LETTERS
Taxing problem

---

What a great idea. Tax basic necessities (food and medicine) purchased by street vendors who must make at least a couple of dollars a day ("The Iron Taxman Cometh," August/01). The gap between the richest and poorest in many developing countries like Mexico is even greater than that in the U.S. Value-added taxes have disproportionately greater impact on those with the lowest incomes. A 15 percent tax on someone who makes $10,000/year might mean not eating three meals a day. A 15 percent tax on someone who makes $100,000/year might mean eating out less often. A 15 percent tax on someone who makes $1,000,000/year might mean eating only once a year in Paris instead of two or three times. Maybe Gil Diaz could add to the treasury by giving up a few of the "perfectly layered" espressos served by his black-tie clad waiter.

Victor S. Sloan, AB'80
Scotch Plains, New Jersey

---