No tax cuts for the top 2 percent

President Obama needs to send a very clear message to the American people that the economy will not recover without shared sacrifice.

Social Security recipients are going a second year without a cost of living increase. Now, federal employees' pay is frozen for two years. The newly elected Congress should follow suit when the subject of pay raises comes up for a vote next year.

Most importantly, the upper 2 percent must sacrifice their tax cuts. They do not stimulate the economy. They have had the tax cuts for a decade now, and the economy still tanked. The tax cuts to the wealthy are not paid for, and $700 billion will have to be borrowed. That money, borrowed to make the rich richer, will be added to your children's and grandchildren's debt.

Voters, remember, as a candidate, Barack Obama never said, “Yes, I can.” He said, “Yes, we can.” Call your senators and representatives, regardless of their party, and tell them not to extend the tax cuts for the rich.

That is the message, loud and clear. Send it.

Diane Niesman

Wheaton