Pursue real tax reform

The Republicans were unsuccessful in cutting taxes on those in the top tax brackets by repealing the Affordable Care Act. Now it seems they are more openly attempting to do so under the guise of “tax reform.” The Trump Cabinet is crawling with billionaires and major corporate executives, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. A level-headed guy for sure, but if you don’t believe he is more concerned about Exxon’s bottom line than he is yours or mine, you will love The Emoji Movie.

Corporate taxes should be reduced for smaller businesses and startups, but the global behemoths who pay little or no income taxes need real reform. Giant, highly profitable companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft should bring their billions in foreign banks back home to really make America great again. Since when did corporate profits and shareholder value replace the common good as the goal of our national tax policy?

As in the corporate sphere, well-todo individuals pay too little. To ensure that Medicare and Social Security are well-funded, the income ceiling on withholding for these taxes, which is now $127,200, should be removed on salaries above $350,000. Why should someone making $1 million per year pay the same employment tax as someone making $127,200?

Call or write your congressmen and senators. Tell them to stop favoring the Waltons and the Koch brothers and the cesspools of dark money that get them elected. Tell them to put America first; tell them to put you first for once. DAVID ELI COCKCROFT

Little Rock