Saturday, March 28, 1998

Big, bad banks

In answer to Molly Ivins' March 19 column, there are always two sides to every coin.

I don't think Supreme Court justices are pinheads. I don't think the thousands of banks across the country are ripping people off. Usually banks charge for services rendered. If you use a service, the user has to pay a fee. A non-user shouldn't have to pay for a service he does not use.

In years past, loan customers paid the way for almost all the services of the bank, and everybody else pretty well got a free ride. Nowadays each service needs to pay its own way.

Talking about banks charging all these fees, credit unions were formed to be nonprofit organizations. Fees are fees, income is income, and profit is profit; but not all income is profit. Besides, which would you rather bank with, a profitable bank or a nonprofitable bank? Which one will still be there tomorrow?

Credit unions had a profit of $17.8 billion in the past five years. I would hope they could be profitable; they do not pay income taxes (since they are "nonprofit" organizations, remember).

My biggest complaint is that taxpaying entities (the big, bad banks) have to directly compete with credit unions that pay no income tax. You know, if you don't have to pay taxes, it's pretty easy to be competitive with someone who does.

If it looks like a duck (bank), and if it quacks (acts) like a duck (bank), then it should pay taxes like a duck (bank).

BOB McWHORTER

Munday

Money and politics

Here is a question for our legislators, state and federal. Why is it illegal in the judicial system to influence the outcome of any court case by bribes, threats or any undue influences on judges, juries or others involved in the case, yet this does not apply to the legislators? I fail to see the difference.

We have to live by the laws passed by you and the courts have to uphold them. Why should they be influenced by Big Money corporations and special interest groups that can promise a large number of votes?

One way to start campaign finance reform: Make paid lobbying illegal and prosecute the lobbyists and the ones who pay them. In my opinion their activities are the same as buying favors in a court of law. The working people need a voice.

I think all candidates should get an equal amount of money to state their background and position on issues, no mud-slinging, then let the voters decide. Big Money should not buy offices. This way we might get qualified candidates who can't afford to run the way it is now.

AUDREY GREEN

Novice