Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

Keep tax options on table

Mr. Wolfson’s letter to the editor, “Study the numbers” (May 11), suggests that oil companies, insurance companies and the nation’s wealthy should not be a part of the solution to balancing the federal budget. He tells only part of the story.

Oil profits: Mr. Wolfson claims oil companies make just 8 cents profit on a gallon of gasoline? Skyrocketing oil prices have resulted in reported historic oil profits. In addition, they pay no corporate taxes and still receive billions in government subsidies.

Health insurance companies: Mr. Wolfson suggests that average annual profits are 2.2 percent to 3.4 percent? Insurance companies make much of their overall income (profit) from investments. Just look at the surging stock market.

Taxing the rich: Mr. Wolfson suggests that just taxing the rich won’t help solve our budget problems. He fails to mention the new spending cuts in place with more under discussion.

It will take both spending cuts and everyone paying their fair share in taxes to balance our federal budget – the only realistic solution.

Bob Pritchard

Spokane



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-3815

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy