TWO STORIES in the March 8 Globe cover demonstrations against cuts to the Boston Public Schools and fare increases on the T (“Boston students walk out over cuts,’’ Metro, and “It’s official: T’s riders to pay more as of July,’’ Page A1).

They demonstrate how ordinary people are bravely standing up against what are essentially taxes on the poor and middle class and illustrate the growing income inequality highlighted in the Globe’s excellent front-page article (“Income inequality commands attention,’’ Page A1, March 6).

Instead of a progressive income tax, which would increase revenue by taxing the more affluent, politicians prefer to place the burden on the primarily low- and middle-income people who use public transportation and send their children to public schools. The craven attitude that makes Governor Baker and legislators of both parties unwilling to raise taxes for the public good is a major cause of our state budget deficit.

We do need more revenue to pay for a broken T, inadequate schools, crumbling roads and bridges. But it should not come through “fees’’ on parents, cuts in teachers and classes, or sharp increases in the cost of public transportation. It should come from greater taxes on those who can afford it, many of whom can send their children to private schools and drive to work.

Susan Jhirad

Medford