I am in favor of Rep. Jon Draud's, R-Edgewood, tobacco tax increase ["Raise Kentucky's tobacco tax soon," Dec. 26]. I hope he gets it passed.

Al Laker, Southgate, KY

---

Prudent spending in public's interest

All liberals and anti-liberals alike should frame the editorial "Raise Kentucky's tobacco tax soon" (Dec. 26). We have a budget deficit due to mismanagement (over spending). So, let's raise taxes and affect the evil tobacco growers. The industry has been an easy target (aka: cash cow), and let's use that money to make up for the overspending.

A precedent has been set in other states that won billion-dollar judgments against the tobacco industry, leading, in part to the huge taxes already in place on cigarettes.

Cigarettes provide an ample tax source while, as far as the government is concerned, it also helps keep more people off Social Security even in the short term, in the government's eyes, if it raises health care costsTax increases aren't in the public's interests; more prudent spending is.

Mike Wainscott, Loveland

---

Businesses should have closed on Dec. 25

This is in response to the article ("While others open presents, some are punching the clock," Dec. 25). While some services should be available for citizens, including police, fire and medical assistance, other organizations should close for the holiday.

Christmas should be a time for people to come together with relatives, family, and friends - a luxury in today's hectic society. Yet employees at these establishments cannot experience the real meaning of Christmas, because they are obligated to spend time at work.

Chip Cutter, Kenwood

---

New Year's resolution: Stop eating beef

Current USDA effort to protect the $175 billion U.S. beef industry from the Mad Cow crisis deceives American consumers.

Mad Cow disease had not been detected earlier because, until recently, USDA had been testing only 5,000 of the 35 million cows slaughtered annually (1 in 7,000). Europe and Japan test thousands every day.

The 1997 ban on feeding the remains of slaughtered cows to other cows, a common transmission path, is not preventing spread of the disease. A government survey found 25 percent of feed plants out of compliance.

Americans do consume meat products containing spinal column and brain tissue, traditional carriers of the disease. During slaughter, muscle tissues are routinely sprayed with bits of these tissues. Folks in the meat industry should seek a more secure career. The rest of us should make a New Year's resolution to replace meat in our diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Harold Ward, Westwood

---

No sewage plant for Miamiville residents

We are among the group of families who make up the community of Miamiville, founded in 1849 as a part of 1,100-acre land grant from President Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Robinson for military service rendered.

We were recently informed by the Clermont County commissioners that our community was the chosen site for a sewage treatment and processing plant which would service a large portion of the Clermont County population with it's effluent draining in the river and odors permeating our homes.

Our treasures include the Little Miami Scenic River and bike path among many other historic sites. We want to be known for our affluence not our effluent.

Pat and Carl Riedmatter, Maimiville

---

Columnist Lokeman whined too much

We have many important issues in America today. As a society, we need to become more informed and educated to make decisions on these matters. Too often cable news has four talking heads on the screen at once, which simply scream at each other. I change the channel and read newspapers to obtain my information. After reading Rhonda Chriss Lokeman's column, "Here's a peek under some high-profile trees" (Dec. 25), I reached for my remote. It was nothing more than a whining, petulant diatribe. If I wanted to read an emotional fit, I can go to the Internet.

Richard Chappell, West Chester