As far as I know, no one has written a differing opinion to your editorial of Sept. 20, “Tax increase talk is blather; just simplify tax code.” So here, belatedly, go I.

After saying that the president’s proposal to increase taxes (on the rich) was “an unusually bad idea for a president who specializes in bad ideas,” you went on to propose tax code reform instead.

If our legislative bodies were sane, I would actually agree. But President Barack Obama and plenty of other people know that tax reform would never get through the current Republicans in both houses.

Almost every Republican in our government has signed a pledge to Grover Norquist to never vote for any increases in taxes. That includes never voting to close any flagrant loopholes that benefiting the wealthy and big corporations. It is totally irresponsible that the Republicans have decided to turn the vital function of taxation over to Norquist, who is not an elected official, just a rich lobbyist.

So your “better idea” has a zero chance of working. President Obama’s plan, since it contains tax increases for those who can well afford it and who are not paying their fair share probably is doomed, too, so long Norquist has his leash tight on the Republicans in Congress.

So I’m afraid all your editorial accomplished was taking a few undeserved cheap shots at the president. It would have been better if you had aimed them at Norquist.

Chris Conway

Augusta

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