Letter: Taxing the rich the best way to fix things

We now have a government of, by and for corporations. The middle class are paying taxes, the rich are paying accountants, and the wealthy are buying lobbyists. When the mega-wealthy contend there is nothing illegal about their paying zero taxes, remember they are the ones through their purchase of lobbyists and representatives who decide what is legal and illegal.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is necessary that laws should be passed to prohibit the use of corporate funds directly or indirectly for political purposes.” In 1910, the former president warned that “a small class of enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief objective is to hold and increase their power,” could destroy American democracy.

Prescient.

Recall what a higher corporate tax rate accomplished: new schools, the elimination of polio, new highways, leading the world in new technology, cutting poverty, landing on the moon.

Impressive, huh?

How much do rich people avoid in taxes? According to U.S. Treasury estimates, the top 1% of wealthy people underpay their taxes by $163 billion annually. Not unexpectedly, the GOP opposes hiring of new IRS agents. They are duty-bound to protect their benefactors. Since 2000, billionaires’ wealth has increased 238%. Tax the rich.

Marilyn Mackey

Elida

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