TAXES: Now, about that 47%

Apparently, The Press, by way of recent editorials, would have us believe, that since they pay no federal income tax, nearly half of American households are essentially on the dole. Forty-seven percent, to be exact. Is that even possible, that this town's daily rag has gone on record saying, in effect, that the unemployed, the disabled, the working poor amongst owe something to the IRS, many already faced with desperate choices no one in this country should have to make, between paying the rent, for instance, or getting medical attention? It's bizarre. It's inhumane and just plain crazy.

Consider the circumstances under which way too many of our fellow citizens are forced to live now, unemployed through no fault of their own, their jobs outsourced; facing retirement with their 401(k)'s ravaged and depleted by Wall Street hucksters; full-time students, saddled with outrageous tuition costs. And for these and many others, there is no relief in sight. Certainly none coming from our elected, self-serving representatives in Washington D.C.

So, many fed-up Americans - mostly young people - are doing the only thing left for them to do. They're taking to the streets.

They have taken the moral high ground. They are fighting our fight. If there is any hope left for our country, for our children and grandchildren at this point, I firmly believe it's being carried on the shoulders of the Occupiers. Clearly, they deserve more support than is offered by The Press in its patronizing Oct. 14 editorial.

But I may be overlooking a key point. Despite all this, could The Press possibly be right in claiming that the super rich are already paying more than their fair share of federal income tax? Could The Press and the rest of the 47 percent believers be factually right on the money? To anyone who thinks that, I recommend you do as I did. Google "47%" to find a virtual smorgasbord of rebuttal to that claim. Click onto the link to a New York Times article by David Leonhadt, "Yes, 47% of Households Owe No Taxes. Look Closer."

DEL CAMERON

Coeur d'Alene