Lots of ways to help the middle class

Much has been made about Gov. Terry Branstad's proposal to give greater commercial tax breaks to the wealthy, but have you considered that we could give property tax breaks to the middle class? We could forgive property taxes for several years to those who buy a new house. This would encourage more to buy new homes and revive the home construction industry, providing jobs for carpenters, architects, plumbers and electricians.

We could forgive residential property taxes for retirees who want to retire in their own home. This would encourage senior citizens to retire in Iowa instead of moving to Florida.

The wealthy have gotten wealthier the past

30 years, because of public policy. Just the other way the middle class advanced in the 30 years after World War II when we created the greatest generation. You can shape public policy the way you want.

Mitt Romney says private enterprise can do a better job with government than the federal government. He says to take the restrictions off business. This is a code word for privatization or to make more inroads into society. The devil is in the details for this approach. Could Romney develop a privatization approach in which the middle class could invest? His plan at this point only benefits the wealthy.

Al Swegle

Cedar Rapids