Stop helping the rich and start to help senior citizens

As the largest part of his latest tax package "to spur the economy," President Bush will, once again, bestow his beneficence on those who need it the least by eliminating taxes on corporate dividend income. While he uses the grail of untaxing income that is being taxed twice, he pooh-poohs opponents’ claims of "class warfare"—the Republican rich fighting to screw the poor at every turn.

If the president truly wanted to get rid of the most unfair, double-taxed income, why doesn’t he begin, instead, with the elimination of the double tax on Social Security? Most seniors can use any savings a lot more, and are apt to spend it a lot faster than the extra bonanza that will be given to the wealthy.

Social Security benefits were not taxed, until relatively recently. Now, an individual taxpayer with the paltry income of only $25,001 (which includes half of your Social Security benefits plus all other adjusted gross income including nontaxable interest) has to pay taxes on 50 percent of his already taxed Social Security benefits.

If this senior’s income rises to only $34,001, up to 85 percent of his Social Security benefits are taxed.

What do you say Mr. President? Give me a break.

Jerry Monkarsh

Agoura Hills