Letters to the editor April 8
Tax changes
As lawmakers in Washington discuss potential changes to the 2017 tax law, it’s important for them to consider the implications for states like Montana. Proposals to increase taxes on carried interest may seem like they only impact Wall Street, but in truth, they could negatively affect the investment flow into the businesses that are vital to Montana’s economy.
Carried interest plays a vital role in promoting long-term investments in small businesses, infrastructure, and innovation, which are essential for growth in a rural state like Montana. If Congress decides to increase taxes on this type of investment income, it could create challenges for Montana businesses in securing the capital they need to grow, hire, and strengthen our communities.
Currently, 161 private equity-backed companies support over 34,000 jobs in Montana. These businesses, which span local manufacturing, health care and agriculture, are essential to our economy. Between 2020 and 2024, $410 million in private equity investment flowed into Montana, contributing $4 billion to our state’s GDP. This isn’t a small amount; it plays a significant role in our economic foundation.
We must do everything we can to support job creators rather than adding new burdens to the investments that enable their success. Congress should reject any proposals to increase taxes on investment and instead focus on enhancing the economic tools that help states like Montana grow from the ground up.
— Nicholas Edmond, Marion
Buyer’s remorse
With almost 50% of the popular vote and many promises made, people hoped that 47 would be different from 45 and that all Americans’ lives would be improved. Not so, prompting wide-spread buyer’s remorse.
The turmoil, chaos and indiscriminate, erratic behaviors of this regime such as massive chainsaw firings have instead, upturned tens of thousands of lives and created massive discord in the name of saving money — to give to whom?
Threats, insults and executive mandates instead of true negotiations and governing have alienated neighbors and allies, assaulted global order, dismissed protections for consumers and global sustenance and exalted prejudice. Congress has ceded its responsibilities and our three branch system of checks and balances seems to have collapsed into a singular top-down voice. And, where are the elected officials, state and national, who took an oath, and did actually place their hands upon the Bible, to protect our Constitution and meaningfully represent their constituents, the people, you and me?
Most painful, heartbreaking and soul shattering for me is the complete denigration of anything deemed woke or DEI. I was raised Christian and continue to live by that internalized creed and ardently view Christ as the most woke, DEI persona imaginable.
Are you better off then you were eight week ago? It’s only been two months. What will be left of the U.S. after four years?
The clock is ticking, no screaming, louder and louder every day. Enough. Stop the carnage.
I don’t — I can’t — believe that I am alone in my disappointment and outrage. Say something, do something, please.
— Diane Edge, Bigfork