Face-Off: Barron’s Readers vs. the Pros

To the Editor:
After reading the Midyear Roundtable and the online reader comments (“The Stock Market Has Bounced Back to New Highs. 55 Picks From Our Roundtable Pros,” July 11), I think that future Roundtables should be broken into two articles, one by the current cast of characters and another by a select group of long-term readers, who I believe could lend a breath of fresh air to the picks of the experts. Barron’s could then compare performances. It could be an interesting outcome.

Bruce Green
On Barrons.com

Steady as She Goes

To the Editor:
There’s no reason to lower rates until inflation has stabilized at or below 2% (“Trump Keeps Pushing Powell to Lower Interest Rates. It Could Backfire,” Up & Down Wall Street, July 11). The economy doesn’t need any more easy money. The current rate is equal to or near the historical neutral rate, so just leave it alone until inflation is in the rearview mirror.

G.D. Zanercik
On Barrons.com

Remove the FICA Cap

To the Editor:
FICA is regressive in disproportionately affecting taxpayers whose earned income is below $176,100 while benefiting those whose income exceeds this year’s cap (“Social Security Needs Fixing. What Washington Can Learn From 1983,” The Back Story, July 5). What makes it so unfair is that the sales tax, at least, applies universally regardless of one’s income. If the cap were removed and all taxpayers paid the same flat tax on all earned income, the overall tax revenue would increase, reducing the threat of Social Security insolvency. And yes, shifting earned income into nonearned income payments to evade the tax would be subject to penalty. This should be an easy one for the Fair Tax conservatives to promote “freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity.”

Martin Mutsch
Wyckoff, N.J.

Copper Pure Play

To the Editor:
I’ve been a shareholder of Southern Copper for several years (“Copper Fever Is Here. How to Play It,” July 11). I bought it as an electrification play and for the healthy dividend, and it has done well for me. It’s trading higher, but I think it’s the best pure-play stock for copper.

Doug Thompson
On Barrons.com

Donate Your RMD

To the Editor:
A person who must take a required minimum distribution can always donate it to a nonprofit and never have it touch their taxes (“Retirees, Here’s How to Take Advantage of New Tax Breaks,” Retirement, July 11). That should keep some people who are near the $75,000/$150,000 threshold from crossing it.

Scott Tirrell
On Barrons.com

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