Increasing Costs, Increasing Taxes?

The TG reports that the county commissioners are feeling the financial squeeze due to "increased costs of running the government." The solution? Would it be make cuts like the rest of the world? Of course not. The answer is to ask if they can take more money from you.

The TG says that the commissioners are thinking about putting a sales tax increase on the November ballot to cover the gap they are experiencing. I wish I could put a similar pitch on the ballot. Last month I paid over $200 in gasoline, a far cry from the $75 I had budgeted. I think that it is only proper that I ask if I can reach into other people's pockets (who I'm sure are not having the same problem) and take their money.

Matt Miller asked how the community would want the county to prioritize. May I suggest to our commissioners, since I will be out of town on the 26th for the meeting, that you consider the following:

1. Heartland Home, while a compassionate and needed institution, is not a service that the government should offer. The private sector provides such works and it is the responsibility of individuals, families, and other charitable institutions (e.g. the church) to fill these needs (See Gal. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:3-16; 2 Cor. 9:5). Biblically defined the civil magistrate bears the sword. The proper role of government is to punish the evil doer and reward the one who does good (Rom. 13). It does not "lend a hand" to the needy Besides when it does try to help the needy it's help is usually deficient. That's because it is not made for that purpose. It is like using a wrench for a hammer, it doesn't work well.

2. Get rid of the food stamp program. Again, why not let those who are most capable of providing nutritional foods and decent accountability for the use of funds do the work? As a matter of fact, most items under the Job and Family Services title could probably go. I'm glad to see that they were awarded such honors as the TG mentions for their frugality. But wouldn't it be better if people depended more upon the church, their families and their neighbors than upon this government agency? Wouldn't that foster a more unified community if people were actually interacting with one another and supporting each other rather than going strait to people who really don't know them or care that much about them in the long run?

3. Finally, in this time when we are trying to foster economic growth, why are you trying to kill it? Putting more taxes on people who are already experiencing the exact same hardships that you face will only stifle economic activity all the more. If it costs me more to pay my bills already and the cost of the bubble gum is going to go up due to your tax hike, I most likely will refrain from purchasing my Hubba Bubba. That means the grocer is going to take a hit. And a hit on our local businesses is a hit on our community.