Thursday, December 13, 2012 News • Leader • Press
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LETTERS Continued from Page 10 again, expressing his opinion that the “rich” don’t pay their “fair share” of the tax burden. Let’s see, according to the latest IRS data, which takes into consideration all forms of federal taxation, the top 5 percent paid 40 percent of all federal taxes despite earning only 26 percent of all income. Further, the top 1 percent paid 22 percent of federal taxes while earning just 14.3 percent of household income. As you can see, it is difficult to comprehend how anyone can conclude that the wealthy aren’t already paying a disproportionate share of the taxes in our country. Now let me address the concerns of the Warren Buffets of the world, who lament that their federal tax rate is lower than their secretary’s: Again using the latest IRS data, people who make $1 million or more had an average tax rate of 20.4 percent in 2010; filers who earned $30,000 to $50,000 had an average tax rate of 4.8 percent; and those who made between $50,000 and $100,000 paid 7.7 percent. These figures show that the more you make, the more you pay — exactly the result our tax system is designed to produce. Lastly, as our leaders in Washington negotiate the “fiscal cliff,” your readers should keep in mind the following: Regardless of the outcome of the “fiscal cliff” negotiations, starting in 2013 “wealthy” Americans are guaranteed to pay higher taxes. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) contains tax increases that trigger on Jan. 1, 2013, for single taxpayers with incomes exceeding $200,000 and married couples filing jointly with income exceeding $250,000. Somehow these tax increases have been omitted from the discussions regarding the “wealthy” paying their “fair share.”
Stephen W. DeFilippis, Wayne
Voters rejected extremism from those on the right When analyzing November’s election results, let’s be crystal clear. President Obama won handily in both the Electoral College and in the popular vote. In addition, the Democrats added two Senatorial seats to its majority and reduced the Republican margin in the House. More importantly, these wins were only partially the result of superior campaign
strategies, and they most certainly were not the result of superior financial resources. The Democrats won because American voters rejected Republican policies and the party’s vision for the future. It was a vote for reasoned moderation and a rejection of right-wing extremism.
Mary F. Warren, Wheaton
Americans voted to protect middle class In response to Jerry Drabik’s fears of a communist takeover of democratic America and our future demise (letter to the editor, Nov. 29), I have this to add comfort to many who may be shaken by such: Democratic aims are closer to a communist perspective in theory in that they attempt to equalize benefits to all, to uplift their status, and free them from power and wage monopolies by various separate interests, including corporate hegemony. Americans with this election determined not to vote against their economic and social interests as they have when adopting Republican agendas that utilized Christian virtue in deception of their aims. We must consider a society that pays its CEOs 250 times more than the average wage earner and the values set forward therein as a risk to a productive society. Perhaps communism lies here with discrepancies in power and influence that Mr. Drabik fails to see. Today, we see fewer monies into education and social services, with limited investment in infrastructure repair, and inattention to development in poor communities in the United States. A national health plan is available in the majority of developed countries who have greater life expectancy, lower infant mortality rates and higher quality of living (note Sweden, Canada and Germany) than in the United States. Certainly, these are the steps needed to create a healthier, more humane society and keep a democracy alive. When the middle class declines and we are left with a wealthy elite and lower wage earners, then democratic principles erode. We can hope for a better future with a president who has a vision for America driven by his value for a more equitable society.
Lisa Capps, Wheaton
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