Republicans bankrupting nation

To the editor:

The Republican domestic agenda has been stated clearly by President Bush and should be obvious to everyone who pays attention.

The administration's tax policy is shifting taxes permanently from wealthy to current and future middle- and low-income Americans while their trial balloon of shifting tax from incomes to sales will add to the problem. For low- and middle-income Americans, weekly necessities consume a larger proportion of the salary pie than they do for wealthy folks who can protect their excess income in savings and the stock market. For average Americans, larger sales taxes would mean a far greater proportional income loss than it would for wealthy folks. And the Republicans want to reduce even further the taxes paid on income earned from stocks and dividends.

Since Social Security payments are dependent on current contributions the Bush privatization plan will endanger retirement incomes for those who have been counting on it for their senior years. Folks with large stock market portfolios, of course, will be untroubled.

With national budget and trade deficits soaring, Republicans are bankrupting the nation. It is no surprise that they now argue the need to cut those federal programs that serve all Americans: Health, consumer and environmental protection will be gutted, as will education and critical social services. Those of you who depend on government programs for help during periods of need will be the losers. If you receive a government check, expect it to disappear. Is this morality? Are these your family values?

ALAN JOURNET, Cape Girardeau