To the editor:
 I received a campaign mailer from Rob Wittman today. Now, I like Rob enough personally, but I am so frustrated by his incompetence in Washington, D.C., that I want to scream every time I hear him talk or see his letters and mailers. He is clueless.
 Mr. Wittman writes that without taking action, total federal spending will reach 50 percent of GDP by 2054. Really? 2054? What is so significant about 2054? Nothing is significant about 2054, and we can’t assume that the government will not take action before 2054. In fact, action will come far sooner than 2054. The president is already working on a deficit reduction plan.
 Rob argues that Washington, D.C., spent $21,000 per household annually through the 1980s and 1990s, but this year the projection is $31,000. Really? I am surprised the number is that low. We do have two wars going on, and we are trying to kickstart a failing economy, aren’t we? When the wars are over (and we have made more progress toward the end of those wars since January 2009 than we made during the previous six years), and the economy recovers, does Rob believe that the number will remain at $31,00 per household? If he does, he’s wrong.
 Next Rob complains that the deficit will be 62 percent of GPD by 2035. Once again, he applies superficial reasoning. The deficit always increases as a percentage of GDP in recessions. This particular deficit has the double whammy of occurring while we are fighting two wars. When we finally get this economy moving again (before 2035), we will see the deficit decline (just like we did under Bill Clinton).
 So, what does Rob want to do get the economy going? He wants to give a new business start-up tax deduction. What will this achieve? Nothing. Small business can already deduct $10,000 in start-up and organizational expenses. Most small businesses do not have $10,000 in startup expenses, and even fewer have profits to offset with the deduction. A grant would be a better way to stimulate business startups.
 He wants to reduce capital gains taxes. Republicans will always tell you that lowering taxes is the only solution to any problem. Capital gains tax rates are 15 percent. If you think a 15 percent capital gains tax rate serves as a barrier to investment, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. And, don’t even get me started on the effect his cut might have on the deficit he wants so desperately to reduce.
 He wants to “eliminate bureaucratic red tape to help small businesses thrive.” What does that mean? Is all red tape bad, or just some red tape? Would he support elimination of the pollution controls established to help restore the Chesapeake Bay?
 But, the biggest shock to me was Rob’s claim that he wants to “help the unemployed.” You see Rob wants to end the taxation of unemployment benefits. This would help people who receive unemployment benefits, but Rob voted to terminate unemployment benefits for millions of people. How much would Rob cut the tax rate? 30 percent? 40 percent? 50 percent? He could cut it 100 percent, if he wanted to, because 100 percent of zero is still, well, zero.
 Rob is a smart person. He just has bad ideas. The biggest problem with the economy isn’t taxes. It isn’t government spending. The biggest problem with the economy is confidence. Corporations have record cash on hand. Banks have money to lend again. The problem is, corporations are holding their cash out of fear, and individuals aren’t borrowing. The only way to get private spending going again is to kickstart it with government spending. When Rob and his Republican buddies almost successfully derailed unemployment extensions and aid to the state governments, confidence that was building fall again. How are people going to get confidence back when it takes last minute votes to pass desperately needed economic legislation every time?
 Rob needs to know that if he’s not part of the solution, he’s part of the problem. We should tell him that by voting against him this fall. Show him we aren’t as stupid as his mailer supposes we are.
Nicholas Smith
WDC Chair
Montross, VA  

To the editor:
My hat’s off to Ms. Marty van Duyne for her superb article in The Journal on Aug. 11, 2010. Ms. van Duyne is a wonderful person and writer who has written so beautifully about our farm over the years. Her tribute to my late wife, Jean C. Slater, is indeed a masterpiece.
Further clarification on one point is needed, i.e. “Slater charges a fee for the Scouts to stay on the farm.” I believe two words were omitted, and it should have read “Slater does not charge a fee...” The Slater Farm has never charged for camping at the Farm.
Hundreds of Scout troops, pre-school, school, and church groups and other visitors have visited at no cost or charge whatsoever over many years.
The Slaters welcome such visits. Why do we do this? Frankly, we relish the happy smiles on the faces and “Many thanks” from participants who have enjoyed their sight-seeing and educational visits. We’ll even “toss in” hayrides they’ll never forget.
Again, our hats are off to Ms. van Duyne and The Journal for helping to make this all possible.
Sincerely,
Jim Slater
King George

To the editor:
When you are in the hospital and told there’s nothing more can be done YOU LISTEN and then give thanks for the life you’ve had.
My last stay in Mary Washington Hospital was one to remember as these wods were spoken to me because of my condition (Congestive heart failure). I had many blood samples drawn from my body by different departments, some were painful, some no pain.
The very painful needle was to a hard-to-get artery. So two respiratory therapists tried and failed to get blood, saying how difficult it was. They sent a new therapist in the room who said, “nothing to it.” That was said with a confidence that encouraged me, and so, he was right, I didn’t feel anything.
When he finished, he told me the difference in veins and arteries.. “The ones leaving your heart is the supply, that’s an artery. The one returning to the heart is the vein.”  I thought about this and later I lifted up my hands in prayer, thinking how the blood that flows up through the artery is my lifeline, life is in the blood.
I reached up my hand as far as I could, imagine in my mind the blood flowing from my heart through the artery to the tip of my fingers. There, GOD receiving my thanks and praise from the bottom of my heart. HE then continues faithfully to return it through my fingertips, my blessings and answered prayers through the the veins toward my physical and spiritual life. Even though the heart struggles at times, through it all, we still have hope and know all will be well in the end. Thank you so much, God bless.
James Roach
Colonial Beach