‘Abolish the IRS?’

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to a few of Bruce Bartlett’s comments about the FairTax (H.R. 25) [“Abolish the IRS?” Opinion, August 6, 2004].

Contrary to what Mr. Bartlett states, a number of eminently qualified and highly respected economists have done extensive research on fundamental tax reform and the national retail sales tax.These economists include, but are not limited to,Dale Jorgenson, the Samuel W. Morris university professor at Harvard University, and Lawrence Kotlikoff of the Boston University economics department.

Both agree there would be a significant increase in national output and both have made estimates that set rates in the range of 23%. These men are considered serious in the economic field and support that rate.

While Mr. Bartlett may not support a national retail sales tax, he should refrain from attempting to disparage the professional reputation of economists such as Messrs. Jorgenson and Kotlikoff.

In recent years, House Speaker Denny Hastert has been working towards engaging the American people in a debate over fundamental tax reform. I wholeheartedly support his efforts, as should Mr. Bartlett, who has endorsed a flat income tax system in the past although he did not offer a better alternative to our current system in his column.

While we may differ on our preferred solutions, surely we can all agree that the current income tax code is riddled with deductions, exemptions, credits, exclusions, shelters, loopholes, and other inequities,which makes compliance with the current code far too diffi cult and costly for American citizens and businesses.

Having given this issue a tremendous amount of review and thought, I have concluded that a national retail sales tax is the preferred fundamental tax reform plan. However, I respect the fact that other people may decide to support other fundamental tax reform plans.

The most important thing is that we all agree that the American people need fundamental reform.The current income tax system must be repealed, the Internal Revenue Service must be abolished, and a system must be put in place that energizes the American economy and creates more jobs.

I would encourage everyone, including Mr. Bartlett, to review the FairTax, as it is only 132 pages, which stands in stark contrast to the more than 50,000 pages of tax code laws and regulations currently in effect. The legislative language very clearly lays out how the FairTax would work.

I would also encourage people interested in learning more about the FairTax to visit FairTax.org to inform themselves on the issue and the many benefits of a national retail sales tax.

REP. JOHN LINDER
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Linder is a Republican who represents the 7th Congressional District of Georgia and is sponsor of the FairTax (H.R. 25).

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‘The Other Americas’

I would like to call your attention to an article written by Reihan Salam that was featured on the op-ed pages of The New York Sun [“The Other Americas,” Opinion, July 28, 2004].

The op-ed focused on, as I interpreted it, drawing attention to the issue of social division within the Democratic Party. However, all that was lost on me when I read the second paragraph, which introduced state Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.In addition to doling out accolades regarding Mr.Obama’s “gifted”keynote speaking abilities,Mr.Salam also pointed out that Mr. Obama identifies himself as an African American and – this is the part that really got my attention – that he is “unusually articulate.”

Now,I ask the Sun,what is so unusual about a Columbia University graduate,a Harvard Law School graduate,a former Harvard Law Review president, and a state senator being articulate? I am sure that Mr. Salam’s intention when writing this article was to inform without any negative implications, thus, I’m willing to attribute this statement to a careless oversight on his part as well as on the part of whomever served as his editor.

DEANNA WILLIAMS
Manhattan