OPINION:
I would like to see Congress pass a new program into law to replace the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, which was passed under President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935 and abolished in 1996. Ever since the program’s abolition, there has been a large increase in the number of people (especially children) living in extreme poverty (meaning living on less than $2 per day) and deep poverty (meaning at a level half that of the official poverty line).
This could be paid for by adopting a national wealth tax of 14.25 percent on all individuals with a net worth of $10 million and higher. It’s exactly what now-President Trump proposed in 1999 before he became what I’ve always believed to be a fake conservative.
In return for receiving this assistance, all recipients would be responsible for doing some type of volunteer work and/or job training.
STEWART B. EPSTEIN
Rochester, N.Y.
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