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Posted
Oct. 11, 2002
| Reason
to Pay Higher Sales Tax Too Simplistic |
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To the editor:
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| I just read Tom Grein's "Pay Now, or Pay More Later" and
I couldn't disagree more with his conclusion that voters should
increase the sales tax. Mr. Grein suggests that there are
two courses of action: Vote "Yes" and do something; or vote
"No" and ignore the mess. |
| This is simplistic reasoning which does not attack the real
problem: Richmond's unwillingness to make tough budget choices
without burdening us with more taxes. Many, including Governor
Warner, have stated that transportation is the number one
problem in Northern Virginia. If so, then divert revenues
from projects with a lesser priority to transportation. |
| One of the arguments used by Mr. Grein and others who support
the referendum is that it "will cost the average taxpayer
only about $125 a year." What this hides of course, is that
the average taxpayer will actually be paying $1,250 per year
(the half-percent increase is one-tenth of the new sales tax;
therefore the increase is multiplied by 10 to arrive at the
true amount). |
| For those living from check to check, increasing their annual
sales tax to $1,250 is back-breaking. Let's have some compassion
for those less fortunate and kill this tax-hike scheme. |
| Lastly, Mr. Grein points to a number of elected officials
who support the tax hike as evidence of its soundness. What
a surprise, politicians who support tax increases! Of course
they support it§when we vote to increase our taxes, we are
making life easier for them. When they hold the line on taxes,
and are forced to make tough budget choices; life is harder. |
| Representatives are elected to make difficult choices, let's
force them to do their jobs by voting "No" on the Sales Tax
Referendum. Otherwise, we will pay now, and pay more later. |
| Scott Mackenzie |
| Herndon |
Copyright © 2003 The Herndon Publishing
Company
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