Social Security and Slashing the Deficit

We were told, during the Reagan presidential campaign, that the deficit was a major cause of inflation. Since the deficit has increased, and inflation has decreased, it seems to me that we were misinformed. I believe we were further misinformed when we were told that reducing taxes would increase revenue.

Why are we continuously under a barrage of anti-tax propaganda? I have been aware of people lamenting taxation for about 50 years, and have not known one person who suffered real hardship because of taxes. The affluent, who most want military superiority and “law and order” to protect their assets, should provide the most support for war preparation and other security activities. A graduated, progressive income tax is appropriate for our capital gain, inheritance, and other existing taxes and would tend to reduce the probability that we evolve into an aristocracy of wealth.

RICHARD S. MELVILLE

San Clemente