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Editorial "PLAINDEALER*\ Opinion The Computer Age Computers are, of course, today's business and home "in" machines. Every business, it seems, wants a computer. And home computers are the rage. Families which need clothes more sometimes put hundreds of dollars into a home computer. Now comes a computer expert who admits that too many people have gone bonkers over computer myths and capabilities. Arthur Fink, who did graduate work in computer science at Harvard, says businesses can often profit from the installation of computers, but not always.' Sometimes, he asserts, people using computers get carried away. Computers become an end in themselves, ratherthan a useful tool to help do the job at hand. He was quoted recently as saying the need for a computer to balance one's books, or checkbook, is a myth. The only practical use of a computer in the home today, he says, is for word processing. Many don't need that. He discourages the use of such terms as "the computer said," noting that computers will say whateverthey have been programmed (by another human) to say in a given situation. He prefers terms such as, "based on the assumptions fed into the computer it indicates...." Home video games? He's not impressed with them as learning devices. Most of them are mindless, he says, and addictive. Governing Problems The American republic has prospered for over two centuries since revolutionaries defeated the armies of the English king. The constitutional form of government then established by the founding fathers has proved a remarkable success, the Constitution itself one of history's great, humanitarian watershed documents. But is the system still working well enough in today's complex world to be left unchanged? Some political science experts feel reform, modernization, or refinement is now in order. They have, for the most part, come to the conclusion reluctantly with no eagerness to tamper with the successful heritage of the past. The American governing system in today's changed political climate, however, seems stalemated, to them. The presidency and congressional leadership is too often in different parties. The president is increasingly hamstrung in efforts to carry out foreign policy by an opposing congressional majority. Foreign countries see this, take advantage erf it. National parties have become less instrumental in choosing national nominees and in influencing administration policy. Primaries and primary campaigns over periods of two years now determine the candidates. The voter turnout nationally has decreased for five consecutive presidential elections. The people seem to sense that there's a stalemate inWashington,that the division of power between executive and legislative branches makes for disorder. Television further complicates the problem. How can any president lead successfully if he is second-guessed on every pronouncement within minutes, if the media focuses mainly on the sensational, protests and demonstrations? How can the nation ever again fight a war, even a justified defensive war, if television questions the administration's motives and pictures our forces' mistakes in every living room? Do we need a system more responsive to the majority will? With a leader who must have a majority in Congress? Is a single-six-year term preferable for presidents? PLAINDEALER^ Letter to the Editor Public Pulse (The Plaindeeler invito the publk to IIM tfiii column an •«pr«tlon of their vimwt on oi general in­ terest in our community. Our only request it »he» the writers give signature. full address and phono number. Wo ask too. that ono individual not write on »ho HIM suh|ect moro then onco a month. Wo reserve tho right to delete any motorioi which wo consider llfaolom or i«,ofejocti*n«b|o lotto.). •ri'-iffj !•" '•! r r MO. i«LnoVV JUSTICE? "Editor, "On April 6, 1983, I had my day in court. I was ice fishing on Saturday morning, Jan. 29, 1963, at a small village near McHenry. I parked my car in the parking area near the beach, which was the same place I had parked the previous weekend during the Fishing Derby. There was one other car parked there at 7 a.m. When I returned at 10:15 a.m., I had received a 'notice to appear' citation for parking without a guest pass. "There were no signs posted stating a guest pass was to be needed. The signs that were posted read 'No Parking 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.' I didn't think it was fair, so I took several pictures of the area and signs that same day and showed them to the judge on my court date. "The chief who had ticketed me was there with his fellow officers, making uncalled for remarks amongst themselves about some of the people being fined don't look like they could afford a pair of shoes, let alone a ticket. Maybe if they had a warning instead