Bearding the Lion

I take issue with Rep. Henry A. Waxman’s contention that the state of California “taxed itself into prosperity” (“A Liberal Lion in Winter,” by Harold Meyerson, Dec. 4). California’s post-World War II boom was aided by a large tax base, government industry and higher incomes. As in the ‘80s, tax revenue increased because of lower tax rates.

Gary O. Kent

Torrance

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Waxman has been too busy being a “national congressman.” Maybe losing his subcommittee chairmanship will give him time to return to basics and find out what’s needed in his district.

Stanley Treitel

Los Angeles

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Waxman’s desires in his early years to do good things for people were evidently limited by available funds, so he became a public servant. Then the taxpayers could be counted upon for their open-ended largess. Perhaps now Waxman is aware that the American public might know better than he does about its needs?

John J. Corcoran

Playa del Rey