TAX BILL: Here comes inflation

I wrote to Senator Risch urging him to oppose the Republican tax bill. He wrote back that he supports it because it “strengthens families, grows business and boosts our national economy.” But the Republican tax bill does not do any of those things.

The Republican tax bill undermines the Affordable Care Act, placing 13 million more families in danger of medical bankruptcy.

The Republican tax bill drastically lowers corporate taxes in the hope that corporations will repatriate earnings kept overseas, and create jobs in the U.S. But every indication is that repatriated earnings will go to stockholders, not domestic job expansion.

Our economy is booming. Experts fear that any further boost caused by the Republican tax plan is likely to spur inflation.

Senator Risch is dead wrong.

EVAN KOCH

Spirit Lake