The Uproar Over Donald Trump’s Taxes

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/opinion/the-uproar-over-donald-trumps-taxes.html

Version 0 of 1.

To the Editor:

Re “Trump’s 1995 Tax Records Claim $916 Million Loss” (front page, Oct. 2):

Criticism seems to be aimed at the likelihood that Donald Trump was able to avoid taxes for many years by declaring this loss. That is perfectly legal with our complex and unfair income tax structure.

The point is that someone who has promoted himself as a great businessman lost almost a billion dollars in one year. His bankruptcies and his cheating of many people and small businesses by failing to pay them for services rendered also show that he is not the great businessman he says he is.

We cannot afford the great risk he poses to our country’s financial health as well as our physical security.

JEFF HALEY

Lakewood, Colo.

To the Editor:

According to a Trump campaign statement in response to disclosure of Donald Trump’s 1995 tax records, “Mr. Trump knows the tax code far better than anyone who has ever run for President and he is the only one that knows how to fix it.”

Why would he?

KAREN BUGLASS

Rockville, Md.

To the Editor:

Criticizing Donald Trump for taking advantage of loopholes in the tax laws is the wrong approach.

His supporters celebrate his “genius” at working the system, and he says his knowledge of the system makes him qualified to reform it.

While I do not believe that Mr. Trump is a genius or qualified, I do believe that the way to expose his cynicism and disingenuousness in this connection is to assume, for the sake of argument, that he is both.

If so, the way to demonstrate his commitment to reform would be to disclose all of his tax returns; show precisely, loophole by loophole, how he crafted a compliant approach to avoiding federal taxes, and make it his express policy to close those loopholes in the first hundred days of his presidency.

That would demonstrate his genius, if any, as well as transparency, selflessness and a commitment to the public good.

ARTHUR RUSSELL

Nutley, N.J.

To the Editor:

Re “Trump, the Tax Code and a Loophole for the Rich,” by James B. Stewart (Common Sense column, front page, Oct. 3):

It is not just the avoidance of paying taxes that is an issue for Donald Trump and others; it is the avoidance of civic responsibility by those who consciously avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

To be a part of a community is to contribute to the community’s well-being, including public safety, public health, public transportation and public education.

Mr. Trump proclaims that our country’s infrastructure is crumbling, but he avoids contributing to its repair. Avoiding taxes doesn’t illustrate that one is smart; it illustrates that one is selfish.

JAMES C. COOMER

Norcross, Ga.

To the Editor:

Re “Campaign Struggles to Move Past Tax Revelation” (front page, Oct. 3):

Taxes are everyone’s sore spot. We all hate them and try to exploit tax laws to get out of as much as we can. Sometimes using loopholes in the tax laws can get sketchy, but most of us would use them if we had the opportunity.

Now that Donald Trump’s tax history has been acknowledged, can we please move on to more important things? This presidential race seems to be about slandering each candidate and ignoring the big questions of which candidate and his or her platform would be best for our country.

Let’s move on.

COURTNEY CALVERT

Collegedale, Tenn.