Disappointed with Reporter’s stance on I-1098

Your editorial (opinion) on Initiative 1098 is disappointing “Our take on the state measures” Kent Reporter, Friday, Oct. 22. You apply a fear-factor intended to influence voters to reject 1098 on an assumption of something that MIGHT happen in the future, NOT something that the voters are voting on today.

Surely, legislators could try to pose an income tax on the rest of us at some future date. But, just as surely (or perhaps more so), we can rely on (the parasitic) Tim Eyman to push one of his (pocket-stuffing) initiatives should your fear-factor ever be realized; AND, at THAT time the voters could decide whether other income levels should be taxed or not. I-1098 is NOT about taxing me, or most of the people reading this. I-1098 is about taxing individuals who can easily afford to pay more. I call them “rich people.”

I find it mystifying that people don’t understand the concept of what it means to be “rich.” By definition, rich people have enough money. While our state has the highest minimum wage in the country, the poor need that here because we also have the MOST regressive tax system in the country – meaning that the less you make, the more you pay in taxes as a percentage of income. It’s not a formula for future prosperity (except for the few). Your readers should read about “Regressive Tax” on Wikipedia, and while they’re in there, they should also study the “Gini coefficient.” We should also decide if we believe in “United we Stand,” or the dictum “every man for himself” (the “divided we fall” free choice within our democracy). Finally, your readers should look up “Progressive tax” on Wikipedia, and then make their decisions on I-1098.

In January 2000, John McCain said, “I don’t think Bill Gates needs a tax cut. I think you and your parents do.” If my memory is accurate, in 2001 Bill Gates received a $76 million dollar tax cut under George W. Bush. I don’t think he needed that money, do you? Who believes that? Raise your hands. AND, here I sit nine years later and I’m still waiting for the rich to come save me as prophesized in 2001. Should I also mention that the 2001 tax cuts have been the largest single contributing factor to the deficit? Remember the surplus?

I am guessing that your editorial opinion on 1098 has already done its damage to an effort that would bring about a more fair taxing system. There are NO taxes that people are going to like. People do not like taxes. But only a fool would think we don’t need money to operate a democracy, and the best system is the one that would be the most fair… to ALL the people. I think rich people are doing okay in our society.

Brian Edmondson

Kent