I was enjoying a relaxing Christmas and New Year’s season and looking forward to 2026, but Jonathan Kraut’s “New Year’s Wishes” (commentary, Dec. 30) has inspired me to write just one more time in 2025 …
On all sides of the political spectrum, we have the things we want most and we have blind spots to go with them. However, several things Mr. Kraut is wishing for in his Dec. 30 column I cannot let go by without comment.
I agree with Mr. Kraut that recycling should be dramatically increased. However, he has not done his research when he describes combusting plastics into electricity — “not exactly an environmentally friendly practice.” It is an amazingly efficient process with an incredibly clean emission — much cleaner than almost any other energy generation except nuclear.
However, I have to strongly disagree with Mr. Kraut’s solution. He wants to punish plastics manufacturers for not making “more recyclable” plastics. What about the billions of plastic bottles that are not recycled today? Does he really think that we throw away out bottles today because they are not “recyclable enough”? Mr. Kraut blindly follows the Democratic playbook — it is much easier to attack the “big bad corporation” than to demand individual responsibility.
I agree with Mr. Kraut that landlord-tenant disputes are rarely resolved by the courts in a fair, prompt and equitable manner. Slumlords and squatters both can use the law to their advantage. However, “automatic 15-day evictions” will promptly reverse the abuses.
Mr. Kraut runs a “service oriented” firm, but as a company owner, he should understand and appreciate the contribution to the economy that accelerated depreciation brings. This motivates business owners to make investments they might otherwise postpone. These investments are Company A making equipment purchases from Company B in order to improve their operation. Company B in turn profits from that sale and continues to employ people who can in turn buy groceries, pay rent and buy merchandise from Companies C, D and E.
While our government is often greedy and short-sighted, they have seen and understood that waiving taxes on purchases made today makes companies succeed so they can employ more people and pay more taxes in the future. This is one of the few instances where the government understands that companies doing more business with each other benefits the economy and the citizens much more than the government getting “their cut.”
As far as the “trust fund” issues goes, I won’t waste more ink trying to explain that. I suggest he study the historical events in Congress that have pinballed into a maze of legislation that provides many opportunities for corruption. Remember that this evil starts in the heart of every person — it is only different in the ways we choose to take advantage of it.
Lastly, I agree with Mr. Kraut that the homeless have become a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits from keeping people dependent and fails if people are off the streets. We will probably disagree with tactics and programs. But I am just as anxious to eliminate the status quo.
The best to Mr. Kraut’s wishes. I hope that 2026 results in more than his wishful thinking.
Happy New Year!
Jim Scott
Saugus
