Letters to the editor:
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Reform the Boondoggle

While I appreciate the calls from the publisher for winching our ox out of the ditch, I think that enacting an income tax soon would move us down the proverbial slippery slope in today's political climate ["Getting the State's Ox Out of the Ditch" by Joe Sullivan, Vol. 9, No. 47]. Metro Pulse has been good to objectively present the challenges and possibilities with TennCare, but I am convinced that few Tennessee citizens know much about this massive system and financial problem facing the state.

In short, an income tax now would provide a short term hiding place for state politicians who don't have the political courage to begin appropriately reforming this poorly designed and administered program.

Yes, our state universities verge on mediocre for the majority of students. The facilities and the offerings are slipping significantly (outside the athletic departments). I would prefer a lottery to an income tax, but I'm resigned to the Bible Belt politics in the state. Yes, our sales taxes are regressive, but that has been the will of the majority of Tennessee voters and I've not been aware of much of an outcry in the 25 years that I've been a resident here.

Currently, patients with chronic problems like diabetes and HIV move to Tennessee for the freebies. I have distant relatives who have moved to Tennessee for chronic care because TennCare covers it and their home state doesn't. While these are only high-profile examples of a much more complex problem, they help to convince me that this system is not one that deserves its current funding, much less taxing me.

Once our state politicians have the courage to make an intelligent, difficult effort to reform this health boondoggle that is sucking us all dry, I'm happy to talk about the state's need to increase its burden on me. Until then, I suggest that Governor Sundquist hop off the easy path to fiscal well-being and start facing our biggest problem, TennCare, head on.

Bill Sullivan, Jr.
Knoxville

No Yoke

I am a frequent reader of your publication. Since it is free, I usually like to take several copies. This is similar to the attitude of about a quarter of Tennesseans currently on TennCare. Since there is no cost, many Tennesseans abuse the system. No deductible? No co-payments? No prescription costs? Now the state has No MONEY! The TennCare program obviously needs reform. Unfortunately, we have to rely on many of the same representatives that created the program to make the needed reforms.

Your statement that the "resisters are so mired in the underbrush that they can't even see the trees, let alone the forest" is insulting. Perhaps, the same can be said of many of the "tax, tax & spend, spend" supporters of an income tax. Don't you think we have enough levels of taxation in the state?

As for a state income tax yoke, this ox is pulling another plow.

Mark Sparkman
Knoxville

A Great Person

Jack Neely has done a wonderful job again ["Richard Marius, 1933-1999," Vol. 9, No. 45]. Richard Marius was truly unique. My wife and I were active in the Knoxville Council on Human Relations and were friends of Richard. He was unfailingly good-natured and pleasant to be with. The last time I saw him was at a Lenoir City funeral home. One of his parents had died and we had recently moved there. He reminded us of the time we picketed General Leslie Groves speaking at a Boy Scout dinner at UT. The university removed the big grass-covered mounds right after. My wife had just had surgery but insisted on being there and Richard was very proud of her. A small book was published during Tennessee's bicentennial in 1986. Richard had an article in there about his growing up in Lenoir City. There were some very sad parts, very well done. I'm proud to have known him. Last year I sent him an email and even in his email answer, his writing was wonderful, all about riding home on his bicycle in the rain from a night seminar with his graduate students in a drizzling rain. He was great person.

J R Rutter
Paducah, Ky.