Taxpayer Says Unequal Policy Starts at the Top

As a person whose entire pretax income roughly equals the amount of state income tax that President Bush avoids paying by maintaining a 14-days-a-year residence in a Houston hotel suite, I regret that you didn’t print the story of Bush’s tax dodge on the front page where it belongs, “Bush Pays Few State Taxes, Magazines Says” (Dec. 28).

It was buried on Page 2 of the Business section, where it was probably missed by most struggling taxpayers--aside from those scanning the lists of additional job layoffs and business failures.

Ronald Reagan and Bush cut federal income taxes in the top brackets and shifted the spending burden to the states. California responds with “taxpayer protection” policies that shred support for poor children (thus guaranteeing they will not become future taxpayers) and slashes education spending.

Perhaps it’s time for those of us who actually pay our fair share to give more attention to the behavior of those at the top. Does anyone remember that Richard Nixon also underpaid his taxes (through an illegal $576,000 tax deduction), while using the IRS to harass American citizens who opposed his Vietnam policies? Or that the “Watergate” pardon absolved him of that action as well as his diversion of federal funds to beautify his San Clemente and Key Biscayne estates, which he promised (but neglected) to donate to the American people?

This nation was started by people who felt that they were overtaxed and underrepresented: They paid, but didn’t make the decisions, while others ruled but didn’t carry an equal burden. Where is Paul Revere when you need him?

CYNTHIA STURGIS

San Diego