Two sides to ‘tax the rich’ debate

Re Good riddance to the tax-fleeing rich, Opinion Nov. 5 So well said, Desmond Cole. I’ve fumed for a long time about the arrogance of the privileged few, as they lament the high taxes they pay, as if someone were stealing from them. They rarely mention the benefits they reap from living in a free country like Canada.

Nor are they grateful for the everyday benefits that they, as citizens, have become used to. I have watched with wonder as people who could easily forgo a taxable benefit of some kind or another, make very sure they squeeze every last penny from the government coffers. And, they can do it because they can afford the highpriced accountants who make sure they get every single benefit they “have coming to them.” The rest must flounder along on their own when filling out their complicated tax returns.

The inequality in this country is appalling, and the rich are only getting richer. I wonder when enough will be enough for them.

Taxes should be progressive and reflect the need for services in a realistic way and those of us who can well afford to pay should keep quiet, or by all means leave. Fran Bazos, Newmarket

A rather insulting opinion by Desmond Cole. Three points:

Income taxes aren’t the only taxes Canadians pay. Assuming that the residence of a rich person reflects their wealth, their property taxes will also be higher than average. And assuming that they get the chance to spend their after-tax income, they will pay a significant amount of sales tax.

Second, people who have high earned income usually have worked hard to achieve a university degree and often a profes- sional designation. They work long hours with high levels of responsibility.

Mr. Cole’s conclusion is that the rich are welcome to leave the country and then go to hell. This type of vitriolic writing reflects badly on the Star. Randall Dutka, Oakville I leave Desmond Cole with a single question: If it is “entitled” to want to keep money that you’ve earned, how would he describe wanting to take money that someone else has earned? Adam Allouba, Montreal

Desmond Cole expressed a popular sentiment with his column. I don’t know what’s wrong with rich people, but they do come across like a stingy, greedy and totally self-centred lot. Why do rich people hate paying taxes so much? They just don’t seem to understand the concept of public services. Max Moore, Toronto

Justin Trudeau is right to raise taxes on the rich to pay for public services crucial for the economy and society. Mahmood Elahi, Ottawa