of a ticket they could afford the shoes. When asked if there was a sign there about a guest pass, the chief said there was. The pictures from all angles showed no such signs. When the chief was asked if there was a sign there on the court date that could be seen, the chief replied no, it was down being refurbished. "Strangely enough, on April 8, after this little challenge in court, two new Roll Call Report (Your Congressmen's Vote) Tax Facts From the IRS Washington * Here's how area members of congress were recorded on major roll call votes in the days before the Easter recess. HOUSE Reform--By a vote of 243 for and 102 against, the House gave final congressional approval and sent to the White House the bill (HR 1900) designed to keep Social Security in the black for the next 75 years. The bill's major structural change is to gradually raise the retirement age beginning next century, to 66 by 2009 and 67 by 2027. To raise $165 billion to avert insolvency this decade, the bill in part makes Social Security mandatory for federal workers hired after next Jan. 1, speeds up tax hikes so that employees and employers will move more quickly toward contributing 7.65 percent of wages by 1990 (each now contributes 6.7 percent), and delays certain cost-of-living benefit hikes. i par recipients, raises contribution levels for the self-employed, brings employees of Also, the bill levies income taxes on part of the benefits of higher-income signs appeared saying 'Resident Parking Only'. "I thought a warning ticket would have been sufficient, but with a budget and a job to keep, I guess all the money from fines you can get are necessary. "There was also another village official in the background of the courtroom snickering as the cases were heard. "It seems a shame to have to think that one should maybe ask for a jury trial for such a little matter. "Being a poor taxpayer, I could have used the $45 for some shoes, instead of a fine. I wonder how many other poor taxpayers have been fined by the same biased court for the same or similar offense. "Kenneth Gay lord "McHenry" non-profit organizations into Social Security, and sets conditions under which the wage index rather than the consumer price index can determine benefit hikes. The bill also seeks to control Medicare costs, and makes Social Security mandatory for members of Congress, federal judges, the president and vice- president. And it prevents state and local governments from pulling out of Social Security. Supporter Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., called it "as remarkable as it is monumental" that the bill could work its way through Congress in two months, adding that "beyond these doors we may never receive the recognition we have earned." Opponent Michael Barnes, D-Md., said "we have asked federal employees and retirees to buy a surprise package with their limited incomes in the midst of the worst economic times in 50 years." Members voting yes favored the Social Security rescue legislation. Not voting: Philip Crane, R-12. Committees--By a vote of 262 for and 141 against, the House voted to spend $43.2 million this year for investigations ana studies by its committees and subcommittees. The figure is up nearly nine percent from 1982. It excludes separately-appropriated salary outlays of more than $31 million. The measure (H Res 127) did not require Senate approval and now is law. Supporter Frank Annunzio, D-Ill., said the House committees "promise to produce good value for every dollar budgeted in this resolution." Opponent Lynn Martin, R-Ill., denounced the much higher average salary paid white men and said this shows "these committee budgets are both sexist and racist...there is an institutional racism and sexism" in the committee system. Members voting yes supported the$43.2 million committee outlay. Voting no: Philip Crane. SENATE Social Security--By a vote of 58 for and 14 against, the Senate approved and sent to the House the final version of the Social Security rescue bill (HR 1900; see House vote above). Senators voting yes supported the bill. Sen. Alan Dixon, D, voted yes. Sen. Charles Percy, R, did not vote. Marriage Penalty--The Senate rejected, 34 for and 62 against, an amendment to minimize the 'marriage penalty" imposed by the Social Security rescue bill. The bill levies an income tax on some Social Security benefits received by higher-income retirees. For single taxpayers earning more than $25,000, one- half of benefits are to be taxed. For married taxpayers filing a joint return, the taxation threshold is $32,000. Two single persons living together thus could have a combined income of $50,000 before paying income tax on benefits, compared to the $32,000 threshold for a married couple. The amendment sought to lower the thresholds to $20,000 for singles and $36,000 for spouses. Sponsor David