Pass on the Kool-Aid

I’m amazed every time I read a letter encouraging us to vote for a tax increase or continuation of an expiring tax/levy. The arguments for more/continued spending are almost exclusively emotional, usually “it’s for ‘the children’ ” or some other heartstring-tugging constituency.

They tell us how insignificant the proposed increase is – so little we’ll barely notice it. Another tactic is to call the increase an “investment” in the future or some other Kool-Aid inspired phrase.

It all adds up – even the small amounts. We continue to spend money we don’t have. When is this nickel-and-diming going to stop? Who do you think is going to pay for all this – just the “rich”? Even if you don’t pay any federal income tax (like a growing percentage of people), all of us pay sales, property and a host of other taxes. Yes, even renters pay property tax, or do you naively think landlords don’t pass a portion of those taxes on to tenants in their rent?

Just because the federal government is in a spending orgy doesn’t mean we have to follow their irresponsible lead. Let’s stick to constitutionally mandated spending and save the “nice to have” things for better times.

Mike Gross

Spokane