Mission accomplished?

Akron Beacon Journal, May 5

Thursday marked five years since President Bush landed on the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, declaring, under the banner "Mission Accomplished": "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." On that day, the toll of American dead in Iraq stood at 140. Today, the count exceeds 4,000. That moment, the president so full of himself, has become representative of a White House arrogant, unknowing and ill-prepared.

More, the scene has become emblematic of an attitude of loose optimism. Capture Saddam Hussein, and the tide would turn. Or hold elections. Or craft a constitution. Or launch the "surge," which for all the "breathing space" achieved has yet to yield the necessary political reconciliation among Iraqis.

The strategy still amounts to waiting for Iraqis to do their part. What the Bush team failed to understand is how difficult that would prove in such a fractured country. Count the days, 1,874 since the president's carrier declaration, and you revisit the concern: What has the Iraq mission accomplished overall, with Iran emboldened, American influence diminished -- and most telling, al-Qaida and the Taliban regrouping in what has become a haven in western Pakistan, along the border with Afghanistan? ...

Payday lending

The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 5

Responding to concerns that payday lending practices trap many Ohio consumers in a "cycle of debt," the state House last week passed a strict reform measure that would cap the fees these lenders can charge -- so drastically, industry executives say, that they will be forced to close their 1,600 Ohio stores and put 6,000 employees out of work.

Perhaps. If so, nobody wants to see people lose their jobs. But the larger issue is how we deal with a growing crisis -- our piling up debt and failing to save money.

Payday lending enables bad practices. The Senate should pass a strong reform, but it should also make sure the market can offer options for well-regulated, low-cost, short-term loans. ...

No gas tax holiday

The (Canton) Repository, May 5

Sen. Barack Obama has called the proposed suspension of the federal gasoline tax by its proper name: a gimmick. Despite months of high gas prices, only now are Obama's fellow senators and fellow presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, suggesting a gas tax "summer holiday."

But no legislation has been introduced, and there's little support for the idea in Congress, so the idea isn't likely to become reality. And the other drawbacks are legion: The break will add up to only a few dollars in savings for consumers. There's no guarantee that refiners won't make up the 18-cent difference by raising their own prices, which drivers would then see at the pump anyway. The suspension would take money away from critically needed highway work. And it doesn't address the real problems with high gas and oil prices.

This is pandering, pure and simple. We're happy to see one candidate steer clear of it.

Tax on fast food

The (Lorain) Morning Journal, May 5

Eschew your fast food tax, please. An ill-conceived proposal to charge a sin tax on "unhealthy" burgers, fries and drive-through delicacies was proposed by a hospital official in New Jersey recently, and Gov. John Corzine actually called it a "constructive suggestion." A Corzine aide later pointed out that he has no plans for any fast food tax, so "constructive suggestion" must translate as "are you out of your mind?" in New Jersey political-speak. ...

In New Jersey, the fast food tax was pitched as a way to raise money to keep state government subsidies flowing to support hospital operations. The idea arose after Corzine ordered big budget cuts that some fear will be a death warrant for struggling hospitals.

Such a health paradox: Support your local hospital by chowing down on heavily taxed super-sized fries, so those emergency room doors will still be open when your French fried coronary arteries finally clog shut. ...