In response to the guest commentary by Jerry Fraser, “State income tax could replace our regressive, volatile sales tax”: If we lived in an ideal world I might agree with him. Some of what he says is true. However, we live in the real world. Some of his comments do not reflect this. Those of us who have lived for decades have learned that governments at any level cannot be satiated. It is simply the nature of government and legislators.
It is unrealistic to think that our state would implement an income tax and then not continually raise that or/ and other taxes. The only possible way that it might work is if the sales tax were eliminated entirely, as well as some other taxes and fees, and this were made a constitutional amendment that could not be reversed. Do you really think that, if the state incorporated an income tax and reduced the sales tax that, over a period of time, both the income tax and the sales tax would not be raised so that we as citizens would be paying more than we presently do? It has happened in other states and there’s no reason to think it would be different here. How many times has our sales tax been raised along with other taxes?
I would also take some issue with Mr. Fraser’s statement that it is regressive for low income folks. It may be true percentage wise that they pay more, but in dollar figures they pay much less since they do not have the income as do high earners. And, if you notice the vehicle excise taxes, the state has simply changed some of the wording/definitions and raised these rates also.
Mr. Fraser’s comment that “Washingtonians need to overcome our irrational and emotional opposition to an income tax…” is irrational in itself as, in the end, no matter what direction we go many of us know Washington state will never be satisfied with the amount of taxes they collect from us. They will always seek more.
Sherwood Sage
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
