Tax breaks good deal for the state

It was good to see the breakdown of the Boeing tax breaks and their effects in Washington in your paper. A $305 million tax break incentive to a company that brought $13 billion to the state coffers is obviously a good investment. Government and business need to work together, like they do in Germany. Government is a business! But it relies on other people’s money and is run by non-business types. We compete with other states for business. If we don’t want jobs leaving the state, then we need to make it attractive for business to operate here instead of taxing them out of here. A no-brainer.

And if you think taxes aren’t high enough here, just ask anyone who is retiring and selling their home or land. They will tell you they have to pay 25 percent of their lifetime savings (which they have paid real estate taxes on their whole lives already) in capital gains taxes thanks to the end of the Bush tax cuts and the 4 percent Obamacare provisions added onto the already horrific 20 percent rates, in order to provide a whole lot of people with a whole lot of “free stuff.”

My case rests.

Robert Van den Akker

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Foster parent abstract concept vector illustration. Foster care, father in adoption, happy interracial family, having fun, together at home, childless couple, adopted child abstract metaphor.
Editorial: State must return foster youths’ federal benefits

States, including Washington, have used those benefits, rather than hold them until adulthood.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, May 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Will voters kill nation’s first long-term care program

Washington has its WA Cares fund, and other states are interested. But will it live past November?

This is a set of Cannabis product icons. This is a set of simple icons that can be used for website decoration, user interface, advertising works, and other digital illustrations.
Comment: What you need to know before talking about cannabis

Legalization has invited new forms — and higher potency — of the drug and its effect on youths’ health.

Bret Stpehens: Withholding arms won’t help end the bloodshed

Biden’s blunder will end up hurting Israel, Palestinian civilians and Biden’s chances at reelection.

Thomas L. Friedman: What protesters on both sides get wrong

If ‘from the river to the sea’ only means either Israel or Palestine, you’re part of the problem.

Paul Krugman: At least Biden more popular than his G7 peers

It won’t offer much comfort if he loses in November, but other leaders have steeper hills to climb.

Making adjustments to keep Social Security solvent represents only one of the issues confronting Congress. It could also correct outdated aspects of a program that serves nearly 90 percent of Americans over 65. (Stephen Savage/The New York Times) -- NO SALES; FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY WITH NYT STORY SLUGGED SCI SOCIAL SECURITY BY PAULA SPAN FOR NOV. 26, 2018. ALL OTHER USE PROHIBITED.
Editorial: Social Security’s good news? Bad news delayed a bit

Congress has a little additional time to make sure Social Security is solvent. It shouldn’t waste it.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters during a press conference about the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Senate Democrats reintroduced broad legislation on Wednesday to legalize cannabis on the federal level, a major shift in policy that has wide public support, but which is unlikely to be enacted this year ahead of November’s elections and in a divided government. (Valerie Plesch/The New York Times)
Editorial: Federal moves on cannabis encouraging, if incomplete

The Biden administration and the Senate offer sensible proposals to better address marijuana use.

To keep outdoor dining, don’t hide behind codes; change them

As I watch the Snohomish tent situation at Andy’s, I am amazed… Continue reading

Climate column should include role of nuclear energy

In his recent column, Paul Roberts speaks in broad generalities without getting… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.