Home of Today's Common Sense

Submitted 9/22
In a recent column I asserted that a message was being sent “that we are paying enough tax or too much and government must live with the amounts that are there” and “all of the taxing authorities are in competition for the available tax dollars”. Now the courts have entered the fray declaring that some education funding methods are unconstitutional.
I submit that the results of the new state education legislation will impact enormously on all government funding not just education and everyone should take an active interest in it.
I suggest that it is now crucial that we look at our priorities as to what taxes ought to be used for and fund the most critical fully, first without fail. There should never be a flap over funding things like law enforcement and emergency services or teachers fully, as they make everything else possible.

I applaud our county leaders, who apparently got the message and recently passed a budget that does not require a tax increase; one which would certainly have made it very difficult for any other taxing entity to secure additional funds. Perhaps the UT-TSC Bond issue now has a better chance!
It is difficult if not impossible to create a fair taxing system or at least one that is tolerated and to guarantee that the same dollar amount will be expended on every student in the “state / nation” is not only impossible but ludicrous.
Taxation as it exists today, creates class societies based on wealth and hostility between them based on those who pay taxes and how much.
Only a small percentage of the populace pays the vast majority of tax; yet those who pay no tax or small amounts determine how that tax will be spent in equal proportion. In the case of sales taxes and property taxes, many non-citizens do not even have a vote in how the taxes will be used or for the representatives who will. Even the contributions to communicate opinions, from foreign persons to representatives who can make their concerns known are prohibited or restricted. “This is taxation without representation and definitely not fair!” Nevertheless, there are valid social and public security arguments for the circumstances, so though unfair they are tolerated.
Certainly, those who now have more resources have benefited from the freedoms more but those resources can be lost just as easily because of the risks that must be taken in the course of business. Remember the millionaires of the dot coms that are now bankrupt.
I submit, that anyone who is willing to do what is necessary can become successful .
Several years ago, I employed Mingo, new immigrant, to do some gardening. He essentially had no resources of his own. Mingo was scrupulously reliable, did a good job at a reasonable price, and soon was asked to do other lawns in the neighborhood. He worked very hard for long hours, saved a little money for another mower and hired a second team of workers to help him. He made sure of the quality of work, and that the lawns were done when promised. Mingo now has a new truck, a home, and is planning for some rental property. Mingo still does not speak English well. From poverty to success is what a free competitive society is about.
The income tax system is not fair and discourages these success by quickly seizing larger and larger proportions of any successes. Many folks like Mingo may not be citizens and cannot have an input as to how the money will be spent. When evaluated totally, Fair – no! Tolerable – possibly!
However, we are rapidly arriving at a place where the toleration limit is being pushed.
It is time that we reevaluate the uses of community funds in the light of a limit on the availability of funds and that the acquisition those funds by the coercion needed, will never be fair only tolerable by those who must pay. At some point when this has become intolerable, as in the joke “the more wealthy friend at dinner, who became expected to pay because of his wealth, did not appear”, the level of revenue declines. How many celebrities and others from Europe make their residence in the U.S. because of the oppressive taxes there? How many businesses and people have moved from California, New York, and New Jersey to Nevada and Texas because of the oppressive taxes. The economies of Texas and Nevada have been increasing at the expense of the others. Is that fair should there be reimbursement for lost taxes.
I prey we do not need a “Proposition 13” for the politicians to get the message. Expenditures and programs that merely make the public official look better can no longer be tolerated. Elections in the near future will be won based on the efficient use of the money we entrust to them.
I urge everyone to use every opportunity to make your view of priorities known. Anyone who does not vote is saying I agree with whoever wins!