The ObamaCare tax hike
Letters to the Editor January 1, 2013 5:30PM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel. | File photo. Jean Lachat~Sun-Times
Updated: February 3, 2013 6:12AM
Here is a little-known fact about the Affordable Care Act: As of Jan. 1, the threshold for deducting medical expenses on your income tax return increased from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of adjusted gross income for nearly everyone. Seniors 65 and older get a reprieve for three years. It’s interesting that almost every article I’ve read on ObamaCare fails to mention this tax increase that will hit the “middle class” the hardest. Then again, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who was then speaker of the House, did say, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”
Stephen W. DeFilippis, Wayne
Freedom from gun violence
Certain gun owners complain that regulation of their weapons will take away their freedom. I feel that a lack of gun regulation could take away my freedom. Is it too much to ask to attend school or to shop at a mall without worry that a gun owner, frustrated at home or at work, will take out that frustration on innocent students or shoppers?
Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows
It’s not the GOP’s fault
In the Sun-Times editorial page’s fervor to blame the Republicans for going over the fiscal cliff because they are resistant to increasing taxes on higher incomes (a measure that is only symbolic and would have no effect on reversing this country’s financial woes) it completely ignores the infinitely more important role of spending cuts, which the Democrats are loathe to put forth and support. Of course, with the media so comfortably nestled in the Dems’ pockets, this plays nicely right into their hands. They know they can’t lose.
Pamela Lopez, Alsip
Emanuel out of touch
I commend the Sun-Times on their excellent article on the diminishing number of sworn police officers since Mayor Rahm Emanuel has taken office. It proves he is out of touch and does not consider hiring police officers and public safety to be priorities. Our homicide problem is a terrible embarrassment and costing us tourist dollars. I guess bike lanes and more money to CeaseFire is the way to go.
Ken Gaines, Near West Side
