BEN CARSON News & Opinion innovation and growth, reducing the appeal of foreign explorations. A fair tax structure and a reduction in unnecessary regulations would go a long way toward establishing this environment. Recently, President Obama indicated displeasure with the large and very successful medical-device company Medtronic, which has made public plans to acquire the Dublinbased company Covidien. This would result in one of the largest taxinversion deals in history. Medtronic would move its headquarters from Minnesota to Ireland, relinquishing some of its American identity but reaping massive tax benefits because they would be taxed at the Irish corporate rate rather than the American corporate rate. In a recent West Coast speech, Obama said companies doing such things are “technically renouncing their U.S. citizenship.” He added, referring to such companies, “You don’t get to pick which tax rate you pay.” The fact is, they do get to pick their rate, because they are mobile and not yet under the complete control of a tyrannical government. The days of an insular business environment are long gone from America, and we must recognize that we are players on the global stage. This means successful businesses will take advantage of conditions anywhere in the world that will promote their growth and value to shareholders. Instead of patriotism being defined as unthinking devotion to governmental tax edicts, perhaps it is better described as using one’s talents and resources to bring strength and prosperity to our land through the successful utilization of advantages found worldwide. Our tax and regulatory policies should be aimed at helping companies achieve this latter definition. Many American companies have social-responsibility committees that are very popular with socially conscious directors. They commit time, effort and money to enhancing the quality of life in their local communities, as well as nationally and globally. By not punishing these companies with corporate-tax rates that no other country in the world sees as reasonable, we not only contribute to their financial wellbeing, but we also greatly enhance their ability to have a positive effect on social problems here in the United States. There is absolutely no need for animosity between the government and business. When businesses are successful, the reservoirs from which taxes are paid are much larger, resulting in more money for the government even though tax rates TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014 • 4 COPYRIGHT 2014 RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING CO., INC. Since 1908 Published Every Thursday By RIDGEWOOD TIMES PRINTING & PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. General Publication Office: P.O. 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Classified Manager TIMES NEWSWEEKLY Is Listed With The Standard Rate & Data And Is A Member Of The New York Press Association Reaching The Queens Homes Of Ridgewood, Glendale, Liberty Park, Maspeth, Middle Village, So. Elmhurst, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria, Long Island City, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Elmhurst, And Kew Gardens. Reaching The Brooklyn Homes Of Ridgewood, Bushwick, Cypress Hills, East Williamsburg And Williamsburg. COMPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY: Accuracy in receiving ads over the telephone cannot be guaranteed. This newspaper is responsible for only one incorrect insertion and only for that portion of the ad in which the error appears. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to make sure copy does not contravene the Consumer Protection Law or any other requirement. The Patriotism Of Prosperity A few weeks ago, it was quite revealing—but not surprising—to hear Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew imply that corporate America should willingly pay the highest corporatetax rates in the world as part of its “patriotic” duty. This kind of discourse demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of capitalism, which is an important component of American exceptionalism. In our system, people do not go into business, in many cases risking everything they have and more, in order to support the government. They obviously take those kinds of risks to make money. Instead of chastising American businesses for making financially prudent overseas investments, a wise and understanding government would be creating a domestic environment that is conducive to investment, -SEE CARSON ON PG. 26- EDITORIAL After years of pleas, planning and increased ridership, two major subway improvements are nearing completion. The MTA announced it would open a segment of the Second Avenue Subway next year, rerouting the Q line along the route between 59th Street and 125th Street. A new subway line, the T, will eventually run the Second Avenue Subway’s full length, once it is completed. Additionally, the MTA will soon unveil an extended 7 train running to Manhattan’s far West Side, serving the Jacob Javits Convention Center and the Hudson Yards, where a new mixed use development is being erected. Where does the MTA go from here? How about Queens? Why not Queens? Many residents in southern Queens and the Rockaways want the MTA to restore train service to the long-defunct Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Beach branch between