If a CEO is making millions a year, a company can handle a tax hike without hurting workers

In an opinion essay last week, “How Biden’s tax hikes will hurt Illinois businesses,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch failed to consider a huge fact when he incorrectly blamed possible tax hikes for hurting local businesses. That owners probably would pass a tax increase on to their employees indicates selfish motives, to say the least.

When CEOs and other business officers make 3,000 times the hourly rate of employees, it’s quite self-serving. An employee paid $15 an hour, for example, earns approximately $30,000 a year, while a CEO might earn $13 million. Why is that officer not willing to give up a million or two a year so that employees, who enable his wealth, can afford housing, health care, food and shoes for children?

America needs to spread the tax liability more fairly to keep growing.

Beth Najberg, Near North Side

The “Rizz”

The news was startling, though not entirely unexpected. Anthony Rizzo, the heart and soul of the Chicago Cubs since his arrival in 2012, had been traded. The ever-popular first baseman no longer would be donning Cubby Blue or flashing that winning smile for his legion of fans in Chicago.

And while it is entirely possible Rizzo’s replacement also will become a fan favorite, it’s far more likely that he will never possess the same leadership skills that made the “Rizz” so great, on and off the field.

Not only Rizzo’s absence leave a gaping hole in Manager David Ross’ daily lineup. It will also leave a hole in heart of Cub fans.

Bye-bye old chum. Chicago’s loss is Gotham City’s good fortune.

Bob Ory, Elgin

Race in our curriculum

My own experience with public education was overall excellent. But given the national debate about “critical race theory” and state legislatures banning its implementation, it’s important to reflect on our approach to teaching history and race.

Students are too often left to their own devices to gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of U.S. history, specifically with respect to atrocities against Black and Indigenous people. While our community no longer paints Christopher Columbus as a hero and includes a mention of Martin Luther King when teaching history, we have ignored essential truths about the genocide committed against Indigenous people and the impact of hundreds of years of slavery.

As critical race theory is banned in schools across the nation, effectively censoring any discussion of race in general, we need to create new standards and curriculum for our own local public schools.

An equitable and truthful education about race makes everyone a better, more informed, person.

Ezra-Jean Taylor, Glenview