Bloom Is Off the Tax Relief Checks

Re “Dwindling Surplus Has GOP Scurrying,” Aug. 1: I’m a little perplexed. The surplus in the national coffers that our leaders thought best to return to us has now disappeared due to a sluggish economy. We are now forced to go out and borrow billions to cover the rebates and other expenditures. That’s akin to a consumer who recently ordered a home entertainment center, and has just had personal income unexpectedly reduced, putting the purchase on plastic, rather than canceling the order. Wouldn’t it make sense to stop printing rebate checks, and for those few checks already issued, to establish an accounting adjustment on the 2001 return for those who received them?

John Smekal

Encinitas

The Bush administration asked Congress to allocate money to pay for the notices that many of us received from the IRS about the impending tax refund checks. With the support of the Republican-controlled House and most Republican senators, Congress willingly obliged. It cost $34 million to send those notices out. If you consider that the highest possible refund for an individual is $300, the notices cost 113,333 refunds.

That is a very interesting economic stimulus program.

Phil Gussin

Chatsworth

If, as a reader suggests, we were overtaxed in the first place and should therefore not be offended by our modest tax refunds (letter, July 31), we’ll try to keep that happy thought in mind as we send back our refund (and more) to the Internal Revenue Service in September for estimated taxes that the government recently commanded us DINKS [dual income, no kids] to pay, on top of the hefty amounts already being withheld from our salaries.

Margaret and James Warren

Los Angeles

I just can’t decide what to do with my rebate check. If I cash it I can use it to make a couple of car payments or take a small trip. If I don’t deposit the check, the government can use the money to buy a pair of pliers. Might even be enough to buy a monkey wrench! It’s going to be a tough decision.

Amul Pandya

Moorpark

It is reasonable to assume that one of the reasons for the Bush tax cut is to sweeten voters in coming elections with political candy. One can say it’s campaign finance with our tax money. Money talks, and to some Bush is indeed the Candyman. Washington is not inflation-proof, and costs keep rising. They need all the money we taxpayers send them to run this country. Bush’s big military spending plans, among others, demand it. Three things are for sure: death, taxes and the shrinking budget surplus.

Ken Johnson

Pinon Hills

Borrowed money sent to a citizenry that is ultimately responsible for its repayment is a loan, not a rebate.

Mike Kvammen

South Pasadena