The Legacy of Proposition 13

* Cary D. Lowe (Opinion, Dec. 18) says that state taxes have dropped since Prop. 13, which is the reason for the “creative” sources of income in Orange County that brought on bankruptcy. Lowe says Prop. 13 is the real culprit and should be repealed.

Perhaps Lowe should take a look at the numbers. State taxes have gone up every year since Prop. 13 was enacted at a rate greater than the national average.

If taxes have indeed gone up and public services have been cut back, where has the money gone? The greatest increase in public spending has been welfare, which has doubled in the last five years. If the cost of welfare continues to double every five years, how long will it be before the entire nation is bankrupt?

WILLIAM D. SIMPSON

Rancho Palos Verdes

* I’m continually amazed at the people who write articles and letters for your editorial pages.

Some still can’t get past Prop. 13. They don’t seem to get it. It was passed because of obdurate politicians and its consequences have been caused by obdurate, unaccepting politicians.

Some seem to think life has to be fair, and if it’s not, then government, or somebody has to do something about it. They seem to think government can force people to feel and behave differently.

As far as taxes go, (they say) tax breaks are bad because high-income people get back more dollars with the same percentage than lower-income people. Tax breaks are bad because poor people, who pay no taxes, get nothing back.

Social engineering doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked here and it hasn’t worked in Europe. Read the Federalist Papers and get on with life.

RALPH NEBIKER

San Diego

* Lowe is in error about Prop. 13 leading to the crisis. If the county had had more money, the debacle would have been greater. The public’s real desire is for less arrogant personnel in less government at less cost. Orange County may now get that.

BILL SIMMONS

San Gabriel