Boren, D-Okla., said "we should not have another area of the law where we again write in a marriage penalty." Opponent Robert Dole, R-Kas., acknowledged Boren had raised "a very serious philosophical question," but he said the marriage penalty was addressed elsewhere in the tax code and that Boren's amendment could upset die delicate compromise underpinning the rescue bill. Senators voting yes wanted to minimize the Social Security bill's marriage penalty. Dixon voted no. Percy voted no. Trust Funds--By a vote of 56 for and 41 against, the Senate tabled (killed) an amendment to remove the Social Security trust funds from the annual congressional budget process. Sponsors said the deficits or surpluses of the funds should not be counted when Congress each year begins framing a budget by setting targets for revenues, outlays and the annual deficit. The amendment spoke to bookkeeping methods and had no direct impact on the dollar levels of the trust funds. However, sponsors warned that, when Social Security again has a surplus, it could become a target of revenue-seekers if its balance sheet is not insulated from the yearly budget process. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who favored killing the amendment, said: 'Social Security trust funds involve so much money - over one-quarter of all federal outlays -- that to omit them from the budget (computations) would misrepresent the government's activities and their economic impact." Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., who sponsored the amendment, said "the more apparent the separate financial condition of (Social Security) is, the more exacting Congress will be in assuring that it is financed adequately." Senators voting no wanted the Social Security balance sheet to be tallied in the congressional budget master plan. Dixon voted yes. Percy did not vote. INTEREST WITHHOLDING Payers of interest and dividends must begin withholding 10 percent of most payments July 1, under provisions of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. In order to inform taxpayers of the new procedures to be followed, the In­ ternal Revenue Service has developed this list of frequently asked questions. Q: I've heard about a new tax that's going into effect this year on interest and dividends. Can you tell me about it? A: Contrary to what you may have heard, this is not a "new tax". You're probably referring to tax withholding on interest and dividends, an effort to ensure that everyone who owes taxes pays them. Interest and dividend withholding is treated the same as income tax withheld from wages. The interest and dividend payment is included as income when you file your return and the withheld amount is a credit against the tax on such amounts. Q: Won't this measure discourage people from saving, especially since it will greatly reduce the amount of your savings that remains in the account to draw interest? A: The impact of withholding on interest accruals will not be significant. For example, according to the Treasury Department, the yield on an asset earning nine percent per year will be reduced by five one- hundredths of one percent - 8.95 percent. Q: I am retired, and I have such low income that I don't even have to file a tax return. Is there any way I can prevent this withholding on my savings account? A: Yes, there is. As a matter of fact, there are several types of exemption and you meet at least one of them. In the first place, most payers may choose to not withhold on accounts that pay $150 or less per year. Fur­ thermore, there are several other qualifications that can exempt an account from withholding, if the taxpayer files a certificate of exemption with the payer. These qualifications are: (a) the taxpayer last year had a tax liability of $600 or less, or $1,000 or less if married filing a joint return; (b) the taxpayer is 65 or older and last year's tax liability was $1,500 or less, or $2,500 or less if the taxpayer or spouse PAGE 17 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, APRIL 15,1983 , is 65 or older and filed a joint return; and (c) the taxpayer, or the taxpayer and spouse, were not required to file an income tax return last year. Q: Where can I get a certificate of exemption? A: You may obtain a certificate of exemption from the payer of the in­ terest or dividends. If the payer does not have the form, you may get Form W-6, "Individual Certificate of Exemption," from the Internal Revenue Service. Q: If you file an exemption cer­ tificate, how long will it remain in effect? A: Once filed, the exemption will remain in effect until you revoke it. Q: Does filing the certificate automatically exempt all of a person's interest and dividend accounts? A: No, it does not If you recieve interest or dividends from more than one payer, you must file a certificate of exemption with each