Recently, Craig Stankiewicz wrote a letter in response to a commentary by Lowell Grant on March 4. He noted the “Tax burden is overwhelming.” I”m sure that most of us are in sympathy with his feelings, but we also recognize that he is also beyond reality and seems to be dodging responsibility.
He feels that overburdened. The immediate question is, compared to whom? A little research will prove to him that the U.S. taxpayers get more service for their money than any other developed country.
We live in a democratic republic and, whether we like to admit it or not, we, the elite electorate, are responsible for the state the country is in. I think Mr. Stankiewicz needs to reflect on his role, and that of whatever party he favors. He probably does not pay any more in taxes now than he did 15 years ago when the federal government actually was operating with a surplus. But things have changed mightily since then. Federal income has suffered by politically expedient tax reductions, the size of government has increased tremendously, we have seen that laissez faire non-oversight permits financial activities to go very wrong to the point of economy collapse, we have engaged in two unfunded wars … and so on.
Mr. Stankiewicz, and his “rapidly growing portion” need to come forth with solutions to their complaints, like maybe taking a more active part in our government or perhaps to reduce their level of consumption of government services.
Guthrie “Guff” Worth
Lakeport
