for and against Djou

Now there are many things one could call the Bush economy, an economy that, even before recession struck, was characterized by sluggish job growth and stagnant family incomes; “vibrant” isn’t one of them. But the real news here is the confirmation that Republicans remain committed to deep voodoo, the claim that cutting taxes actually increases revenues.

It’s not true, of course. Ronald Reagan said that his tax cuts would reduce deficits, then presided over a near-tripling of federal debt. When Bill Clinton raised taxes on top incomes, conservatives predicted economic disaster; what actually followed was an economic boom and a remarkable swing from budget deficit to surplus. Then the Bush tax cuts came along, helping turn that surplus into a persistent deficit, even before the crash.

But we’re talking about voodoo economics here, so perhaps it’s not surprising that belief in the magical powers of tax cuts is a zombie doctrine: no matter how many times you kill it with facts, it just keeps coming back. And despite repeated failure in practice, it is, more than ever, the official view of the G.O.P.

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How many jobs do poor create?

David Chappell ("Djou supports party of the rich," Letters, June 22) states that "Lowering taxes on the rich does not create jobs."

Will raising taxes on the rich create jobs? How many jobs do companies and individuals who make less the $250,000 create?

Warren Fukushima
Pearl City

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Djou supports party of the rich

Recent comments about U.S. Rep. Charles Djou's phone queries seem to neglect what those leading questions demonstrate: He belongs to the party that serves the rich. It doesn't care about people who have lost their jobs and homes in this recession.

One of his first votes was against the extension of unemployment benefits. That says it all: Let them sleep on the street! Ever since the Reagan era, the rich have gotten much richer, the poor have gotten poorer, and the rest of us have struggled with debt.

Lowering taxes on the rich does not create jobs. It enables big businesses to gobble each other up while driving small businesses out of the market. But the rich control the media and fund lobbyists to divert people's attention from the real culprits, so some folks get angry at any government effort to help those who need it.

David Chappell
Kaneohe

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U.S. Rep. Charles Djou has introduced a new level of political representation to Hawaii, one that is truly representative of the people, long overdue, new and refreshing.

He has dared break from the stagnant, "If you're a Democrat, you're one of us" political philosophy that has permeated Hawaii politics for decades.

In the short time he has been in Congress, Djou has made several contacts with Hawaii residents requesting their feedback on political issues and reassuring them of his responses.

Star-Advertiser columnist Lee Cataluna hit it right on the button when she asked how many times Hawaii residents have heard from the other old (Democrat) horses in Congress besides when they wanted to shore up their votes.

Djou is good for Hawaii; we should keep him in Washington.

Alfred Freitas Jr.
Honolulu

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Djou, please stop annoying calls

For an entire week, every day I came home from work I got this message in my home phone recording: "Charles Djou. Do you believe that government is spending too much and hindering the economy? Charles Djou." I bet many other registered voters have received the same message. I can understand politicians reaching out to voters, but, please, not by means of repetitive, annoying crank phone calls like that. This technique is intrusive and crass, like Viagra and Rogaine telemarketing. C'mon Congressman Djou, there's got to be a better way to market yourself.

Doug Nguyen
Honolulu