TAXES: System needs an overhaul

Assuming the tax rates for various countries in your editorial column are true and this country's average worker's tax is the lowest anywhere, you forgot to mention a couple of things.

First, the standard of living that those taxes in other countries achieve. Health care, education, infrastructure, etc. just to mention a few.

Search the inequality of the personal taxes that our citizens pay between the rich and poor. When people like Warren Buffett can say that, percentage wise, they pay less in personal taxes then their secretaries that says it all.

Finally the corporate taxes the report claims is so high. Does that take into account the deductions they make for paying their executives multi-million dollar bonuses, exorbitant salaries, the perks they enjoy from trips, cars, even the maintenance of their own personal property that's written off as corporate deductions?

Until the American people wake up and demand that our whole tax system needs revamping and those who do not pay their fair share are punished (i.e. Gary Madoff) we'll continue the widening gap between rich and poor.

PAUL UNDERWOOD

St. Maries