Jesse Kelly + References to Christ and Wealth = Moron
Thanks to Jim Nintzel for exposing the cockamamie tax schemes of the four Republican clowns who are vying to oppose Gabrielle Giffords, and how they would force the rest of us to pay yet again for tax cuts for the rich ("Regressive Direction," April 15). This seems like a good time to recall that Warren Buffett not long ago offered a million dollars to any CEO who could prove that he paid a higher tax rate than his secretary. Nobody took him up on it.
But the height of absurdity is Jesse Kelly's crack: "If 10 percent was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for the United States of America." Jesus never said anything endorsing any tax rate. Here's what he did say: "None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions" (Luke 14:33). Jesus attacked the rich often ("Woe unto you who are rich," Luke 6:24), and flatly said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25).
Giving tax breaks to the rich is about the most anti-Christian teaching one can conceive, especially because (as Rupert Murdoch and others have put it, agreeing with Jesus and Augustine) the more money you have, the more you want.
Insatiable greed may be the engine of capitalism, but only a moron would try to justify it by invoking the Bible.
Herbert N. Schneidau
Clarifications
In "Protection With Teeth" (Currents, April 15), we reported that Carolyn Campbell said the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan remained relevant because it has always had "three Democratic votes." However, Campbell insists that she never made a reference to party affiliation, and that, in fact, all five current supervisors have been supportive of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
In "Noshing Notes" (Noshing Around, April 8), we reported that students with ID can get 2-for-1 tacos after 3 p.m. through April at all Chipotle locations; we neglected to include the fact that the offer is good only on Tuesdays, for high school and college students. We apologize for the omission.
