A few comments on your April 16 article on the millions of filers using Trump tax breaks, part of the massive Republican tax and spending law passed at the beginning of his second term. In 2025, the federal government spent $7.01 trillion and had revenues of $5.23 trillion, resulting in a $1.78  trillion deficit.

Our government hasn’t approached a balanced budget for decades. It is very easy to give tax breaks and “buy votes” if one is irresponsible and not accountable for offsetting revenues. Both parties do it and our debt ($37.7 trillion) remains the elephant in the room. Why? Because to correct it means raising taxes; a no-no when trying to get elected. 

Compared to the rest of the developed world, our taxes on wealth and large corporations are ridiculously low, with thousands of loopholes written into the  tax codes by (my opinion) corrupt members of Congress. 

In 2025, the interest on our debt was $1.2 trillion. That’s $3.3 billion per day that we’re paying out.  Soon, it will surpass our enormous military spending as a line item.  In contrast, Maine raised $5.4 billion to operate all of 2025. 

Recklessly printing money is the major reason prices keep going up. It’s a massive inflation driver. Shame on us for putting such a burden on our children and grandchildren, and without providing health care.

Elect leaders who will change the tax code, please.

Stephen Musica
Harpswell