Close loopholes in tax payments

Leopold Potsiadlo, Las Vegas

Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011 | 2:02 a.m.

I voluntarily spent 30 years of my life defending my country in the Army to preserve our way of life. During those 30 years, corporations and individuals amassed billions, millionaires abounded and, because of various methods allowed by our Congress, some of them have paid little or no taxes.

In the meantime, Congress developed a military retirement system that included taxing the pay, with some exceptions.

Also during those 30 years, many individuals received not one but multiple deferments from serving in the military for various reasons. Some of those same people served in various positions in our government and became millionaires or headed large corporations.

I love my country and am not ashamed to pay my taxes when due. But we need to correct, through congressional action, the dishonorable practice of those who use various methods, including searching for “loopholes,” to avoid paying the proper amount of taxes.

Everyone, from corporations on down, should pay their fair share of taxes.

The debacle of General Electric not paying a penny on its billions of dollars in profits is no less disgraceful than low or no taxes paid by our billionaires and millionaires.