Occupiers fight for middle class

In reading the Nov. 27 letter, “Democrats show they don’t get it,” I wish the writer studied the subject a little closer. The tax loophole Republicans have suggested eliminating is the mortgage interest for home buyers. That’s the one that makes it possible for the middle class to buy a home. The 1 percenters don’t have to worry about that because they are rich. They pay cash for their homes.

Now as far as the 1 percenters paying half the taxes: pretty good deal considering they make 85 percent of the money. They pay (on the average) 17 percent to my 28 percent. They can afford the best health care, the best schools and early retirement. The Occupy Wall Street groups aren’t asking for a handout, they’re just asking for an even break.

Big business gets an even better break. Consider this: Boeing paid its CEO more last year than it paid in taxes. Some companies not only pay no taxes, but they get a return. In other words, we are paying them to do business here. The Occupy Wall Street people are fighting to save the middle class. You should be thanking them.

The last paragraph states that it’s the Democratic Congress that is spending us into oblivion. If you’ll remember, when Mr. Clinton left in January of 2001, the Congressional Budget office said that if we didn’t change our economic policy, by 2011, not only would we pay off our debt, but we would have a $2 trillion surplus. Then George and the Republicans took over all three branches of government. Two wars for the defense industry, two huge tax breaks for the rich, a bloated drug program for the pharmaceutical industry, and manipulation of the housing industry for the bankers.

When the Democrats propose a program, they figure out how to pay for it. The Republicans just charge it.

Tom Griffin

Everett

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