Meaningful tax reform could be enacted if both parties worked together. The payroll tax that funds Social Security could be reduced from 6.2 percent to 2 percent. That would allow working families to keep two-thirds of their payroll deduction.

A person earning $20,000 per year is taxed at 6.2 percent, or $1,240 per year (approximately $24 per week). At 2 percent, the annual tax would be $400 (approximately $8 per week). That is a difference of $16 per week in take-home pay.

Someone earning $40,000 per year would keep $32 more in take-home pay to help cover weekly bills.

Small businesses would also benefit, because they must match payroll deductions for all employees. Their obligation for three employees at 2 percent would cost less than for one employee at 6.2 percent.

The payroll tax is a flat tax. It is fair for those who earn less than $117,000 (the present cap). At 6.2 percent of $117,000, the tax is $7,254. However, for those making 10 times more income, the current tax is the same ($7,254), when it should be 10 times as much, or $72,540.

And, for those earning $11,700,000 the tax should be $725,400.

With the many millionaires (and billionaires) in the U.S., the Social Security Fund could be solvent for many years to come, even at the 2 percent rate.

The cap should be removed because it heavily favors the wealthy and is grossly unfair for most working people.

I hope others will join me in encouraging members of Congress to remove the cap and reduce the Social Security rate from 6.2 percent to 2 percent.

Richard Dubois, Auburn