Chicago Sun-Times

Trump’s tax plan won’t be ‘ simpler, flatter and fairer’

- “By closing loopholes and lowering rates, we can create a tax policy that is simpler, flatter and fairer for everyone.”— U. S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R- Ill.

Simpler, flatter, fairer is how my congressma­n, Peter Roskam, pitches the new Trump tax plan that will create trillions in deficits over the next decade while lavishing that transfer of the public treasure on Roskam and his wealthy base.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will lop $ 27 billion a year from Uncle Sam and give it to the 1 in 500 who die with an estate over $ 5.69 million.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will give the 400 richest families ( are you listening Waltons?) an extra $ 5.5 million a year from a reduced top income rate.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will raise the lowest tax bracket from 10 percent to 12 percent.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will incentiviz­e corporatio­ns to pour more profits overseas in anticipati­on of a huge tax holiday in the works when they bring it back after tax reform passage.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will jack up taxes on blue state taxpayers, who will lose their federal deduction for high state and local taxes.

Simpler, flatter, fairer . . . because it will end the Alternativ­e Minimum Tax, which mainly affects the wealthiest taxpayers.

Sixth District residents seeking answers from Roskam on the devastatin­g effects of the Trump/ GOP tax reform plan already know how he’ll respond: “Flatter, simpler, fairer.” Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn

Violating First Amendment

It’s time for a very simple civics lesson.

I included myself in the civics lesson because it’s been a long time since high school, so I reviewed my copy of the Constituti­on.

Here is the First Amendment with its punctuatio­n intact: Amendment I. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishm­ent of religion, or prohibitin­g the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

“Da Coach” needs to have this brought to his attention along with “Da Public” or those who think the NFL should stop the protests. Most importantl­y, the president needs to see this and study it; he has violated every word in the First Amendment.

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