To the editor:

In his Feb. 15 column, George Will wrote, “In 1979, the top one percent of earners paid 19.75 percent of income taxes. Today they pay 36.3 percent. How much is enough?” True enough, and a seemingly compelling argument that the rich are paying their share.

Here is the statistical lie within. In terms of a percentage of their wealth, taxes paid by the rich are declining, not increasing. In 1983, the top 1 percent of earners in the United States controlled 33.8 percent of the total net wealth in America. In 1997, that figure had increased to 39.1 percent. At the same time, the bottom 40 percent owned less than 1 percent (Federal Reserve, Survey of Consumer Finances).

This trend continues. “How much is enough?” A fair share as a percentage of the wealth of the country is enough. Now pay up; you’re behind in your dues! The difference between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in terms of wealth is greater now than at any time since 1929, immediately preceding the Great Depression.

Archeological evidence has shown that early man believed that the most fortunate should aid the least fortunate in society. The best hunters would share their kills, the best gatherers their fruits, etc. Our great religions were founded on the same principles. The political right would have us behave in a manner that our early ancestors would find indefensible! Their tax policies would get them banished from the clan.

Doug Burger,

Lawrence