National Sales Tax

Re “Tax Man Fails to Get His Due,” April 13:

So 6.5 million people don’t file tax returns! Well, there’s a solution for that, and it’s not the IRS.

A national sales tax should replace the personal income tax. That way we pay as we go and everybody pays their fair share.

Rich people spend more and so would pay more--a sales tax is not regressive. The solution is simple, efficient and moral. Let’s do it.

LEX KUHTA

Irvine

* Let’s face it: No one likes to pay taxes! In American politics that is certainly a given. In every election season politicians from both parties say they will lower our taxes. Yet we must recognize the fact that taxes are the dues we pay for the privileges of living in an organized society.

However much we may complain, taxes pay for things we appreciate: national parks, public schools and colleges, libraries, highways and bridges, civil protection and national security, to name but a few items. Specifically, how is our tax dollar allocated? In 1995, about 30 cents went for interest on the national debt; less than 2 cents for foreign aid; about 13 cents for Medicaid and part of Medicare; less than 2 cents for education; 4 cents for running the government--courts, legislature, prisons, etc.; welfare and other assistance programs cost about 12 cents; and 45 cents goes to the military.

Obviously we have to cut spending. Our largest costs are the interest on the debt and the military. But while we try to cut spending, we must hold the line on income. Until the budget is in balance, and hopefully when we have a surplus, it makes no sense to cut taxes. When one is in debt is not the time to look for a lower-paying job.

Inasmuch as the United States is one of the lowest-taxed nations in the world, if anything we should consider raising taxes until such time as our deficits are canceled.

SANFORD ROTHMAN

Los Angeles