Re. “Capital gains tax right thing to do” (The Columbian, Sept. 19): Columnist Greg Jayne is started in the right direction but to really correct the wealth gap our state and nation need a wealth tax, too. The two principle evils of massive wealth concentration are first, that those with the wealth own the government (through campaign contributions and other favors) and thus get tax laws to help them accumulate still more wealth; and second, that the rest of the population is demoralized and disenfranchised from our democracy.
I suggest that a strongly progressive annual national tax of wealth is the best way to reduce our debt load and reduce the extreme influence of the super wealthy. Perhaps a range from 0.05 percent on wealth over $1 million up to 5 percent over $500 million. This would tax personal and real property, liquid assets, and financial holdings such as annuities
