Roskam’s tax bill plan would harm the middle class
U. S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R- Ill., is one of the men behind the House tax bill. As has been the case lately, he gets it wrong again. Roskam has refused to hold town halls for over a decade, and has shown he is completely out of touch with his constituents.
This tax bill harms the middle class and takes away many deductions upon which we rely. Not only that, but he also penalizes graduate students by making their tuition and health insurance waivers tax- able income; he takes away the Alternative Minimum Tax, which was put in place so the ultra- wealthy at least pay some taxes; and takes away crucial deductions like the state and local tax deduction and student loan interest deductions. These moves will make it even harder for young generations to either stay or move into the middle class, and further drives income inequality.
Peter, your constituents want our tax dollars to go toward improving society for all, not in the pockets of the ultra- wealthy and corporations. Leslie Sadowski- Fugitt, Downers Grove
Not the whole story
In a letter to the editor, the writer indicated that the Sun- Times failed in its editorial to tell the real and positive story about the charter schools. And they proceeded to tell that part of the report but again failed to tell the whole story.
The writer kept using the word “selective” in referring to the colleges charter school graduates could select from. They failed to mention though that selective could also be employed with regard to their enrollments. Just as was true of private schools years ago when comparing them to the public system, when you can pick and choose your students, turn them away when they fail to meet criteria or rules, it is much easier to achieve these results.
Public schools do not have this option; they must accept and work with every student. In 35 years of teaching in the city, I have had students attend Ivy League schools and one even received the opportunity to study in Oxford, England. When you propose to tell the story, please tell the whole story.
Daniel Pupo, Orland Park