To each of you reading this letter I ask that you go to this website before continuing.

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

I hope that what you learned from the site made you mad, and taught you that government spending is out of control. You may be asking what has this to do with the city of Gerald? I’ll explain.

I was just made aware that the city of Gerald has a proposed sales tax increase on the April ballot. This increase is to pay for park improvements, which is well and good, but hasn’t the city seen that we are in a recession and that a lot of its citizens are out of work? In January 2009 I was one of those people who were laid off after 13 years. I have since found work, but it took almost 4 months. Did I go out and spend a lot of money when I got laid off, or plan to do all sorts of improvements around the house? What would you have done? I am guessing you would do the same thing I did. I set down and figured a budget cutting everything I could to the bone, and started looking for a new job. Yet the city in a similar situation with reduced revenues due to less people working proposes a new tax. Why? The answer is they think they can always go to the folks. I’m sorry, but it is time for the city to cut its budget to the bone and not spend money. All I have seen in the last 2 or so years in the city newsletter are announcements of new fees and rate increases. I for one am tired of it. It is time to say no, and while you are at it, ask yourself who came up with the idea to put more burden on the folks and businesses of Gerald and let them know how you feel at the same time.

I am sure the city may counter with the argument that keeping the park up will draw people and businesses to the town. This is a case of the cart before the horse. In 1920 the US had a very bad depression that had some indicators with higher readings than in the 1930 Great Depression. Presidents Harding and Coolidge cut the top tax rates from 74% to 25% and cut government spending by 50%. What happened was the largest growth spurt this country has ever seen with unemployment at 1.8%. The period was called the Roaring 20s.

This country was founded in large part because of all the taxes the British were imposing upon its citizens. Remember the number from the website? That number is our fault, because We The People have not stood up and said no to the government at all levels. Don’t you think it is time we said no and tell all governments to live within their means?

                        Mel Wurth

                        14 Northview

                        Gerald, MO  63037

 

< Prev		Next >