LETTERS: CONSUMER COSTS GO UP A LOT DUE TO OTHER TAXES

To the editor:

Here's some holiday travel news that doesn't fall into the category of good cheer. According to a recent study by the Washington-based Americans for Tax Reform, unseen taxes boost the price of travel-related items by about 41 percent. Without these taxes:

* A $400 plane ticket would cost just $240. Federal excise taxes, passenger facility charges, fuel taxes, arrival and departure taxes, air traffic control surcharges, fees for customs, immigration and agricultural inspections plus additional taxes paid directly by the airlines add 40 percent to the cost of a plane ticket.

* An $80 hotel room would cost just $45.60. State sales, use taxes, occupancy and tourism taxes plus the taxes the hotel pays directly such as federal and state income taxes, payroll taxes, capital-gains taxes, unemployment insurance and workers compensation taxes, business license taxes, utility taxes, property taxes, local income taxes and federal and state excise taxes on the hotel's telephone add 43 percent to the cost of a hotel room.

* A $50 restaurant bill would cost just $36.20, but higher-than-average sales taxes on food and drinks plus taxes on alcohol, franchise taxes and property, income and payroll taxes paid by restaurants add an average 28 percent to meal costs nationwide.

* A $20 tank of gasoline would cost just $9.80, but 43 different taxes imposed by federal, state and local governments add a whopping 54 percent to the price of a gallon of fuel.

So, while we're applauding the prospect of substantial income-tax cuts proposed by incoming President Bush, let's remember the plethora of other taxes that drive up costs and reduce working families' incomes. Sharply reducing or eliminating other onerous taxes needs to be on national, state and local agendas as well.

KENNAN DALE

Cape Girardeau