Readers React: There’s a reason the rich pay more in taxes

George Skelton should do us a favor and dump the silly “soak the rich” and “draw blood from the rich” rhetoric. He should get on board with financial reality in California. (“The reason for California’s tax volatility: We soak the rich,” Column, May 4)

The rich pay the lion’s share of California income taxes not because they are being punished but because they have the lion’s share of the money, particularly in terms of true disposable income. It is fair and right and proportional to ask those who have so much money to contribute more.

In getting this equation right, Gov. Jerry Brown did the real heavy lifting, which Skelton says he hasn’t done when it comes to tax reform.

There isn’t a poor person in California who wouldn’t be thrilled to be in the 13.3% income tax bracket, and even those Skelton believes should “kick in a little more” would be happier making $1.9 million a year, even if they had to pay more in taxes.

James Cole

Palmdale