Hyper-Legislativity

Legislators send out periodic reports, ostensibly to inform us about the latest government news but really to keep their names and faces fresh in our minds until the next Election Day.

Two such reports were in local mailboxes recently, one from United States Representative Michael P. Forbes and the other from State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. Although each addressed tax cuts and government spending, and although both men are Republicans, the mailings offer a glimpse of the legislators' vastly different political styles.

Mr. Thiele's flyer shows a photo of a burning wad of $100 bills and announces the end of "business as usual in New York State." It describes a $4.75 billion tax cut package, a $1.5 billion budget surplus, and a $750 million increase in school aid. Constituents are then asked to send back a coupon for information on school tax relief or to tell Mr. Thiele what they think the pressing issue for 1998 will be.

Mr. Forbes sent out "An Urgent Request" for advice on how to "reform the tax code and put the I.R.S. in its place." Its good news-bad news message is in three closely spaced, dramatically worded and punctuated pages. The good news: "THE TAXPAYERS WON! Congress passed a $94 billion tax cut!" The bad news: "Americans are still paying more than half their income in taxes."

The "nightmare" of higher taxes for married couples than for singles and of the Internal Revenue Service's "targeting honest citizens with deplorable tactics" will end, it seems, if his constituents share their "horror stories" of I.R.S. abuse.

The understated, succinct message from Mr. Thiele, addressed to "Dear Friend," leaves readers optimistic about the economy and grateful to have such a hardworking, no-nonsense guy on their side.

Mr. Forbes, on the other hand, belts forth with oratory meant to incite his constituents to rally round the latest national Republican cause. If they answer his questionnaire, they are manipulated into having to check "Yes! Mike, I agree with you!" Can you think of anyone who would instead check "No. Our current level of taxes is about right and I do not support any changes at the I.R.S. or reforms of our current tax code"?

Alexander Pope once claimed that coffee "makes the politician wise." While that may be true, it seems time for Mr. Forbes to switch to decaf.