Editor:

I response to Jeff Cole’s letter [“Obama’s tax policy is bad for business,” Oct. 17] stating that Obama’s plans to raise taxes on those who make $250,000 per year, including small businesses, will hurt our nation’s economy and stifle job growth, I ask that he do more research. Only 2 percent of our nation’s small businesses fall into that category (using a very broad interpretation of small business) and even that percentage would have the tax levied on only a part of the income. Even “Joe the Plumber” acknowledged that he would not fall into the category in which his taxes would increase if he bought the business he works for.

So many fear the idea of raising taxes for the very wealthy thinking that growth and investments will stop, but what is not taken into consideration is that growth and investment is how the very wealthy continue to make money. That’s not going to stop. And if the middle class stopped carrying the weight of the tax burden and had more money in their pockets the likelihood would be that they would spend it, thus improving the economy.

There are many places on-line that one can go to find unbiased, non-party related facts regarding the differences and qualities of both candidates tax proposals. Before making up your mind, please check them out. At the very least, don’t let campaign ads do your thinking for you and don’t let fear guide you.

Elissa White

Kennebunk