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Theres a flip side to N.J.s federal tax story

Your front-page article New Jersey last in rate of return on federal taxes raised a lot of questions. When was the last year New Jersey got more in return than what it sent to Washington in federal taxes? Since we have not had a Republican senator representing us since 1972, you would think that might be something important to include in your article.

The article quotes New Jersey lawmakers as knowing what the problem is, citing the presidents tax law and its $10,000 cap on state and local taxes that can be deducted.

Is the average New Jerseyan paying less in federal taxes under the new tax law in spite of the $10,000 cap? If so, then perhaps the three years Trump has been president is not the problem. However, to raise these issues in your article might make some readers wonder just what have these Democratic congressmen and senators been doing for New Jersey all these years.

Armand Rose, North Arlington

Some crimes are worse than others

Paul Mulshine misses some important points in his column, Bridgegate case may take a toll on feds power.

First, although Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly may not have technically committed a federal crime (yet to be decided by the Supreme Court), they certainly abused their power by inconveniencing thousands of people who were just trying to get to work. And they should be punished for doing so.

Second, although I dont agree that significant financial contributions to a college should provide a persons child admission to that college, it is certainly better than bribing a college employee for the same purpose. Mulshine contends that both cases resulted in an unqualified kid taking the seat of a better student. This is true. But the significant contribution to the college allows the school to subsidize the tuition for many better students who otherwise could not afford to attend that school. A bribe to a college staff member, however, benefits only the staff member and the unqualified student.

The latter case should not be tolerated.

Richard Andersen, Somerset

Murphys been a wreck for a while

Why did it take columnist Tom Moran so long (Murphy stands in way of clearing up campaign controversy,) to realize Gov. Phil Murphy is damaged goods?

Gaither Shaw, Mountainside

Murphys successes are too costly for me

In his State of the State address, Gov. Phil Murphy trumpeted his successes over his first two years. Among his favorites are his new family leave and temporary disability programs. He calls it a win for the middle class. Now comes word in The Star-Ledger (Expansion of family leave, disability hits paychecks,) how much that win will cost us: Middle-class workers will pay up to an extra $480 per year for this benefit. Employers will bear none of the extra cost. Please, governor. No more wins for me. I cant afford it.

Michael Pickert, Livingston

Column wrong on anti-Zionism

David Letwins guest opinion column is riddled with falsehoods. It was not the Trump State Department that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. In fact, it was the Obama State Department that did so, a fact that will doubtless cast the decision in a different light for some readers.

It is wrong to write that responsibility for resurgent anti-Semitism lies with a white nationalist alt-right just weeks after horrific attacks against Jews in Monsey, New York, and Jersey City. Neither attacks was carried out by white supremacists.

It is disingenuous to portray Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the boycott-divestment-sanctions movement, as a paragon of democracy and acceptance. Heres another Barghouti quote: Definitely, most definitely we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a sell-out Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.

Indeed, the entire column rests on the incorrect assertion that anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism. Anti-Zionists say that, alone among the nations of the world, Jews should not have a state, even while calling for the creation of a Palestinian state.

What should we call national discrimination against Jews if not anti-Semitism?

Seffi Kogen, Fair Lawn; Global director of young leadership, American Jewish Committee

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Were getting less cash from Washington? So just what has our Congressional delegation been doing for us? | L - NJ.com