Letter to the Editor

Controlling commerce

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Editor,

Certainly, evil men like Bernie Madoff, who wantonly consume the dreams and futures of innocent, unassuming citizens, should find themselves in jail for the rest of their lives.

But, unfortunately, some people got away with it.

There has always been and always will be people that cheat, steal and engage in fraudulent behavior. Jacob stole Esau's birthright. The Roman tax collectors in the time of Christ exploited the populace in order to become wealthy. We should try to prevent fraud but totally eliminating it is like trying to stop the wind.

The majority of small businessmen are probably operating on a slimmer profit margin than we know and many of them are just getting really good at barely getting by. Many have already failed.

Regulations to control the fraudulent behavior of billionaires may only succeed in forcing them to find other creative ways to profit dishonestly. But tying the hands and feet of small businessmen may just be their death knell, and the day may soon come when they have to shut the doors and turn off the lights. Increased tax rates only worsens the situation.

If closing down small businesses is the result of over-regulation and higher taxes, there will be longer unemployment lines and more applicants for unemployment benefits and food stamps. Where is the money going to come from to pay for these additional benefits?

People whose businesses have failed don't pay any taxes, and neither do their former employees.

Janine Hall

McCook, Nebraska

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