No tax on income of $20,000 or less

No tax on income of $20,000 or less

Deb Martin thinks that wealthy people should pay more taxes. But with the same 5 percent tax rate, they are. A poor person earning $20,000 yearly would pay $1,000 at the 5 percent tax rate. A wealthy person earning $50,000 at the same rate would pay $2,500, for the same services as the poor person.

Some wealthy people might argue that this is not fair. Poor people and rich people pay the same amount for the use of our tollways. So why not have everyone pay the same for all services.

Fortunately, we have compassionate lawmakers who would not let this happen. We should keep the same rate but with one change. Do not tax poor people making $20,000 or less. For amounts above $20,000, tax at 5 percent.

For example, if a person earns $25,000, he would pay taxes on $5,000, the amount over $20,000. If he earns $50,000, he would pay tax on $30,000, the amount over $20,000.

Chuck Coletta

Lombard