Tax bill will widen wealth gap

Not only is the United States the wealthiest country in the world, but it has more wealth now than it ever had before. You may not realize this, because the wealth isn't spread equally among the population. In fact, it is the corporations and the wealthiest idle rich who have a bigger share of wealth than ever, while those who labor for their paycheck have a smaller share than ever before.

The GOP and the president are now trying to pass a tax cut that will not help, but will widen this gap even further. Every analysis of this tax bill shows that the benefit goes straight to the top of the wealth and income earners, who have no desire or incentive to spend their money to help the economy. Let me say that again. This will in no way create jobs or help the economy. Job are not created by increasing the stashes of wealth in the pockets of a few. Jobs are created by increasing demand for jobs.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of Americans will see no benefit, and many already struggling will be hurt further by this proposed plan. If you got a new boss at your company, and his first major executive action was to give himself and his friends a raise while cutting your assistant's paycheck simultaneously, would you stand for it?

During the Great Depression, John D. Rockefeller used to toss dimes out of his limousine window to poor children. It wasn't real help. It was an insult in the guise of a tiny handout. This is what the GOP is doing in this tax deal. It is an insult to poor and middle income people. If you are fortunate to see an individual tax cut, it will expire in a few years, while the benefits to the idle ultra rich and corporations are permanent.

This is an insult. This is robbery. Call your congressman.

Steve Bruesewitz

St. Charles