House GOP Tax Cut Plan

How refreshing to see Ralph Nader and Barbara Boxer want to spend public funds on the public (Commentary, July 27). They are absolutely right that America desperately needs greater spending on our parks and the environment, our schools and mass transportation. Republicans can’t disagree, so they ignore these needs and plan a 10% tax decrease, which would give a few hundred dollars to a middle-class family and tens of thousands of dollars to a rich one. Outside of that small circle of the very rich, who could possibly prefer the Republican alternative?

TOM TRAUB

Pasadena

* In the demagogic style of left-wing Democrats, Molly Ivins distorts the facts to promote class envy and attack the GOP (Column Left, July 22). Her major thrust is the 10% across-the-board income tax cut in the GOP tax bill passed by the House. To show the mean-spiritedness of the GOP, she compares the benefits of the 10% tax cut that would be received by the “rich” and a hypothetical mother of two earning $30,000 a year. Consider the following.

1. In 1997 the Republican-controlled Congress passed legislation to benefit families by providing for a credit of $500 per child, which has the effect of reducing the hypothetical mother’s 1999 taxes by $1,000, from approximately $1,400 to $400 for a reduction of 71%. If the mother had three children she would not pay any tax. The rich do not qualify for the credits because of income limits.

2. In 1993, under the Clinton administration, the Democratic-controlled Congress increased income taxes on the rich (but not others) by 25% or more because of budgetary deficits. Now that we have surpluses, a 10% cut would only offset a part of the increases. It is phased in at 1% per year and would not go into effect if it would cause a budget deficit.

NATHANIEL J. STEIN

Los Angeles

* I, like many of us in the United States, have a larger burden of debt than I really should have. If I were to receive a cash windfall, I would first pay this debt off. It’s one of the best ways to ensure a more financially secure future. I don’t understand why Republicans in their insistence on large tax cuts don’t see this (other than election ploys).

Our generation created a huge national debt, and we should be responsible for paying off as much as possible. Or we neglect our obligation and pass the terrible burden on to our children.

DALE PROCTOR

San Clemente