Obama could have had better tax compromise

The so-called Republican-Obama compromise on taxes has passed, kicking the noisy can of deficit two years down the road.

The idea of ending tax cuts for everyone making over $200,000 individually and over $250,000 as a couple was flawed to begin with. There are many parts of the country, including Long Island, where a family of four needs to earn at least that much to live comfortably and pay for their children's college education. A much more agreeable proposal would have been to end the tax cuts on incomes over $500,000 for an individual and $750,000 for a couple.

This approach would have been fair, and also helpful in reducing the mounting federal deficit. If only the Republicans had been sincerely interested in doing so, and the president had not given up the store without a fight.

Ali A. Mirza

Elmont

Editor's note: The writer is the vice chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee.