With Tax Time Upon Us, Class Warfare Heats Up

Re “How the Right Gets Taxes Wrong,” April 13:

Liberal tax spinners such as Matthew Miller love to suggest that the conservative argument about the federal tax burden “is misleading and incomplete” because payroll taxes are not included in the equation. But Miller is being more than disingenuous by not taking it to the next logical step. He knows good and well that lower-income payers benefit from Social Security and Medicare retirement and health benefits in a hugely disproportionate fashion.

Yes, contributions to Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance from upper-income taxpayers may be limited -- but the benefits are even more so. If you want to drop the cap on my Social Security contributions, then drop the cap on my future benefits as well. And while you’re at it, don’t tax 80% of those benefits if I have other forms of income. When the payroll tax onion is peeled, liberal class-warrior tears turn out to be crocodilian in nature.

Paul Burich

Milpitas, Calif.

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People need to realize that we all are overtaxed. Why is it that liberals continue to say President Bush gave tax breaks to the rich?

The lowest tax bracket went from 15% to 10%, a drop of 33%. On the other end, the top tax bracket went from 39.6% to 35%, a drop of 11.6%. Those of us with children get a $1,000 tax credit per child. This gets phased out starting at $110,000.

It’s about time those of us (me included) start thanking all these millionaires for all these services they pay for. The best way to even things up is by abolishing the federal income tax and going with a consumption tax. That would be evenly fair to all.

Cory Stejskal

Westminster

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Re “John Kerry’s ‘Tax the Rich’ Mantra Won’t Get the Jobs Done,” Commentary, April 12: I wonder why Amity Shlaes’ attack on Sen. John Kerry’s economic ideas failed to mention that while the top 1% of taxpayers pay only 17% of their income to federal taxes, the bottom 80% of taxpayers pay 41% of their earned income to federal taxes. This includes Social Security and excise taxes.

Clearly those earning less bear a greater burden in terms of the effect on their living standards. That’s why a progressive income tax makes sense.

Moe Tawil

Manhattan Beach

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I’m no financial wizard, but I know enough to recognize that when you cut taxes, you cut social services. And when the administration calls for privatization of Social Security, I know that’s nothing more than a desire to suspend all spending -- unless, of course, it pays for an unneeded war in Iraq.

Maybe Shlaes should take a look down (from her higher tax bracket) at the 98% of us who are working our butts off to afford the rising costs of housing, education, healthcare and myriad other basic human needs. Because, from where I’m standing, it looks like nothing would make President Bush and his cronies happier than to see this country turned into their personal ATM.

Josie Nericcio

North Hollywood

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The deadline for filing taxes is today. My big question is: Where are my tax savings that the president has promised?

My average income is $50,000. Guess that puts me squarely in the middle class. But no tax savings. I ended up having to pay the federal government $854 this year. So much for Bush’s tax cuts for the middle class.

Jean Rosano

Los Angeles