Paying Taxes and Filing Forms

In 1940 I paid federal income tax of $5.35 on a total income of $1,320.30, as per the first 1040 I ever filed. Four-tenths of 1% of total income.

In 1940 the U.S. had a pretty good republic going, one that had nearly weathered 10 years of bitter depression, had launched Social Security and was soon to form a citizen armed force and build an arsenal able to beat two highly militarized and efficient fighting machines.

In 1940 the U.S. government spent per person $68.75. In 1997, it spent $5,974.75. Even allowing for an inflation factor of 11.5 times, over that 57-year span, the government spent 7.5 times as many of our tax dollars per person in 1997 as in 1940. If we’re getting all the government we’re paying for, do we need it?

JACK O’MARA

Irvine

* I think that in order to set an example for preparing tax returns, each and every member of Congress, House and Senate both, should be required to fill out his or her own tax returns without the help of lawyers, tax accountants or anyone else.

Elected state officials should also be required to do the same--at least state officials should add some pressure to Congress to clean up the IRS code and accompanying regulations.

I’d be willing to bet that almost none of the above could do it alone.

EDWARD THOMPSON

Irvine