Proposed Tax Cuts

One of the most crazy things I have ever seen is that the Congress feels it must “sell” a tax cut to the American people (Aug. 9). Consider applying President Clinton’s thinking to other common life scenarios:

Bank teller to depositor: “We know you asked for a $1,000 withdrawal from your savings, but we can only give you $700 of it because we just can’t trust that you’d spend it right.” Salesman to customer: “We know the stereo you want to buy is priced at $500, but we’re going to have to charge you $800 for it because we are afraid you wouldn’t spend that extra money right.” Employer to laborer: “Your work is worth $40,000 a year, but we are only going to pay you $30,000 because we could not be certain you’d spend all of your income right.”

Of those who say that the $792 billion doesn’t really mean a whole lot to the average citizen, how many would say in any of these circumstances, “Yep, you’re right, I shouldn’t have that money because it wouldn’t amount to that much anyway”?

DAVID BECK

La Verne

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Congressional Republicans have made a great show of “giving the people’s money” back to them. Only a few senators and representatives mention something else they have already given the taxpayers: several trillion dollars of debt.

If the national debt is substantially reduced it would benefit ordinary people who work for paychecks instead of clipping coupons and riding the stock market bubble. Home loans, car loans and credit card debt would all become cheaper. Businesses could expand at lower cost. More jobs could be created that pay a living wage.

If an ordinary head of household had a chance to pay off the mortgage on his/her home but chose instead to use the money for vacations, a fancy car and betting at the horse races we would all condemn such a choice. Why do members of Congress act surprised when we condemn them?

ALAN NESTLINGER

Santa Ana

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Single-sighted tax cutters say, “It’s the people’s money; give it back.” Prudent people say, “It’s the people’s debt; pay it.” Thoughtful people say, “It’s the people’s country; fix it.”

LES BOSTON

Sherman Oaks