Letters to the Editor
Truth, Justice, and the American Way
An interesting feature of math problems is that they tend to have one correct answer. If you want new flooring for your living room, there is one measurement for square footage. If your checking account statement is different from what you show in the checkbook register, then you probably made a mistake, not the bank.
2+2=4. It is the basis of logical thinking and the ability to process or manipulate numbers in equations. The simple secret is the equal sign, =. What is done with one side must create a change in the other side to keep the balance.
Numbers by themselves don’t exactly say anything. They only represent relative value or quantity. They have meaning when they are attached to some unit of measure, like distance or dollars.
The importance of that equal sign is increased greatly when it comes time to advance beyond mathematics. We’d like to think that the same precision of math could be applied to the sciences like chemistry and physics. But what about other subjects like history, economics, sociology, psychology, philosophy? What if we were to look at other things like concepts, thoughts, and feelings?
Is one set of policies or principles similar to another, or is it an inequality? Is Plan A essentially the same as Plan B, or does a possible list of advantages and disadvantages add up differently? And what if some of the items are weighted, or a number of variables are included, does that change the calculations?
In seeing the current events problems we face on both a large scale and in our daily lives, can we do the math? If we start with some fundamental agreement on a topic, cannot all the steps forward be calculated while keeping an eye on that equal sign? It seems that everyone could figure out how to arrive at the same agreed upon utilitarian answer.
But, still, the divisions and disagreements continue. Why can’t we define Truth, Justice, and the American Way as worthy goals? How can we overcome the enemies like intolerance, ignorance, incompetence, disinterest, disinformation, historical revisionism, and false equivalences?
Sincerely,
Allen BrandBremen
The flat tax system; the wealthy’s unbridled dream
While many countries have adopted the flat tax have had booming economies, critics of the flat tax say there is no proof that the flat tax is the reason for the growth. After all, many of these countries were communist nations. Once the Soviet Union collapsed they were able to open up their economies to investment and could then trade with the developed countries in the West as freer markets.
In addition, critics also say they believe a flat tax is actually unfair. A gradual tax system does allow for things like wealth redistribution, which many have argued is a major benefit to society and more fair.
A flat tax could also give middle-class families an extra burden. For example, if you make $1 million per year and you pay 18% in taxes, you would still net $820,000, which still has great purchasing power. But if you made $50,000 per year, the same tax rate would net you $41,000 per year, which can be a financial strain.
How does a flat tax help the rich? A flat tax means the rich pay a lower tax rate than they would if the tax system included tiered rates. With much higher income, an individual will feel less of a burden with paying taxes. In contrast, a flat tax on people with lower and middle incomes would be more of a strain their finances.
With the above said, wealth inequality is vast and growing. It is one reason families are not as economically resilient as they would otherwise be. Over the last four decades, there has been a massive redistribution of wealth to those at the top. And, the reality of decades of tax cuts for the rich, austerity for the rest became all too evident when COVID hit.
The U.S. is in need of a bold FDR-esque revival in the spirit and content of his proposed Economic Bill of Rights, sometimes referred to as the 2nd Bill of Rights, created after WW II and the Great Depression.The middle class built the USA.
Bob Muckensturm
Lancaster
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Letters to the Editor
