Dorie Rae Gallagher says:
Why would the local political leaders say anything? They are comfortable.
It is the
people of Minneapolis that need to speak up for what they feel are the
essentials.
MT says: But therein lies part of the problem. The people of Minneapolis,
many of them on this board, see everything as essentials. Gardens, art,
libraries, parks, debt service, police, parades, Block E.......what's
essential? Everything we want, we can't live without. Then we all whine when
the bill comes due.
Then Gary Hoover, while peddling for "ecojustice" says:
Let's make Minneapolis a beacon of light by having the courage to insist
that taxation be progressive.
MT says: Let me clue you into something: The spending required in living
life is regressive. The truth is: the poor pay a larger percentage of their
income to groceries and rent and video movies and medicine and gasoline and
everything else than do the rich. It's a fact of economics and mathematics
and life. If we really want to be fair about things, let's let the poor pay
less for most everything. At the store, one can show their poor card, and
they'll get a different rate on bread and milk and Cheetos. At Holiday, they
can get a cheaper rate on gas...... while there's still any left.
Why should I be expected to pay a higher tax rate simply because I make
more.......while I, quite possibly, consume less of what my taxes ostensibly
go to than the poor do? Listen, if we all want to be treated the
same.....and we all want equality, let's have it. And we can start with tax
equality. If people believe progressive taxation is an issue of ethics and
morality, and that it's my duty----- i.e. that "it's the right thing for
fellow man to do upon fellow man," that's fine---- but keep in mind that
ethics and morality are a two-way street, all in the eye of the beholder,
and city council and legislature and Supreme Court. Don't whine and moan
when, eventually, other people's code of morality, whether it be in terms of
taxes or religion or eminent domain or abortion or whatnot, clash with
yours....... and is forced down your throat the way the progressive tax
movement is crammed down the throats of people like me. Taxes ARE a moral
issue (and I believe controlled taxes are necessary)......... But statements
like Mr. Hoover's just go to show that those who wish to force their moral
code on others can exist on both the left AND the right.
Mike Thompson
Windom
If you don't think your taxes are high enough, write out a check
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