Evaluating Evans
Re "Evans On The Economy -- Four More Years," January 2005: I do not always agree with Michael's views, but in this case he is right on. The bad news is we are stuck with George W. for four more years. The good news is those that voted for him will pay the price. Fortunately, I have an incurable illness and will not live long enough to have to pay up.
Joseph Ombrello, President
JARO Investments Inc.
Albemarle, N.C.
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Political decisions -- all decisions -- involve compromise. While I do not know the President as intimately as [Mike Evans], who must reside in the Lincoln Room, [I realize] as a voter . . . you have to go with the candidate who best embodies your ideals. If you wait for someone who completely matches your beliefs, that candidate will probably get only one vote, yours.
Evans has many ideas that are good -- appropriately indexing the increases in Social Security would be one. I am 52 and I have no objection to raising my retirement age for Social Security to help my kids.
Rather than speculation about deficit spending or the character of presidential appointments, stick with those good ideas you have. They have the potential for doing much good. That does not mean they will be easy to implement. But with good people who understand the problem and the need for reform, those ideas can become reality.
Don Wilkins, principal engineer
The Boeing Co.
O'Fallon, Mo.
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Stand Up For Kyoto
Re ""Editor's Page -- Ready Or Not: Here Comes Kyoto," February 2005: Brings up the old question regarding budgets. Department A flies coach and makes their trip selection based upon frugal business criteria. Department B flies business and sends their people all over the place, whether justifiable or boondoggle. Department B's manager is praised by his employees. CFO says to cut costs by 10%, which cuts into Department A's ability to effectively function, while cutting only a portion of the excess fat in Department B's waste. Department B gets lauded for saving the largest piece of company money, rendering Department B's manager a hero yet again.
Who is doing the better job?
Ecological conservation is the right thing to do, but the playing field is not level, the costs associated are not even, and the benefits are quite difficult to quantify and justify.
Thank you for the companies that are standing up and doing the right thing for the future of our globe.
Douglas Waterman, supplier quality engineer
Huffy Bicycle Co.
Springboro, Ohio
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