What we want

Gov. Ed Rendell wants more of our money via an income tax hike during the worst economy in 80 years. Good luck with that ("Rendell: Raise Income Tax," June 17).

Here's how he might get it done. Give us what we want instead of what you want. People generally will pay more to get what they want.

Two specific suggestions. For years, the vast majority of Pennsylvanians have asked for a smaller Legislature with far fewer perks and far more accountability and integrity.

For years, we've asked to be treated like adults and allowed to buy beer, wine and liquor where and when we want, free of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the sort of silliness reflected in the recent Supreme Court decision that Sheetz has to serve beer in its stores in order for us to carry six-packs out.

Doing these two concrete things -- one hugely important, one hugely symbolic -- would go a long way to showing us that the Executive and the Legislature are capable of listening and -- all-important these days -- changing. I won't hold my breath.

JOSEPH P. MCHUGH
Franklin Park