At Tax Time, Tempers Fray Over Who Pays
John Balzar chooses a bad time to scold the taxpayers (“The IRS Isn’t the Enemy -- You Tax Cheaters Are,” Commentary, April 16). He flatters the government and stigmatizes the taxpayers. As if evils were necessary, we have the IRS. But it is only a consequence of an insane and confiscatory tax code inflicted on the public by opportunistic but negligent and incompetent legislators. While such government is all we are smart enough to contrive, at this point in time, let’s not forget it is still a contrivance that can be dropped in favor of a more humane arrangement for community administration.
Contrary to all outward appearances, people are not the property of the government. Perhaps Balzar should renew his acquaintance with the Declaration of Independence.
Alvin Lowi Jr.
Rancho Palos Verdes
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This is the tip of the iceberg illustrating the overall moral decay of the American people, who demand to have it both ways. People in this country do not want to pay for any government service they receive, be it national defense, health care, highway infrastructure, etc. Taxation in Western Europe, in contrast, has always been based on ability to pay, an alien concept in the U.S. but the only fair approach.
I would correct this malaise by mandating at least a one-year prison sentence for people who avoid filing a tax return, period. For actual tax fraud, a minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus confiscation of any property holdings.
John Hunady
Montebello
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Re “Bush Opens Campaign for a Slimmer Tax Cut Plan,” April 16: Could anyone possibly explain why we need a $550-billion tax cut while our education programs are being cut, teachers are being laid off and emergency medical treatment facilities are being closed, as well as the police and fire departments facing huge cutbacks?
We are providing funds to Pakistan, Afghanistan and now, of course, Iraq, which will enable them to have the very basics that we are being denied. Maybe the Bush administration would consider freeing the American people as well. We could also benefit and rebuild our infrastructure.
Ellen Chambell
San Clemente