San Clemente, Frank Martin: In “Three of a kind” [Opinion, Aug. 24], Arthur Laffer offered some misleading and unsubstantiated comments. He claims, “Many [economists] have been so corrupted that they don’t know why they don’t know what they should know.” What he seems to say is that we shouldn’t trust economists because they are corrupt and lie. He goes on to dismiss some economic statistics that cast a favorable light on the economic recovery. He does not explain why they are incorrect. His point is, the economic recovery is in poor shape, and anything to the contrary is dishonest.

The problem with this whole thing is that Mr. Laffer is just as guilty as the others of his own criticism. He is an economist. Why is he not corrupted like the rest of them? Or, are they “corrupt” simply because they came to different conclusions? Similarly, his economic statistics are just as subject to bias as the ones he dismisses. He chooses arbitrary base lines for analysis. For instance, he bases GDP trends on 1999, which happens to be the highest point since Nixon was president. It would look a lot different if he used 1982. He has also selected different periods for his chosen statistics.

I am the first to agree that it’s been an anemic recovery. However, economic facts can be used in many ways. Is it corruption or simply a difference of opinion? Sadly, Mr. Laffer adds nothing to the conversation except more slanted and unreliable statistics.

Constitution protects from ‘soft tyranny’

Fullerton, Ed Leonard: It is incomprehensible to me that President Barack Obama is reportedly considering a unilateral move to grant legal status to millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. in violation of our laws [“Will Obama make own immigration law?” Opinion, Aug. 27]. What is further incomprehensible is the nonstop support some give the president for his unilateral and arguably unconstitutional usurpation of power. President Obama’s supporters float stories like this to gauge our responses.

What is further incomprehensible to me is Congress’ lack of outrage at such a threatened usurpation of power. Temporary officeholders, including the president, need to recognize the damage they cause to our Constitution and our people. Isn’t it time for all of us to tell President Obama to follow the Constitution and stop with the threats to act if Congress does not? Isn’t it time for all Americans to call President Obama what he is, a soft tyrant?

Isn’t it time for the cult of personality to step aside and the constitutional limits of presidential power to become our creed once again?

Time to fast track vets’ cemetery

Yorba Linda, Gloria Bogdan: I am happy that the Adventure Playground can go forward [“A mudless Adventure Playground returning to Irvine,” Local, Aug. 27].

Military veterans salute at the beginning of an Irvine City Council meeting in April. The council has offered 125 acres of Great Park land to the state for a veterans cemetery, but the land still needs to be studied and transferred to the state. (LEONARD ORTIZ, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

That will be a good use of land, but will probably only benefit families within a five-mile radius. Whereas, a much needed Veterans’ Cemetery would serve all of Orange County and our servicemen and women, and their families, who proudly served in the military!

We are the only county without a veterans cemetery, and Riverside is nearly at capacity. Why does it take a half a million dollars to “study” the idea of a veterans’ final resting place at “our” old El Toro Marine Corps base [“Great Park veterans cemetery proposal sent to governor,” Local, Aug. 27]? A whopping $2.9 million is budgeted for a playground that will benefit just a few. Politics, as usual, I imagine.

I say put the $500,000 in “study funds” towards preparing an area in tribute to our troops. It’s really a no brainer!

Del Mar horse deaths outrageous

Irvine, Paris Merriam: Fourteen horses have died at Del Mar in only four weeks of racing this summer [“Colt is 14th horse to die at Del Mar,” Sports, Aug. 23]. This is completely unacceptable. I am surprised, and shocked, that the California Horse Racing Board, which has jurisdiction over horse racing in California, hasn’t shut Del Mar down. And you thought keeping Orca whales in captivity at SeaWorld was bad? How many more horses have to die, and jockeys get injured, before something is done about this carnage happening in Del Mar?

Or should we keep allowing people to get drunk, smoke cigars and bet on fragile animals that might not even cross the finish line?

Where is the American Humane Society and the “Blackfish” producers when we need them?


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