|
22% tax increase isn't benign Ed note: The following was written in response to a pro-tax piece that ran in The Virginian-Pilot Dear Pilot:
The increase is repeatedly quantified as only a penny, when in fact it is a penny on every dollar spent on goods purchased. That is a 22% increase in the existing sales tax. By some estimates that is $100-$125 per household, per year, on top of what is already paid in taxes. This amount, in and of itself, is
not exorbitant. However, it represents yet another incremental theft
by those with little accountability and book keeping practices that would
make those of Enron look pristine. And please don't repeat the mantra that Virginia is a low tax state. All I know is that as a self employed married head of household, government takes over 50% of my income already. And that does not include the
endless list of other taxes that, according to the Cato Institute, adds
over 20% to the cost of all consumer goods. And I don't care if it
is federal, state, regional, or local taxes. It is still money which
I have worked for which will be taken (read extorted) from me. The editors complain of the time wasted in gridlock. What about the 50% of my work day spent working to pay my tax bill? When I see how my tax dollars are squandered, I feel that is the truly wasted time. I would gladly sit a while in traffic if I could leave each work day at lunch time. And I think one worker of each two worker family would also if it meant that the other could stay home with their children. Are there pressing transportation
needs? Yes, but let the state prioritize, get back to the
essentials, and look elsewhere in their budget for the funds. I am
talking about the same budget that has exploded by 56% over the past 20
years even after adjustments for inflation and population growth! Let us return sanity to all our
tax systems. Let us start demanding that government get by on less
for a change, and not the hard working tax payers. Sincerely, |