OPINION

About that ‘pound’ of government services…

ASH

As we approach a national election, we should remind ourselves of basic facts.

First, that money is power. Given the sophisticated techniques of mass media, wealth can manipulate the minds of voters whose knowledge of history and recent events is sketchy. Voters should make reality checks often as they are bombarded with political messages. Second, there are many ways to raise taxes. Anyone who buys groceries knows the technique of reducing the amount while keeping the price the same: what you may have paid for a pound of coffee in the past (16 ounces), you now pay for eleven ounces. The price stayed the same, but what you got is less. The same happens with taxes and government services. Politicians may boast that they have kept taxes the same, or reduced them, but they may have reduced government services provided by those taxes. Instead of a “pound” of government services, we may only be getting eleven ounces. In a democracy, the function of government is to serve its citizens. Reducing government services can be a “hidden” way to raise taxes. We should not let ourselves be fooled.

Paul T. Bryant, Arden