Columnist correct on state tax priorities

Herald Columnist Todd Welch’s first column (“Spreading ‘tax policy love around’ would come at a cost,” The Herald, Jan. 15) was a breath of fresh air in that it reflected common-sense conservatism.

It had none of the racist, ideological stupidity and misinformation that defines the right these days and sadly disqualifies the GOP as an organization that thinking, caring people can support.

It seems that if we need new taxes, we first need to be shown what we’re getting for them. Without a clearly defined increase in services or benefits, tax increases in one of the hottest economies on the planet seems absurd. For instance, the metropolitan area clearly voted for mass transit though I doubt they are getting what they paid for.

Or if a new school bond is needed, we need to approve the funding. I am all for fixing our oppressive, digressive state tax structure. But taxing the wealthy must come with reductions for those with lower incomes. And it must be done without cutting off our noses to spite our faces.

The defining truth that justifies Welch’s perspective is that when the government fails to deliver efficiently it merely asks for more money whereas if a business fails to operate smartly, it goes bankrupt.

Rick Walker

Snohomish