‘Legal’ tax bite has the power to cause pain

Subdued rage crept over me as I read the Bettijane Levine piece on David Cay Johnston’s book “Perfectly Legal,” which describes how the IRS tax code is designed to cheat all but the super-rich (“Beware the Ides of April,” April 7).

Hardly a day seems to go by without some news item citing how much the undecipherable, loophole-ridden IRS tax code is costing the U.S. government billions in lost tax revenue, not to mention added enforcement costs in dealing with cheats, offshore interests, deadbeats, etc.

Why are not media outlets engaged in keeping this story on the front burner of American politics and demanding accountability from our national leaders?

Why are special interests more influential than the best interests of the American people? When are our political leaders going to do the right thing for the country and adopt a straightforward value-added tax or flat tax?

Are you listening, Mr. President?

Norm Zareski

Palos Verdes Estates

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After reading Levine’s article, I am left with a firm conviction that what this country needs is another tea party.

Joan Peterson

Culver City