Rego Park and Ozone Park. They point to crammed buses and regular congestion along Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards as proof that the borough needs a more reliable public transportation alternative. But residents living near the Rockaway Beach line oppose the idea out of concerns regarding noise and quality of life problems. Others want the naturally reforested train line transformed into the QueensWay, a combined nature trail and bike path similar to the High Line. And some, concerned about potential problems related to both new train service and the QueensWay, would rather let a sleeping rail line lie, albeit with improved maintenance. Seeing the three sides of this complicated coin, one local lawmaker suggested a way to please everybody, carving the former Rockaway Beach line into three segments. Rail service would be restored south of Atlantic Avenue, an abbreviated QueensWay would be built north of Myrtle Avenue and the portion between Atlantic and Myrtle avenues would be left fallow. That’s all well and good, but we find it hard to believe this scenario will placate anyone. Running train service only to Atlantic Avenue would connect riders to the LIRR’s Atlantic Terminal branch, which terminates in Brooklyn. South Queens and Rockaway riders want a fast, one-seat ride across the East River, and this option would force them to make two transfers. Aesthetically pleasing as the QueensWay concept is, one could argue the resources for such a project would be better spent enhancing the infrastructure and security at Forest Park, through which the abandoned rail line runs. As for the fallow segment, there’s no guarantee the city would make a commitment to maintain an unused lot or address vandalism, trespassing and other problems that currently exist. Government is at its least efficient when it concocts ideas or policies that strive to make everyone happy. It’s an almost impossible task. Every problem has a solution, but in most cases, the solution is going to be inconvenient or damaging to somebody. It’s government’s duty to find solutions to address a problem while minimizing any negative impacts that may occur. Right now, Queens is choking on its own traffic. There is a clear demand for greater public transportation between southern Queens and Manhattan, and there is a major lack of supply. This situation cries out for a major transit project, and creating a Select Bus Service line on a crowded boulevard isn’t going to cut it. Manhattan’s getting more rail lines, and now it’s time for Queens to get its share. With condolences to the opponents, this borough needs train service back on the full length of the Rockaway Beach branch. Special CB 9 Meet On Ozone Pk. Plaza To Address Quality-Of-Life Woes In response to concerns from businesses and residents regarding the new pedestrian plaza on the Brooklyn/Queens border, Community Board 9 will convene a meeting of interested parties to discuss an appropriate path forward. Letters To The Editor FDNY Unites With Cops For Night Out Dear Editor: Members of Engine Co. 305 and Ladder Co. 151 met with Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro and the 112th Precinct command at the 112th Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime last Tuesday, Aug. 5, at MacDonald Park. It was a spectacular event and I can honestly say that, as a member of Community Board 6 and the 112 Precinct Community Council, that it has always been a bit of unfortunate timing in getting the group to together, but it was finally well worth it. Bringing the community together and showing support for each other is one of the key fundamental component in a strong environment. Firefighter Jack Medina Engine Co. 305 Dump Whoever Made Trash Bins Disappear Dear Editor: The absence of street trash baskets elsewhere in Queens—not only along Fresh Pond Road—is indeed a scandal warranting the dismissal for whoever's in charge. None can be found along Wyckoff Avenue near the Halsey Street stop on the L train—not even on the corners next to subway entrances. That means that people entering the subway discard their food, wrappers, cigarette butts, and other garbage directly onto the sidewalk, not only leaving sidewalks needlessly clulttered but, as property owners can be fined, creating the -SEE LETTERS ON PG. 24- Times Newsweekly Established In 1908 As Ridgewood Times As announced, the session will be held next Thursday, Aug. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 213 of Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens. Board 9 voted in support of the plaza—located at Drew Street, 101st Avenue and Liberty Avenue—at its October 2013 meeting. Since then, some local businesses and residents have complained about the plaza, and these concerns have been the subject of media coverage. The meeting will bring together stakeholders to discuss possible solutions to any problems that have arisen. Board 9 Chairperson Ralph Gonzalez will lead the session. The Department of Transportation’s Queens Borough Commissioner, Dalila Hall, has been invited to serve as a mediator. Representatives of the Bangladesh American Community Development and Youth Services Corporation (BACDYS), which advocated the creation of the plaza, will participate in the meeting. Merchants from the area who have -SEE CB 9 MEETS ON PG. 24-
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