Recent articles in The Chronicle concerning stifling, ever-increasing state taxes give me great trepidation. According to my dictionary, that means “a state of agitation from fear or confused haste.”
Good, common sense writers like John McCroskey, Peter Abbarno, John Braun and Don Brunell (in his May 22 article) pretty much say it like it is. Mr. Brunell talks about cumulative taxes and costs, all totaled, as to what this does to middle and low income people.
This amounts to reduced income for many people and households. Hard budgeting must be made to see if they can afford food, medical, insurance, housing, gas, light and which ones may have to be cut.
Democratic leaders are primarily socialists (large government and high taxes). This is necessary for them to stay in power and office to serve the people, they say. In our federal government, and in this state, we have “Taxocrats,” once known as Democrats, as evidenced by the huge tax increase.
The cumulative effects of this on top of the cost increases and inflation are staggering.
During the last Great Depression, many families relied on free venison and cheap potatoes to live on, and that was it. We do not need an increase in hunting or fishing licenses. They should be free for those in need, the elderly, handicapped or low income. More poaching is and will be done out of dire need. This is and will be if this system of government prevails.
Many people and small businesses must keep two sets of financial books these days. One for government taxes and one to live by. This has been done for some time and will be getting worse, especially in this state. It is the only way some individuals and small businesses can survive.
We all have to budget our income versus expenditures. It is very obvious that our federal and state governments do not. Their solution is to obtain more money through additional taxes — no need to budget. Boy, does this state desperately need a DOES accounting system. The results would be shocking.
This state has created a very poor business climate. More and more people and businesses will be leaving this state for more favorable conditions elsewhere. More homelessness will be created. Under our careless tax system, our financial outlook is bleak.
Remember: homelessness doesn’t just happen; it is made.
Jim Stafford
Adna