payer. If you have more than one account with the same payer, check with the payer to see if you need to file a separate certificate for each account. Extend Hours For Tax Help The Illinois Department of Revenue will offer extended hours this week to assist last-minute filers with their state income tax returns. Toll-free telephone lines will be in operation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 through deadline day, Friday, April 15. The toll-free number is 1-800-252- 8972. Assistance in this area is available at Department of Revenue regional offices in Rockford and Wauconda. Taxpayers should check their local telephone directories for the Revenue office nearest them. Last year, nearly 4.7 million state income tax returns were filed -nearly two million during the final week before the filing deadline. General Funds Low The available balance in the state's General Funds at the end of March was $72 million, the result of spending deferrals during the month for refunds, public aid grants and higher education operations, Comptroller Roland W. Burris has reported. Burris noted the $72 million month- end balance was the second lowest end of March balance in 20 years, and the twentieth consecutive month the balance remained below the $200 million fiscal "warning zone" level. TIPS April, 1983 TRIVIA THE ACTIVE CONSUMER Q. - The little cans of motor oil additives one sees: What's in them? What do the> do? Do I really need them? A. - Motor oil adcL.>es sold to be added independently to the ci ankcase are generally a throw-back to days when motor oil contained no additives and supplements were offered to the motoring public. Most well-known brands are fully fortified to perform the functions required of them within the service classification designated on the container, and additional ad­ ditives should not be needed. from HISTORY'S SCRAPBOOK DATES ANO EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS April 14, 1865--President Abraham Lincoln assassinated at Ford's Theater, Washington, D.C., by John Wilkes Booth. April 15,1912--More than 1,500 passengers and crew die when the British Mail Line vessel Titanic sinks after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage. April 16,1819--Master film comedian Charles Chaplin born in London. For Your Information Dear friends. There are so many things that need to be done at time of bereavement-relatives and friends to be notified; statistics for the obituary and death certificate; funeral and barial decisions and arrangements; selection of pallbearers and music. Your funeral director can help you to delegate some responsibilities to competent friends and relatives, who are usually most willing to help. Respectfully, You are the hope of beauty and the birth Of life and death-come, welcome home again' •Anne Lawler. The second quarter of the year begins with April, which, appropriately, contains both April Fool's Day and tax-paying day (the 15th). Millions will make final income tax payments for the year 1982. April 1 is also Good Friday and Easter follows on April 3. On the 6th, in 1917, Congress declared war on Germany, which doomed the Kaiser and the German monarchy and eventually, indirectly, produced Hitler Germany. On the same day in 1830. the Mormon Church was founded. The Greeks in America celebrate the 6th as the anniversary of the Greek war for independence. 1 On the 9th, in 1865, General Robert E. Lee finally surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia, perhaps the most ably-led in the nation's history at Appomattox, Virginia, to a generous U.S. Grant. The 10th is the birthday anniversary of the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth. The famed Halifax (N.C.) resolutions, calling for independence, date from the 12th in 1776, and largely influenced the Continental Congress later that year to follow the Halifax example. One of the greatest Americans, and for eight years (1800-1808) President Thomas Jefferson, was born at Shadwell, Virginia, on the 13th in 1743. The Huguenot Society observes the 13th, the day of the signing of the Edict of Nantes, halting persecution of Protestants in France, in 1598. Henry IV signed this act of religious freedom; Louis XIV revoked it in 1685. /it's oh sale [*T2Q%OPFL % Iudlans Three major Southwest Indian cultures--the Hoho- kam, Mogollon, and Anasazi --flourished almost simul­ taneously from the time of Christ until the late 13th cen- by »f.C. Johnson, CPA Taxpayers acquiring cer­ tain business property in 1982 may make an election to deduct all or a portion of Uxcofit ofsuchprqperty in­ stead of setting the property up for depreciation. This de­ duction may be taken in the year of acquisition. General­ ly any property used in a trade or business other than real estate is eligible for this de­ duction. The portion of the cost which is deducted