LETTERS: BOND, CARNAHAN SHOULD COOPERATE ON U.S. TAX CUTS

To the editor:

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to pass President Bush's plan to reduce taxes for all Americans who pay federal income taxes. Now Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have a historic opportunity to help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money and jump start the economy at the same time.

Why should Sen. Christopher Bond, a Republican, and Sen. Jean Carnahan, a Democrat, join together in supporting the tax cut? Here are three good reasons:

First, the economy needs a boost. Missouri employers are feeling the slowdown in orders and in overall economic activity. Congress can give the economy a real shot in the arm by enacting meaningful tax cuts.

Second, Missourians deserve a break. The percentage of taxes being taken by the federal government is the highest in history. The Bush proposal ensures that all taxpaying Missourians would benefit.

Third, the government can afford it. The federal government is running huge surpluses for as far into the future as we can see. The debt is being paid down significantly, and Social Security is being protected.

The proposed $1.6 trillion cut is over a 10-year period when the surplus over the same period is in the neighborhood of $5.5 trillion.

Please contact both Bond and Carnahan to ask them to work together by voting yes on President Bush's tax cuts for America.

DAVID SMITH

Executive Director

Taxpayers Research Institute of Missouri

Jefferson City, Mo.