ECONOMIC POLICY
On jobless benefits, tax cuts, spending and debt
Apparently the Republicans, and some heartless Democrats, are taking on the role of the Grinch. By denying the extension of unemployment funds to some 2 million workers who have exhausted their benefits, they have given the word "giving" new meaning, as instead they want to extend the billions in unpaid-for tax cuts to the top 2 percent of earners ("Jobless to lose federal benefits," Nov. 26).
This is being done without any regard to the national debt. Shame on them for such blatant disregard for the majority of people they serve.
CAROL OLSON, MINNEAPOLIS
• • •
Our tax system is broken because our elected leaders have forgotten the fundamentals on which it should be based. Taxes are meant to be a way for citizens to fund things that are for the common good, as it would be inefficient and disastrous if citizens were left to build private roads, hire private police and otherwise assume individual responsibility for core government services. Everyone who benefits should expect to contribute.
Many of our elected officials think taxes are something that should be paid by other people -- namely the rich. There should, however, be a litmus test for any new taxes. If we are not all willing to spend our own money for something in exchange for the benefits that will come from the spending, then it isn't worth doing.
I am not in the "rich" category as defined by either President Obama or probable Gov.-elect Mark Dayton, and I think it is shameful that our government would try to make high earners pay even more than the grossly disproportionate share they already pay.
We're all in this together. Let's all pay our fair share -- and that doesn't mean that rich people have to pay a higher percentage of their incomes for the exact same benefits.