in the year of acquisition reduces the a- mount eligible for deprecia­ tion and investment tax credit. The maximum amounts which can be deducted under this provision are detailed as foBows: for 1982 -- S5.000.00, for 1983 -- $7,500.00 and for 1984 A thereafter $10,000.00. tury. Pottery became their most prolific artistic legacy, with creations of such dis­ tinctive form and design as to identify the time and place they were made, National Geographic says. ARE YOU NEW IN The McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? We Would Like To Extend A Royal Welcome To Every Newcomer To Our Area 11! CALL LORRAINE MONAHAN 085-5475 °BUG No *TION «• v ci. PETER M JUSTENI <e Cfikj FUNERAL HOMt Mtti MM* If'M"" - ROYAL WELCOME Know Your Arco-Royal Welcome Does It Best McHENRY ILLINOIS 385 0063 JACK WALSH, AGENT EARL R. WALSH, BROKER INSURANCE & BONDS Firs, Auto, Farm. Ill* Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES MIS W. Elm SI.. McHenry DENNIS CONWAY AUTO. LIFE. FIRE State Farm lis. Co. 3319 W. Elm Streot r.m. 1-7111 JAMES M. MclNTEE, LAWYER AVAILABLE TO PRACTICE IN: PmMll Injury/Trials Ouslnass Corporations Willi/Probata Dlvarca-Roal Estate Workman's Compensation 3434 W. Elm Straat. McHenry. M. For appointment phono: 305-2440 Si Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Inc. 41*3 W. Crystal lake Rd. McHenry Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 McHENRY MUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES, SERVICE ft RENTALS Man.-Sat. 9-5:30 Friday til 9:00 93 Grant St.. Crystal Laka Phone: 459122* DR. LEONARD BOTTARI 1303 Richmond Rd.-McHenry Eyes Examined-Canted Lamas Olassas Fitted Mon.,Tues.. Thurs., Fri. 4-ipm Tues., Thurs., Frl. 7-9 pm Sat. 9:30-3 pm Phone: 3*5 4151 or 305-2242 McHENRY DENTAL CENTER DR. C J. LUDfORD DR. KEVIN WEGRZYN OPEN 3 EVENINGS A WEEK UNTIL 8:30 P.M. t SAT. 385-1360 NEW PATIENTS WELCOME WE CATER TO COWARDS • ( B E L L I RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc. 2318Rte. 120 815.385-0700 SERVICE LINE McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE « MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 4302-G Weot Crystal Lake Rd.. McHenry. II. 60050 •15-3*5-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS.LINE McHenry County 24 hour* a day, 7 days a w*fk :iV .'PWrafats Anoftflnous meetings on Tuesday. Coll • 15-344-3944 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not known where to call? And than been given the runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-A WAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: 800-972-6004 (For confidential conversations on problems dealing with run-away children.) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies, buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission.) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying o used car.) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 24-Hours Child Abuse Hotline TOLL FREE: 800-252-2878 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines. Answers inquires about ' or reporting on the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys.) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING ANO COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800-523-2929 P.O. Box 1607. Rockville. Md. 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system.) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3580 Chicago. III. BIRTHRIGHT Pregnant? Need Help? Counseling Service. 385-2999. 24 hours Answering Service. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W. Elm St.. McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Coun­ seling for youth and families. ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone: 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on gover- ment regulations. MENTAL HEALTH 1-800-892-8900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co. 24-Hour Emergency number and professional staff wil answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System. NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION Post OHice Box 17400 Washington. D C.. 20041 Phone (703)471-0404 McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 666 Russel Ct. Woodstock. II. 60098 (815)338-7100 JOB TRAINING OFFERED McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCATION FOR THE RETARDED Robert G. lambourn, Executive Director Phone: 344-1230 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (815)455-3311 McHENRY COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL 800-892-3272 Monday through Friday. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES. INC. 800-942-3940 Free legal representation in civil cases to low income persons. Landlord-tenant disputes, domestic violence or improper denial of benefits such as Social Security, Public Aid, Food Stamps. General Assistances Unem­ ployment Insurance \