There are numerous reasons to oppose the tax bill currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. A major change in health care has been inserted, adding unnecessary confusion to an already difficult subject; it would worsen the problem of economic inequality in our country; it would cause an alarming increase in our national debt. Do we really want to borrow even more money, given the cost to future generations, just to lower taxes today?

Less frequently mentioned is the poor timing of the bill. We do not need a tax cut at this time. The economy is growing, we are at or near full employment, household incomes are rising, corporate profits are impressive and the stock market keeps making new all-time highs.

Wage growth is still lacking, but it is unclear how a tax cut would produce it. Do we really believe that corporations would share their tax savings with their workers by increasing their wages? What would be the incentive for them to do so? At times like these, we should be working to reduce our debt, not increase it. Fiscal stimulus should be saved until the next recession, when we may well need it, and then it should be a temporary measure.

Finally, the bill is very unpopular and would hurt the Republican Party politically. Our senators would serve us well by voting against it.

Michael P. Bacon

Westbrook

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