Taxes for wealthy and employers too high

Regarding "Is anybody playing fair and square?" [Opinion, March 6]: Peter Goldmark laments the fact that too many individuals and corporations evade their tax responsibility, and he seeks to draw parallels between the United States and Greece.

When people don't pay federal income taxes, who is left to pick up the balance? The so-called rich that Goldmark speaks of are actually carrying the overwhelming burden of funding the government. Moreover, the United States, unlike virtually any other wealthy country in the world, imposes taxes on its citizens based on worldwide income, regardless of source, and also imposes one of the most punitively high corporate tax rates in the world. The result of all of this is a large portion of the citizenry being divorced from the effects of onerous taxation. If I'm not paying taxes then why not increase them to fund programs I enjoy?

This strategy cannot end in anything but national demise. In a globalized world, capital will flow to its most efficient point, and the United States will end up a net loser as a result of its tax policies.

Lower marginal tax rates, lower corporate tax rates, a simpler tax code and restrained government spending are the keys to another American Century -- and for avoiding the fate of Greece.

Robert G. Frucht

East Northport
 

Corporations pay enormous amounts in taxes on profits and payroll, not to mention that they take risks to employ all of us. So if they benefit -- great! More jobs for us.

Also, let's not forget the more tax money the government squeezes out of business, the higher prices we consumers must pay.

Bottom line, perhaps Goldmark and others like him need to stop supporting government theft of private monies and start supporting smaller, more efficient and less expensive government.

Bill Christofidis

New Hyde Park