Rothfus should check the World Investment Report

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus argues for lower corporate tax rates because our current rate “makes our country seem unfriendly to business and discourages job creation.” He also argues that lower tax rates “would bring more investors to America” (Nov. 16 Perspectives, “Why TaxCuts? Why Now?”). Unfortunately, Mr. Rothfus appears to be ignorant of the facts.

According to the 2017 World Investment Report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in 2016 the U.S. received $391 billion compared with $348 billion in 2015, becoming once again the largest foreign direct investment recipient in the world. The report goes on to say that the United States is the No. 1 prospective host economy for 2017-2019, ahead of China and India.

Mr. Rothfus’ argument is also off the mark about the effective corporate tax rate. Those who argue that the 35 percent statutory rate makes us uncompetitive ignore the fact that the average rate actually paid is below 20 percent.

The tax bill now before Congress will do nothing to create jobs while, at the same time, hurting middle-class workers by eliminating deductions for state and local taxes and medical expenses, especially cruel to those stuck with high expenses and stagnant incomes. BILL PRESUTTI JR.

South Fayette

We welcome your opinion

tax reform by following regular order — submit the bill to a committee, hold hearings, publicize the measures under consideration and negotiate on a bipartisan basis to produce a stronger policy supported by more people. PAT DUNHAM Kilbuck

The misguided thinking in Joe Mielcarek’s letter (Nov. 20, “The U.S. Has Bills to Pay, So How Can It Cut Taxes?”) is the reason our nation has languished in an economic funk for so long.

The writer asks how can we lower taxes when our nation has a $20.5 trillion debt? “When you have bills to pay, do you try to work overtime to catch up or work less?” he asks.

The answer is that history proves that lowering taxes does not necessarily lower government income. Tax rate cuts often increase government revenues as occurred during the JFK tax cuts in the 1960s and the Reagan cuts in the 1980s.

Here is what JFK said about tax cuts: “It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low, and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the tax rates.”

Furthermore, to follow Mr. Mielcarek’s analogy of a household budget crisis, the major solution to paying off your household credit card debt is to stop spending so much.

Our government has been living high on the hog for too many years, and it is time to cut spending and give that money back to the taxpayers to use as they see fit. This will jumpstart the economy and provide jobs and growth for everyone.

That’s what freedom and prosperity are all about! STEVE SCHLAUCH

Plum

As a teacher of third-grade boys, I find any comparison of them to the current occupant of the Oval Office to be quite offensive and, frankly, misleading. By this point in the school year, third-grade boys are becoming more aware of their peers and the give-and-take of social interaction, that their words matter and that name-calling will not be tolerated.

Unfortunately, nearly a whole year into this presidency, Donald Trump has regressed to the point that his lashing out and name-calling have actually increased. At what point do even his supporters acknowledge how degrading his behavior is? As would happen to a third-grader still acting out at this point in the school year, there would be consequences to effect positive change. When are we going to see that same standard applied to Mr. Trump? KATHY DAY

O’Hara

Regarding “Braddock Mayor Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor” (Nov. 15):

Finally a candidate who is more interested in solving the problem of opioids and recidivism than perpetuating the party platform. Thank you, John Fetterman. Good luck. JIM KINGSLEY

Jefferson Hills