Columnists who lean to the left

Columnists who lean to the left

I am a long term subscriber to the Daily Herald and try to remain objective and respectful when considering opinions that differ from mine. I realize that your editorial board has a myriad choices when deciding which syndicated columnists to publish.

I remained silent when you dropped Charles Krauthammer and George Will in favor of writers with a more liberal perspective but I cannot remain silent with your decision to pick up Catherine Rampell. Her column addressing social safety net myths was carefully written to misrepresent the facts.

Her claim that 86 percent of U.S. households pay federal taxes is deceptive in that she cleverly did not use the term "income taxes" as the question implied. Had she used that term the number would have been much lower (anyone who purchases gasoline pays federal taxes).

As for her claim that more than half of all federal housing subsidies go to households with incomes over $100,000 she fails to explain that these subsidies are actually passed on to low income families through reduced rents. As for her claim that "loopholes" (legal deductions) take the largest toll on the federal budget she fails to explain that home mortgage deductions, IRAs, 401Ks, earned income credits and child care credits can also be considered "loopholes" that benefit those of us who are not considered wealthy.

She cites Chris Christie for his involvement in a "Solyndra - style" tax scandal while she was silent about the actual Solyndra debacle.

Over the last few years I have sensed an editorial attitude at the Daily Herald making a slow but sustained transition to the left. This has not gone unnoticed by many. If you are going to continue publishing the likes of Rampell, at the very least, bring back Krauthammer.

Nicholas Braico

West Dundee