Why is it that everything that is proposed by our illustrious Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office is punitive? (“S.F. may force businesses to help pay for mass transit,” July 31) The goal is noble, but the execution dumb.

The economy is in a sorry state, in case anyone has noticed. If The City is so intent on this policy, why not begin with an educational campaign? Perhaps many small businesses are indeed already set up with a payroll system that can handle the pretax benefit (which, by the way, has been around for more than 20 years, and lots of companies use it) and would implement it if it fits with their employee population. But many are not and are not in a position to implement something like this.

Businesses try to distinguish themselves by offering programs and benefits that are most beneficial to their work force. While some would welcome this benefit, a business may decide that another benefit is more useful and can act as a better retention tool. Quit mandating already.

Sherrie Matza

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San Francisco

Taxis are for residents

As usual, a Republican thinks the free market will solve all problems. Howard Epstein, chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party, is wrong when he thinks a free market will send more taxis to serve San Franciscans who live in the Richmond or Sunset (Letters, July 28).

They will just compete more for fares going to and from hotels and airports (i.e., mostly tourists). Reliable taxi service is the missing link in our transportation puzzle. As long as cab companies use independent contractors, the buck can be passed and no one has to commit to a call from the unlucky San Franciscan who needs to be picked up outside of downtown.

A free market will not ensure reliable service; licenses should be revoked unless taxi companies and drivers serve the residents.

W.S. Beck

San Francisco

Measure protects city parks

Neighborhood parks are constantly being eroded for a new fire station, or day care or a museum; all apple pie — how can you oppose these? However, these take away open space and recreation areas for ever. Because parkland is “free,” city councils find it easier to use this land to launch other needed projects. The latest trend is taking parkland for developing “work force housing” (also apple pie!).

Redwood City’s Open Space Vote measure is visionary in that it protects parks as well as critical Bay lands. This is why 20 percent of the registered voters signed the petition in such a short time to put it on the November ballot. The council should listen to its constituents.

Gita Dev

Woodside

Not a party of the people

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to save the world. Sen. Barack Obama wants us to inflate our tires. It is nice to have lofty goals. However, we working folks just want to be able to drive to work. Sen. Harry Reid thinks oil consumption is a disease. Have you people been in Washington too long?

Supposedly the Democrats are the party of the people. It doesn’t seem to be so from where I stand. Do they think that $4 a gallon gas is good for us working people?

Keith C. De Filippis

San Jose

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