Letter: Only GOP sees it as raising taxes

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | 9:29 a.m.

Remember the 2004 election campaign, when Sen. John Kerry suggested that the 2003 tax cut on those making over $200,000 be rescinded? The Republicans went ballistic, claiming that Sen. Kerry wanted to raise taxes, conveniently omitting the fact it was only limited to the over-$200,000 crowd.

We're seeing a similar approach to Social Security. You see, back in 1993, Congress put a cap of $90,000 on Social Security taxes, so people with high incomes only pay Social Security taxes on their first $90,000 earned.

Now Democrats and some moderate Republicans want to either raise the cap, or remove it altogether, but that would be raising taxes -- something that President Bush and core Republicans won't stand for. Removing the cap would eliminate any concerns about Social Security solvency, but since their rich friends would have to shoulder more of the tab, don't expect anything sensible like that to get past them.

RICHARD J. MUNDY

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