Letter: Time for a change

Dear Editor,

I’m puzzling over my less-than-enthused reaction to your June 12 editorial. I’m definitely not excited about being number 11.

I’m not worried that our taxes have actually gone up a tiny bit; knowing our population grows and costs increase. Clearly, our status changed because other states faced the facts that they needed to raise revenues.

So maybe it’s because you said nothing about the problems that face us. Or what being number 11 does for us.

Maybe it’s because when our Republican Rep. Rhoades and our Republican Sen. Harsdorf talk about taxes, all they say is “no,” because people complain to them about taxes and corporations won’t relocate here.

We’d be better served if they sought to close the loopholes that allow corporations to underpay or avoid their taxes. And shift K-12 education support away from property taxes.

Nobody loves to pay taxes, but many accept that revenues raised are absolutely crucial to our safety, health, education of our citizens, upkeep on our roads and bridges, etc.

According to national polls, most people would accept some increases if that meant healthcare for all and environmental protection. And it’s becoming clear that taxpayer savings might well be sufficient to fund universal healthcare.

“No new taxes” has been repeated for so long that I think many believe the country runs on air. Look at Minnesota. After that dreadful bridge collapse, they said in one poll the reconstruction pace was okay, but no way should taxes be raised to pay for it! They weren’t asked who should.

I’m afraid that worn out refrain “no new taxes” now means “no new ideas!” What does your editorial board think we should do about the fact that 37,000 more kids are now in poverty in Wisconsin. And what about the thousands of our people uninsured and underinsured for healthcare?

Perhaps more importantly, what specific ideas do Republicans Rhoades and Harsdorf have for addressing our concerns? I’m looking forward to hearing these, because this year, if they don’t come up with something better, Democrats Sarah Bruch and Allison Page will. Time for change!

Tags: opinion, hudson, letter, taxes