwood,
if you are working on a building project around the house,
and it’s 12:01 p.m. on a Saturday, you are out of
luck if you need anything else! Since so many people have
only the weekends to do things like that, it would seem
logical that our local building supply stores would have
longer hours on the weekends. Alas, it is not to be. Hopefully,
some of them will have read your article and get the picture.
Like you, I would rather shop in my hometown, but if I can’t
find something, or the store is closed, I’ll go elsewhere
in a heartbeat. Thank you again.
Robin Person
Greenwood, MS
Criss
hits the bull’s eye
(Jack Criss’) comments about Delta businesses being
lax in adhering to advertised business hours hit the bull’s
eye (“From The Editor”, November DBJ). Nothing
is more irritating than seeing a “back in twenty minutes”
sign in a business window as you arrive to complete a transaction
between appointments.
The number of businesses in our region that still choose
to close on Monday is surprising. There are few fine-dining
choices available for entertaining important out-of-town
clients in our region on Monday night.
When a business feels his business is the only game in town,
complacency can unknowingly set in. I believe the solution
to this problem that plagues the Delta region is simply
“increased competition”.
A study we just completed of the eight-county region in
our own viewing area indicates the economy is on the upswing
and increased competition is on the horizon. Hold on, Jack.
This problem should soon resolve itself.
David
Cavileer
General Manager
WXVT TV
Greenville, MS
Reader
salutes publisher’s comment
Thank you (to Scott Coopwood) for bringing the FairTax plan
to the attention of your readers. For those that may have
missed it, the FairTax is a simple federal sales tax that
will replace the federal income tax and eliminate the IRS
as we know it. The current system is so complicated and
full of loopholes that tax evasion is rampant and all of
us that do try to pay their taxes honestly have to hire
a tax professional to help figure it all out. The system
is so broken the time has come not to fix it, but to replace
it.
The FairTax bill, HR25, is sponsored by John Linder (R)
of Georgia and Collin Peterson (D) of Minnesota. This bill
if passed will repeal the 16th Amendment, eliminate all
payroll taxes so everyone gets to keep 100% of their paychecks,
eliminate corporate taxes and self-employment taxes, and
eliminate all estate, gift and capital gains taxes. It will
also, as you noted, reduce the tax burden on everyone and
completely un-tax the poor.
Above all, it’s fair. You pay the tax when you buy
something new. Everyone pays the same percentage, and everyone
would pay (including those that currently pay nothing like
drug dealers and such). Individual compliance costs would
vanish, (estimated savings to taxpayers of $225 billion)
and compliance itself would be 100%. Current government
programs would be totally funded so for example, Social
Security and Medicare can be protected while at the same
time personal choice and control is increased for every
American.
For your readers who would like more information, they can
contact the grassroots organization Americans for Fair Taxation
at 1-800-FAIRTAX or go to the web site www.fairtax.org.
Thank you again for spotlighting this important bill in
your column.
Jamie Smith
Merigold, MS
Reader
says “amen” to Criss
Regarding Jack Criss’ November editorial, “Keeping
the Delta Open—at regular hours”, all I can
say is “Amen!” I’ll pat my foot while
you preach the sermon.
I have seen my small downtown of Belzoni nearly die and
(not keeping regular hours) is one of the main reasons.
These merchants are also usually the first to dog Wal-Mart.
I hope all merchants read your column.
Not to be negative, but they probably all would say the
merchant next door should listen and not them.
If you cannot be open when the customer needs you, don’t
wonder where they are any other time.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent
CHERYL McLENDON
Belzoni, MS
