Letters to the editor: Aug. 24-25, 2024

Published 4:00 am Saturday, August 24, 2024

Tax cuts for the rich?

Who are these terrible rich people who don’t pay enough? Actually, if you pay any federal income tax, (not SS or FICA) you are rich. That means you are in the top 10% of income earners and account for over 90% of federal income taxes. The top 1% pay over half of all taxes. Look at IRS tax data which details taxes collected by income strata.

So, if the tax rate is increased, does that mean gross federal income will increase? Well, probably not since that assumes the taxable income would stay at least flat or increase. People on the top of the income strata and fund managers will move assets from taxable investments to tax free investments such as municipal bonds for schools, roads and hospitals.

The Democrats complained bitterly about the tax cuts enacted during the Trump administration, stating cutting taxes would reduce federal income, when in fact it raised more income from higher taxable income on riskier investments.

Now Kamala Harris who failed economics as well as understanding the foolishness of socialism, (It has never worked anywhere at any time) plans to reverse the Trump tax cuts and use the loss of income to pay all kinds of free money projects. Another failure for socialism if you vote for her nonsense!

Dennis Bosch

Arp

There is hope

Various media report inappropriate behavior. My heart aches for individuals and families affected. One form of hope comes from Cecil Murphey books.

First, Cecil writes from theology, publishing, and mission experience. Among his 140 books, Cecil helped individuals tell their stories: Don Piper, Ben Carson, John Turnipseed, and Carlos R. and Rosemarie Evans.

In midlife, Cecil’s mind memories slowly surfaced of a female sexually abusing him during his formative years. As a result, Cecil eventually wrote three books on the topic.

Cecil recounts his own experience, facilitates others as they communicate their trauma and thus opens a pathway for healing individuals in pain. Through facing and talking about childhood sexual abuse, others benefit, begin their path to recovery and especially open doors of protection for potential victims.

When a state prisoner read More Than Surviving, other inmates asked to read it next.

For the man, who as a boy, was molested by his spiritual leader, helpful read his Cecil’s, Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

An aid for the wife who strives to retain balance while her husband struggles with shame is When a Man You Love Was Abused: a Woman’s Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation.

For another side of the issue, Cecil guided Kateriina Rosenblatt, PhD, for, Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor.

Cecil’s books provide understanding on how to deal with shame and anger, to accept, and to forgive.

There is hope.

Anna L. Russell

Tyler