Bush tax cuts appropriate

In response to Mr. Lawrence’s column appearing in the… Bush tax cuts appropriate

In response to Mr. Lawrence’s column appearing in the March 14 edition of The Pitt News, I would like to enlighten both Mr. Lawrence and his readers. In his column, Mr. Lawrence charges that President Bush’s tax cuts will “give the majority of the benefits to the richest 1 percent” and that capitalism “requires … everyone to share the wealth it creates in a way that everyone gets richer, not just the rich.”

Now for the facts. According to the latest data reported by the Internal Revenue Service, in 2000, the top 50 percent of all wage earners in America paid 96.09 percent of all income taxes! This means that half of all wage earners pay little to nothing in federal income tax. The top 10 percent of all wage earners are paying 67.3 percent of all taxes. The group Mr. Lawrence is most concerned about, the top 1 percent, pays 37.42 percent of all federal income taxes. Our tax structure is analogous to a situation where 100 people go to dinner and everyone’s dinner is $10 each. The bill for $1,000 comes, and fifty people leave a total of $40. The next 40 people leave a total of $288. The next nine people leave $298 while the last person – top 1 percent – leaves $374 for his $10 meal. Does anyone believe that this is the “fair shot at the dream of capitalism” everyone envisions? It isn’t mine. The truth is that a tax cut is going to help those who actually pay taxes. Check your facts at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/pub/irs-soi/00in01rt.xls.

John Ott

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Second Plate will be missed

It was a sad day for this Posvar Hall faculty member to read about the non-renewal of the contract of the Second Plate.

The Second Plate always has something to help one get happily through a long day. A delicious cup of coffee in the morning; for lunch any number of fine choices. My favorites have been the sushi (imagine being able to get sushi every day at a small campus restaurant) and the chicken Caesar salad. I imagine many others have their favorites as well. A bag of hot popcorn in late afternoon before evening class, and then a cup of hearty, thick soup brought up by the students during class break, have provided ideal late day snacks. The staff is always pleasant and I’ve enjoyed having a quick chat about basketball with some of the “regulars” I’ve gotten to know while my purchase has been dished up or rung up.

The Second Plate has certainly brought pleasure and comfort to many people with its fine quality varied food, its suitability for all hours of the day – and night for that matter – its reasonable prices, and its cordial staff. The Second Plate will be greatly missed. If there is a way it can get a reprieve, I’d certainly support it.

Karen VanderVen, professor

School of Education