A flat tax rate would be the same for everyone
Bronx: Most of the problems of our constitutional democracy can easily be solved by establishing a flat IRS tax rate of 12% or 15% for everyone — no exceptions, no exclusions. That includes government officials and workers, billionaires, farm workers, office workers, pensioners, residents, non-citizens, citizens living abroad, residents of territories, students and every corporation, union and association — Big Pharma, banks, insurance companies, manufacturers, schools, churches and all religious entities (did I leave anyone out?).
With good, honest management, there would be enough to pay installments on the national debt, Social Security, medical insurance for all, relevant medicines and surgeries, maintenance of infrastructure and public lands, courts, waters, health research, defense, medical schools, public health research and consumer protection agencies, to name the most important. These calculations have been made by research and think tanks. This solution was also proposed by the late Herman Cain, Texas Republican and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza.
The big obstacle to this is a self-satisfied, contented and entitled Congress that will not give up their privileges easily, and neither will the conservative Supreme Court. Remember, 78% of laws passed by Congress are written by the affected corporations, so the public would have to participate by being watchful, informed and educated, and voting in all elections.
Our constitutional democracy is neither respected nor obeyed by President Trump and his MAGA backers. It is not working too well at present, so can’t we at least give this a try? Rose Mary Lancaster
No profiles in courage
Morristown, N.J.: I pray that the Republican conned-servatives do the right, moral thing and save our once-extraordinary democracy. In my opinion, our great country should never be led by a bully and braggart, consummate liar, sexual molester, racist, grifter (sneakers and Bibles) and felon, and certainly never a traitor to his country (Jan. 6 and all that followed). In your heart, you know we can do much better. At this moment, courage is too important not to share. Pete Begley
Defend the Constitution
Huntington, L.I.: To Voicer Timothy Collins: Thank you for your service in the Navy. While I respect your opinion comparing the condition of Alligator Alcatraz to a warship’s living quarters, there are differences you casually omit. You had rights in the military. Inmates of Alligator Alcatraz were rounded up by masked government agents in unmarked cars, irrespective of whether they committed any crime. Most are children and hard-working adults whose only crime was pursuing the American dream at jobs Americans are loath to fill. There’s a big difference between patriotic service and abject cruelty inflicted on thousands because of their ethnicity. Case in point is the violent beating by ICE agents of a Latino immigrant father of three sons who served or are serving in our Marine Corps. Your time in the service upheld the benefits of a free and democratic society, not one where basic human rights and dignity are abjectly ignored and trampled on. E. Pismo Clam
Cancel culture
Charlotte, N.C.: CBS can spin it however they want. We all know that Stephen Colbert’s show was cancelled as part of the settlement with Donald Trump. Score another win for the bully in chief. Barbara Haynes
Won’t miss it
Brooklyn: Colbert’s show is very predictable and not funny. It’s the same old Trump-bashing. It’s boring. I like good old-fashioned comedy that takes effort to write. Why wait until May 2026? Pull the plug now. It’s way overdue. Unfortunately, gone are the days of Buddy Hackett, Joan Rivers and Don Rickles. CBS has many stains on it as well, going back to Les Moonves and David Letterman and the intern. Too bad the Ed Sullivan Theater has to end this way. Mariann Tepedino
Sacrificial lamb?
Manhattan: Has CBS lost its mind? Years ago, I set my cable box to record “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” so I could watch in the morning, like I imagine millions of others do. What will CBS do next, cancel “60 Minutes,” “The Price is Right” or the “CBS Evening News?” Was the move politically motivated? If so, CBS should be ashamed. I hope Colbert comes back somewhere. Please. Raymond McEaddy
Better material
Massapequa, L.I.: I was happy to read Voicer Josh Greenberger’s comments about late-night TV and Chris Distefano, as I felt the same way — refreshing and back to the old days! When I heard that Jimmy Kimmel had guest hosts, I gave it a try. Finally, when Chris was on, I was once again laughing, enjoying the show, the audience roaring with real laughter. We didn’t have to listen to a political show, the same old obsession with Trump, with jokes, rants and lectures on both ABC and CBS. Jean Marie Chiaramonte
Blood shortage
Bellerose: According to the New York Blood Center, there’s a sharp decline in local blood donations. Only 2% of New Yorkers donate blood compared to the national average of 3%. Right now, the state is short by almost 390,000 donors. This shortage puts patients at risk. I had an aggressive prostate cancer 10 years ago, was operated on and needed a blood donation. I thank the person who donated blood that saved my life. I have cancer again, and if I need a blood donation, I wish someone steps up to help me. I ask all those who can to donate the gift of life to do so. Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Hit back
Bronx: Re ” ‘Shocking’ handling of NYPD evidence” (July 18): Former NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon sued the NYPD because, as the Russians say, revenge is the sweetest passion. Gene Roman
Soviet-style
White Plains, N.Y.: Zohran Mamdani claims he is a socialist but many of his ideas border on communist. He wants to open government grocery stores, which would put many stores out of business. He also wants to get rid of the police and doesn’t think there should be billionaires. In my opinion, his ideas would put the city in dire fiscal trouble and many people would leave to other cities. If Mamdani becomes mayor of New York City, it would be a disaster. Joan Cocurullo
Priced out
Staten Island: After 17 years, our beloved Z-One diner/restaurant in Bulls Head closed as a result of landlord greed. While the call for rent freezes and fair rents for individual tenants is ongoing, we never hear of conversations to help small businesses like Z-One and others who have to close their doors suddenly and lay off local workers. I’m sure the lot will now sit empty for a long time. Robert Paventi
Nuance needed
Hicksville, L.I.: To Voicer Sherri Rosen: Thank you for articulating the currently unpopular opinion that students in school need to have access to their phones in an emergency while attending class. I am a retired public school teacher who was in the classroom on 9/11. Many of my students’ parents worked in the World Trade Center then. You’re exactly right when you say, “Set rules about usage, but taking them away completely is wrong and dangerous.” Not to mention that many students will choose to flout the new rule, thereby turning teachers into phone police. Why is it that when people perceive a problem with a school policy, they’re ready to tear it to shreds rather than tweak it? How about some common sense, folks? Steven Malinofsky
Risqué’s risks
Merrick, L.I.: The recent scandal involving Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer who was caught cheating in public view, is a reminder of a frustrating pattern we’ve seen too many times: smart people doing dumb things. It’s almost poetic — SPDDT might as well be the new acronym for corporate scandal. These are people who’ve climbed to the top of competitive industries, often praised for their intellect and vision, only to unravel it all with decisions that are short-sighted, selfish or just plain reckless. It’s not about lack of intelligence, it’s about arrogance, the illusion of invincibility and the belief that rules don’t apply once you’ve made it to the top. And that mindset doesn’t just hurt reputations — it shakes investor confidence, undermines team morale and drags entire companies into unnecessary crises. Curtis Izen
