Letters to the Editor

Letter: Tax fairness

Our country has gotten so divided. I personally think I do better when my neighbor does better. Not only on my street, but in our community, state, country and world. Life shouldn’t be a competition against others but an endeavor to improve life for all. Why do we rate our economy on the stock market, where a minority have investment, and unemployment numbers that don’t include all those out of work or underemployed?

We should rate our economy on wage increases, decreasing poverty, increased access to health care, decreasing homeless numbers, increased education outcomes, decreasing prison populations and less alcoholism and drug addiction.

No, I’m not a socialist, Democrat or Republican. I just think everyone deserves a fair chance and as an elder I’ve seen this decrease in my lifetime. I can see why a person working at a low-wage job with no benefits could easily end up homeless after a bout with the flu. I can see where the struggle to make ends meet could lead to depression and self-medication with drugs and alcohol. I can see a person choosing crime and jail over hunger and homelessness.

No, I’m not ready to share all I’ve worked for in life. I pay more than 10% of my income in local and federal taxes and would be willing to pay more. The system is rigged where the people who benefit the most pay little or nothing. Taking the Permanent Fund dividend is an unfair tax on the poor and working families, so that the wealthy can avoid a progressive state income tax. Our federal deficit is growing as the powerful use our joint credit card to avoid paying their fair share. They lie and fool the masses with their advertising propaganda for every election.

If more of us got involved and voted, we could turn this around and improve it for everyone and show the rest of the world how to do it.

— Tim Pritchett

Anchorage

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