As I write this letter today, all I can see as far as our economic future is concerned is doom and gloom. High unemployment, one out of six people on some kind of welfare, runaway government spending (with no end in sight), 50 percent of our population that does not pay federal income tax and the cash in my wallet worth less today than it was yesterday.
Most of the ads for the politicians during the last election cycle that I saw said that something needed to be done about our economic situation, and that everyone should pay their fair share to pull us out of the situation we are in. But the Natives do not pay their fair share. They are getting rich by state sponsored tax evasion, building huge new casinos, gas stations and liquor/smoke shops paid for by not paying state taxes.
I am not privy to the exact numbers, but a good estimate would be over $1 billion per year in state taxes they do not pay from just tobacco taxes alone. Not to mention gas, sales, B&O and liquor taxes they do not pay. In my opinion this is an outrage, and if more people knew these facts they would be outraged also.
What happened to them over 100 years ago was no fault of mine or anyone that is alive today. The treaties that were signed over a century ago, I would imagine, were not meant to siphon off much needed tax revenue for the state today. We are all Washington residents and therefore we should all be responsible for paying for what is needed to keep our state economically strong and a great place to live and do business.
If anyone in state government sees this, please consider this option before raising taxes on the hard working people of Washington.
Laura Stewart
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
