Use taxes properly

Roger Hancock is going off half-cocked (“Dems’ answer: more taxes,” Jan. 15, 2019). Even conservative economics commentator Robert Samuelson thinks that Americans are undertaxed (Washington Post, Nov. 8, 2017).

It is not just that we are undertaxed. We are taxing the people who can least afford to pay those taxes, especially here in Washington. I want to cut our sales tax to 5 percent and eliminate the B&O tax. Capital gains should be taxed at the same rate as labor, estate taxes should be increased and a transaction fee should be placed on Wall Street transactions. We should begin taxing carbon and we need an income tax with marginal tax rates identical to those in 1975.

Then we can invest in our future by building out broadband into rural areas, rebuilding bridges and roads and supporting clean energy development. We need to invest in public education including vocational programs. Medicare for All would provide universal affordable health care. What kind of society allows our youngest members go into massive personal debt to get an education because we refuse to pay taxes? What kind of society allows our most vulnerable people to go bankrupt because they cannot pay medical bills?

Tax appropriately and invest in America.

Audrey Burr

Spokane