Estate Tax Relief Inherits Advocates

* Re “Estate Tax Relief Is Aimed at Wrong Group,” Commentary, April 15: From his lofty ivory tower, Robert Kuttner seemingly can’t lower his “estate tax repeal critique” sights to focus on those impacted most devastatingly by today’s tax rate--the middle class, like myself.

I inherited nothing from my parents except a strong work ethic. I worked hard all my life to create an estate that would both enable me to live a comfortable life in retirement and to provide something to my three children, who also are hard workers. They have difficulty saving anything in today’s unfortunately confiscatory tax world, so what they would get from my estate would be enormously helpful to them and their growing children. If the current tax remains in force, the government’s bite would devastate those funds I worked so hard for so long to accumulate.

Like many liberals, Kuttner seems to follow the Democrats’ mantra that alleges the proposed tax cuts or repeals favor the rich. Sure, it affects them favorably, since that 2% of the country pays some 40% of all taxes. Why should they be discriminated against? All of us benefit from the proposed Bush tax cuts and I, for one, want my refund.

ROBERT B. WOLCOTT JR.

Corona del Mar

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Kuttner, advocating federal estate tax revenues for long-term nursing care for seniors, is onto something. President Bush advocates eliminating the federal estate tax, which he compassionately calls the death tax. If that tax can be eliminated, so can it be earmarked for a compassionate purpose. Why only long-term nursing care? Why not Medicare prescription drug benefits? Everyone supports prescription drug benefits for seniors, and George W. has told us where the money is to pay for them.

JOHN F. FERGUSON

North Hollywood