AS I SEE IT

Commentary by and for Harrisburg and Central Pa. residents

• Give a tax break for successes
In this time of so much economic blame, and so many to blame for so much, now accompanied by frenzied something-for- nothing "entitlement" chatter, how about taking a step back and rewarding small-scale success instead of penalizing, punishing or taxing it?

• Contrary to the assumptions of dweebocracy, crimes are not just committed by the economic underclass of street thugs.
The headlines and news reports about the U.S. and global financial meltdown leave ordinary readers breathless. Allegedly, a slump in an overly leveraged U.S. home mortgage market spread into a global liquidity crisis. In response, the U.S. Treasury Department and Federal Reserve began throwing massive amounts of money at banks and other financial institutions.

• Pay-to-play
Attorney General Tom Corbett's aggressive investigation of the Bonusgate scandal has put a bright spotlight on the fine line that separates legitimate legislative staff work from campaign-related activities. What has not gotten a lot of attention is a similar cozy relationship between campaign contributors, and the awarding of nonbid government contracts from the officials they have helped to elect.

• Waiting until 18 to drive might be the mature thing to do
Statistics show that teenagers cause the most car acci dents, prompting the Na tional Highway Safety Institute to recommend that states change the legal driving age from 16 to 18. Teens could apply for their permit at 16 but not receive their license until they turn 18 to give them more time to gain knowledge and experience.

• Waiting until 18 to drive might be the mature thing to do
Statistics show that teenagers cause the most car accidents, prompting the National Highway Safety Institute to recommend that states change the legal driving age from 16 to 18. Teens could apply for their permit at 16 but not receive their license until they turn 18 to give them more time to gain knowledge and experience.

• India's terrible terror: What could be next?
The terrorists will have won if this latest attack stops Americans from traveling to India or any other place in the world.

• The terrorists will have won if this latest attack stops Americans from traveling to India or any other place in the world.

• One-size-fits-all test will fail
In January, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association moved to implement high school graduation tests beginning in 2014 to ensure diplomas mean something. After receiving opposition, however, from school districts, teachers, advocacy groups and individuals alike, the Legislature ordered a one-year halt to the process. Regardless, the idea is not dead.

• Milton Hershey
When John O'Brien, who recently announced his retirement, assumed the presidency of the Milton Hershey School in December 2002, it had become less of a "home" for the neediest children and more of a "prep school."

• Re-examine alcohol policies
Thursday kicks off a sea son that is well- known for its accompanying fes tivities. Families and friends will get together, and chances are high that most adults will be celebrating with a beverage or two. But just as most partygoers make it a point to look after each other at these holiday gatherings, local governments will be taking some extra precautions to keep our roads safe.

• Nutrient credit trading can cut costs, ease bay pollution
In a recent article and ed itorial, The Harrisburg Authority was criticized for considering a nutrient credit purchase plan versus a full sewage treatment plant upgrade and expansion to meet its nutrient reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay. This claimed "right to pollute" is more accurately described as a "right to effectively reduce pollution costs."

• Electoral wreckage
How did the Republicans fall so fast, so completely?

• Reasonable goals are measure of success
Can you believe it? The weather is getting cold, daylight is dwindling and the holidays are upon us. Life can speed by so quickly that it's valuable to take time to reflect.

• Fading physicians
As a physician in Pennsylva nia, I am concerned that there won't be enough gen eral internists, especially as the population ages. As the governor of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Physicians, representing 2,136 internists, I am very familiar with the extent of this problem.

• Many fans won't see Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals have won three of the last four AFC North division titles. Tonight, the rivalry continues with the 7-3 Steelers looking to stay in first place behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had his second 300-yard passing day of the season on Sunday. NFL Network is excited about the telecast.

• Today's idealism will turn into tomorrow's harsh reality
Ihad the worst, most horri ble of nightmares on elec tion night. I dreamed that an inexperienced, first-term senator with known radical and terrorist connections had been elected the leader of the free world. Unfortunately, I awoke to the harsh realization that this had not been a mere specter haunting my imagination.