The cruelest cut of all: tax breaks for the rich

Re “House OKs Two-Year Extension of Tax Break,” Dec. 9

Not only does the House bill extend already enacted tax cuts, but members voted for additional tax cuts, most of which will benefit upper-income households and big businesses. Thus, many high-income households, rather than contributing to the war, deficit reduction and helping to offset the costs of hurricane recovery, will actually receive more resources as a result of the budget process.

At the same time, the Republican-led Congress is proposing substantial budget cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps and the Supplemental Income Insurance program that will affect low-income families, the elderly and the disabled who need these vital social services.

Why is there no shared sacrifice? This is shameful.

LINDY RUSSELL

Pasadena

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Your article on the current wave of tax-cut legislation presents staggering numbers: $56 billion one day after three other tax bills were passed totaling $94 billion over five years. When in wartime have there ever been tax cuts?

Then, when pushed, Congress hastily passes $7 billion in a package of tax breaks for our Gulf Coast but still is not interested in tracking down the billions missing for Iraq reconstruction.

While our own infrastructure deteriorates, we are passing tax cuts that only help those who use terms such as “capital gains” and “dividends.” This is done on the backs of children, the homeless and those without health insurance. What about tax cuts for those who will struggle to pay for heating oil this winter?

KAREN MORIN

Studio City