The fundamental question here is: Wealth generated in the private sector is inherently the property of __________?

Those who argue tax cuts "cost" the government would fill in that blank with "government."

Those who believe that entrepreneurs who risk their time, talents and capital to produce a product or service which produce jobs and meet the public's demand for such a product or service would fill in the blank with individual.

What is the "true cost" of living in America? Twenty percent? Forty percent? Seventy percent?

What services should you "expect" government to provide?

Entitlements? Wealth redistribution? Cash For Clunkers? Empire Building? Free health care?

Taxation is the cost associated with having a government that provides businesses and individuals with the framework and infrastructure needed to operate in a civilized world. There is more than sufficient tax revenue coming in to government coffers to meet these demands.

The problem is (and has been) that with a historic abundance of tax revenue, government will continue to expand its size and scope in an effort to justify taking more and more from the private sector. It will never feel like it has taken enough.

Our founders never intended to form the basis for a welfare (corporate, social or other) state. The power of taxation (and inflation) has been seriously abused and must be reigned in sooner rather than later.

Pat Radomsky, Baltimore