‘Clarifying a Controversy’

As you suggested (“Clarifying a Controversy,” editorial, May 22) surtaxes on higher incomes of retired persons might be justified as partial financing for increased Medicare benefits. However, this overlooks a very important reason for complaint. A more steeply graded use of progressive taxation should in all fairness be applied to all taxpayers, and not only to the elderly.

Medicare expenditures are made primarily to the elderly. Funds for basic education are largely expended for the young--but school children are not asked to pay additional taxes for this benefit. Government action to stimulate full employment most directly affects those between childhood and retirement.

Guaranteeing such basic human rights is a responsibility of all of us. The principle of taxation on the basis of ability to pay should be applied equally to all taxpayers.

HARVEY SEIFERT

Claremont