Letters to the Editor: Harvest saved by kindness

Harvest saved by kindness

We at Kittle's Natural Produce want to thank the kind hearts and boundless energy of the Mission Valley Christian Academy servant leader program for coming out to our high tunnels recently and helping harvest hundreds of pounds of tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables just hours before a killing freeze. The enthusiasm and generosity of the students, adult mentors Andrew Russell, Michael Bond and Al Onsager, and master gardeners Milla and Dave Koger enabled us to save the harvest.

This valley is blessed by groups and individuals willing to step up to meet a need, and we are grateful to see Christ's love shine via their boots on the ground and hands in the plants.

— Jess, Rene, Spencer and Linda Kittle, Polson

Trickle down is a myth

Recently Montana state Senator Greg Hertz, R-Polson, wrote his opposition to raising taxes on corporations. He argued that corporate tax costs ultimately get passed on to workers and consumers, i.e. if corporations pay higher taxes they will pay their employees less and charge customers more.

Do we want to be where we were 100 years ago, when Anaconda Copper Mining Co. paid a pittance in taxes, despite the phenomenal amount of money they made? Anaconda’s story is a black mark in Montana history. It had a stranglehold on the government and the economy at the expense of a decent and safe livelihood for their workers. Workers and consumers didn’t get the benefit from Anaconda’s sweet tax deal.

Greg Hertz’s argument in favor of trickle-down economics is flawed because the money doesn’t end up trickling down, and historically it has never brought a better life to citizens, only to the corporations. The goal should be that everyone pays their fair share.

Last year 55 of the nation's largest corporations paid no federal income tax on more than $40 billion in profits. Does that sound like they paid their fair share? Did any of their savings on taxes trickle down to you? No. In 2020 the ratio of CEO-to-typical-worker compensation was 351-to-1. In 1989 the ratio was 61-to-1. That money is staying at the top.

— Stephanie Brancati, Big Arm

Corporate tax laws

Several recent letters have questioned Greg Hertz’s guest column concerning corporate tax laws. Simply put, corporate taxes are taxes that the federal government imposes on profits made by corporations.

In 2017, under then-President Trump, the corporate rate dropped from 35% to 21%. Since this tax is the third largest source of federal revenue, it of course impacts the federal budget. In 2017 corporate taxes generated $338 billion, and in 2019 it was $230 billion, 6.6% of the total federal revenue; down from 9%.

No one likes to pay taxes but society reaps the benefits that our government provides, including our military, the interstate highway system, Social Security and Medicare. If corporations contribute less, you and I must pick up the slack. Remember, the TCJA tax breaks for corporations were permanent, but the individual tax breaks expire in 2025.

President Biden is simply trying to increase the corporate tax rate to 28%; much lower than the 35% rate in 2017. This slight increase will not cause corporations to hire less people or pass on huge increases in product to the general public. So why is Greg Hertz and the Republican Party so opposed to this slight increase? Greed, pure and simple.

— Gerry Browning, Polson