Letters to the Editor
Taxpayer wants officials to weigh the reasons, effects of higher taxes

To the Editor,

As we enter another budget season, we are likely to be hearing requests for municipal spending which will be at a rate over and above the rate of our household incomes. When the proponents of increased spending tell you that it is justified, ask them why they think that their budget is more important than your family budget? That is what they are saying, isn't it? What makes their department more deserving than your family? Why should you have to compromise your family's quality of life even more so they will not have to sacrifice anything?

I think that the recent survey issued by the schools illustrates the indifference of government toward the welfare of our families. For example, the survey asks:

"I would specifically support an increase in funds in the 2007-2008 school budget targeted toward:

Preserving/maintaining class size.

Preserving/maintaining academic content areas.

Preserving/maintaining special enrichment classes (art, music)

Preserving/maintaining technology Preserving/maintaining athletics with no fees

Preserving/maintaining extra-curricular activities.

Let the school department to respond to the following survey:

We would agree to operate the schools within the tax limits of proposition 2 1/2 so that taxpayers could continue to afford the following:

Preserving/maintaining medical and dental care for their family

Preserving/maintaining the safe operating condition of their family vehicle

Preserving/maintaining their family home (roof, paint, etc.)

Preserving/maintaining their opportunity to take a summer vacation

Preserving/maintaining saving for their children's college education

Preserving/maintaining the ability to provide food on their tables

For every dollar we devote to the "greater good" of bloated, socialist, local government budgets, we take a dollar away from the family, which actually earned it.

If people in government want to reach into our pockets, we should at least make them look us square in the eye as they do it and make them admit that they feel that government is more important than us and our families. That is exactly what they are telling us with their actions!

Keith Harding