Subject: tax reform Comment: My quick background is a BS in accounting and my husband has 4 degrees going to PHd. BUT we did not come from an affluent back- ground and have worked hard for the life style we have accomplished for our children. To keep compromising this level is appalling to me- my daughter and son did not qualify for any loans we had to save to give them a better education and no help would be given to our level of income. We are paying for everything besides teaching our children to help the less fortunate. It has been a struggle and our income is nowhere near the top but falls into that gray area- we do not get full mortgage deduction nor other deductions. We have sacrificed enormously to get ourselves educated and get better jobs to help our family. This legislation almost starts to say: hard work doesn't pay, should we go lean on government- it's ridiculous not to help those who have worked to be self-sufficient also. I have had tumors major surgery and my husband's insurance and our saving paid for it all. We are proud to be able to help others and be able to raise our children to do the same. BUT I really believe any employer should provide basic benefits for their employees, if not the government will be carrying them. People have choices in a lot of things they purchase ( this society has a lot) and they have many choices of levels of merchandise to choose from. I could go on and on but this is just a short over-brief of my feelings when I see someone saying that the "wealthy" should always be held responsible for those who do not want to better themselves. Bill Cosby in someways summed it up - we have been given the tools, let's use them. Marilyn Struby |