Feldsteins on Clinton Plan

After throwing in a few irrelevant figures on Medicare taxes and tax rates, the Feldsteins claim that one can easily reduce taxable income by 10%; presumably by increased deductions. I have found it extremely difficult, particularly since loopholes were closed, and the many deductions such as charity, sales tax, local taxes, home office deductions, business expenses, second homes, entertainment, etc., have been severely limited or eliminated.

Finally they claim that a seven-cent tax on gas would provide the same revenue as a high-income tax. But if this true, surely the logical argument could be used that consumption would decrease to offset the tax increase, similarly to the high-income people reducing their taxes “by working less.”

NORMAN F. BATES

Dana Point