Fred Rusk’s letter (Herald, Oct. 7) deserves additional comment because almost all retirees’ income is “unearned” from investments made to cover retirement expenses and Social Security payments.

In many Amendment 69 letters, there is a general theme of “check the facts.” OK, here are some facts entirely missed by the news story (Herald, Sept. 29.) Fact: Amendment 69 proposed tax rate on unearned income is 10 percent. Fact: This tax rate is 300 percent of the 3.33 percent proposed tax for earned income. Retirees pay three times as much. Fact: The proposed retiree tax rate of 10 percent equals the proposed combined tax rates of 3.33 percent from the earned income worker and 6.67 percent from his or her employer.

Conclusion: The Amendment 69 proposed 10 percent tax rate on unearned income discriminates hugely against retirees.

In my opinion, the deductions of $24,000 and $48,000 (same as the Colorado state income tax) are much too low for either retirees or workers to make much difference to the conclusion above. If you pay Colorado income tax, expect Amendment 69 costs to be much higher.

That the Amendment 69 program will be run by politicians, also known as “elected officials” or “administrators,” makes the decision easier. Retirees, vote “no” on Amendment 69.

Robert Baillie

Durango