Think the Gilded Age in America was great? Not if you were among low-wage workers | Opinion

Era of greatness

In his March 26 op-ed, “What made America great in the Gilded Age,” Mario Loyola wrote that the period “had its dark side,” then failed to mention the cost in lives lost by “regulation being light and efficient.” He also didn’t mention that era’s income gap is only exceeded by today’s income gap.

The “progressive” regulations he seems to deride are what created the middle class, which in turn created safer working conditions and brought millions of Americans out of poverty by placing restrictions on the ability of the “robber barons” to abuse their employees. “Progressive” regulations also made it possible for those employees to be able to collectively bargain for wages and benefits.

Loyola wants to “return to the interstate competition.” In other words, the race to the bottom to see which state can eliminate as many worker and consumer protections as possible to maximize profits. We have seen this before, with corporations leaving the U.S. to avoid regulations and maximize their shareholder returns. Corporations were not forced to leave because they were “losing” money; they left because the profit margin for upper management and shareholders was not big enough.

America was “great in the Gilded Age,” but only if you were one of the “gilded.” Those who did the backbreaking work of mining and harvesting raw materials and who produced the goods from those materials were left behind, until government abandoned laissez-faire oversight and mandated that workers and consumers were as important as those who had enriched themselves at others’ expense.

Scot McCluskey,

Davie

Adjustment needed

By now, it has become evident that MAGA is detrimental to our country. Perhaps it is time for MAWA — Make America Woke Again!

Carlos M. Taracido,

Miami

The remainders

Miami Herald Sports columnist Omar Kelly’s March 25 piece, “Dolphins newcomers reek of desperation, and maybe hunger,” is right on target. The Dolphins continue to take used up, unwanted and injured players from other teams.

What can we expect from this team other than misery?

Poor Steve Ross — he’s not poor — has opened his wallet time after time to General Manager Chris Grier, yet he has given him another year to fail again. Head Coach Mike McDaniel was cutesy early on, but that has worn off, too.

Does Leo Durocher’s 1946 quote, “nice guys finish last” apply to McDaniel and/or Grier?

Buckle up for another seemingly meaningless year, though I hope I’m wrong.

Norman Goldenberg,

Miami Beach

AI and the IRS

The March 6 Miami Herald published the New York Times story, “Trump administration pushes to slash IRS workforce in half,“ which was heavy on emotion and light on facts. It is too soon to determine the ultimate impact of workforce cuts.

Will there be some pain as the IRS transitions to better efficiency?

Yes. That always happens, as the size and scope required to finally bring the IRS information technology, particularly the taxpayer, tax preparer and representative facing part of it, fully into the 21st century and determine the proper and needed staffing levels within that altered reality. The use of AI will greatly reduce the internal and external administrative workloads (which includes income, excise, employment, estate and gift taxes) and their enforcement.

In the meantime, during this filing season, taxpayers should keep in mind that the IRS’s criminal investigation function is not being downsized. Special agents are very capable tax and financial investigators. Furthermore, AI has already been implemented, which has proven capable of screening returns for errors and abuse.

Going forward, as AI is adopted, IRS administrative error rates will decline and the detection of noncompliance, civil and criminal, will improve.

Robert E. Panoff,

past chair of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar,

past IRSAC (Internal Revenue Service Advisory Counsel) member 2005-2007;2020-2022,

Pinecrest

Disorderly judge

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently said that “judges are out of control.” Here is an example of one. A Miami-Dade County judge set a $1 bond for a defendant charged with driving under the influence. The defendant was charged with cannabis possession, with intent to sell, just 1,000 feet from a church. The defendant was released on his own recognizance.

This type of judicial abuse takes place daily in Miami-Dade’s criminal courts.

Sal Rivas,

Florida chair,

National Association of Bail Agents,

Miami

Crossed signal

Our president never fails to entertain us with his self-serving personal twist on the facts and the truth. He swings sideways to downplay the seriousness of the Signal Chat leak. He seemingly suggests that it is nothing. No need to investigate. All is well. Instead, let’s attack the reporter and his publication.

Of course, Donald Trump can do nothing wrong. Imagine for a moment if this had happened under Joe Biden’s watch. Trump would have launched a venomous attack on everyone involved. And rightfully so. This is a serious security breach that could have had serious consequences to our military.

Is the truth so hard to believe?

Shame on all of us! Some day, true Americans will realize where this is all headed. I pray it won’t be too late.

Robert Lynch,

Davie

Bear hunt?

If no one today is complaining about nuisance bears in their Florida neighborhoods, as was the case in 2015, why is another bear hunt needed?

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission uses the word “harvesting” instead of “killing,” as if to minimize the intent. In 2015, 1,900 hunters showed up to kill bears. In only four days, the slaughter was over. Lactating females and cubs a year old or younger were killed as collateral damage.

Why do all these people show up to kill these bears? What kind of gratification do they get?

Maybe a psychiatrist can explain it, because I can’t.

Mark Osman,

Kendall

Eat cake!

It is amazing that our nation’s two co-presidents — who do not need Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid — are dictating to the people who truly need these programs what they can and cannot have.

Mario Signorello,

Port St. Lucie

Unplugged

Re: the March 25 Miami Herald online story, “Miami-Dade was set to get millions for new electric car chargers. Trump pulled the plug.” Sorry that Florida has missed out on more than $200 million that could have supported civic organizations, gas stations, truck stops and convenience stores that would expand into EV charging points. Florida and the country really need to transition to clean energy to protect us from climate change.

Apparently, the Trump administration and Florida’s government don’t take climate change seriously, even though the streets of Miami flood and the danger of encroaching salt water is a real possibility. Just because it isn’t happening now, it should be ignored.

Our children and grandchildren will wonder why we weren’t thinking ahead to keep our environment safe for them. What will you tell them?

Maggie Wineburgh-Freed,

Los Angeles, CA

Better tennis

The energy surrounding this year’s Miami Open proves once again that tennis is more than just a sport — it’s a spectacle that unites fans, inspires young athletes and showcases Miami as a global tennis hub. The tournament’s intensity, the rising stars and the resilience of seasoned champions remind us why this city has become a key stop on the ATP and WTA tours.

Yet, beyond the stadium lights, we should also focus on expanding the sport’s access. Miami’s tennis legacy will only grow if we invest in youth programs, improve public facilities and provide more accessibility to aspiring players from all backgrounds.

Tennis thrives on passion and it should be nurtured at every level. Let’s channel Miami Open’s excitement into long-term support for the sport, ensuring the next generation of champions.

Anis Nia Febriana,

Blitar, East Java,

Indonesia