People Like Mrs. Kerry Should Pay More in Tax

Re “Deconstructing Teresa Kerry’s Income Taxes,� Oct. 24: In Michael Kinsley’s commentary on Teresa Heinz Kerry’s 2003 income tax return, a point was missing. Mega-rich people like John Kerry’s wife have very little earned income relative to investment and estate-generated income. If Teresa Heinz Kerry had most of her $5 million 2003 income from earned income, she would not be able to pay as little tax as she did without donating most of it or using some tenuous tax shelters.

Many people who earn more than the $200,000 income that John Kerry wants to raise taxes on already pay substantially higher than the 12.4% rate his wife paid. Many of us work extremely hard to have earned income and don’t have the large cash reserve that benefits from tax-exempt bonds. John Kerry should offer some plans to increase the tax liability for people like his wife who live off their estates to a far larger extent than their earned income.

Diana Jue

Palos Verdes Estates