“Taxes are what we pay for civilization,” wrote U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr. in 1927.

Because I pay taxes, Donald Trump has clean water to drink and safe food to eat.  Because I pay taxes, Donald Trump can rely on a court system to enforce his business deals, a banking system to handle his financial transactions, and a military to maintain peace for his family.  Because I pay taxes, Donald Trump can depend on safe transportation facilities to move commerce by land, air, and sea.  Because I pay taxes, Donald Trump can even collect Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Sadly, Donald Trump does not always pay federal income taxes.  He says that shows he is smart.

If he paid more taxes, maybe this country could afford better care for our veterans and our disabled children.  If he paid more taxes, maybe Republican politicians would stop threatening to reduce Social Security and Medicare benefits.  If he paid more taxes, maybe we could hire more teachers and health care workers and construction workers and engineers and scientists.
Maybe, by paying more taxes and making all the millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share, too, Donald Trump could make America great again.
Contributor: Jane Hepting