A letter to politicians
An open letter to Montana State politicians — previous, incumbents and candidates. How do you answer these questions?
1) A $4 billion-plus surplus (Yes, that a few zeros! $4,000,000,000.00) is now being touted as a great political accomplishment by some politicians. Where did it go? (a small percent was returned to some homeowners at $400 each). What about subsequent years surpluses? Hush hush — no press releases on that!
2) Why do you tax Montana seniors on their federal social security?
3) What happened to the Capital Gains tax that was ‘temporarily suspended (or eliminated) during a previous year of tax shortfall? This causes capital gains to be taxed as ordinary income.
4) Why does a 20-year-old ATV sold for $100, pay the same license fee as a new $15,000 ATV?
5) Why, when you purchase a vehicle requiring a permanent license, and the seller has a permanent license on the vehicle, do you have to AGAIN buy a permanent license?
6) Why, when most states that even have an income tax charge about 15 percent of the federal amount, is Montana’s tax approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the federal tax?
7) Why are property taxes still climbing? Even in a down market, and with hundreds of new expensive homes, each thousands each to the tax?
8) Why does Montana insist on charging public utilities large amounts of tax on facilities? Are not we the customer actually paying that tax on our bill because of added expense (tax)?
9) Why does Montana have surpluses? If you purchase $38 in groceries and pay with a $50 bill, a surplus exists; You receive a ‘refund’ (change) $12. Now suppose that the clerk states, (while eyeing the $50), “those folks behind you don’t have quite enough for all their groceries, and that little girl over there needs some sweets — that old timer hasn’t been able to even afford a beer — that comes to $14 so you owe $2 more!” HOW FAR WOULD THAT GO?
10) Why is there a flex-budget mentality in Helena? Is it because our ‘cousins’ Utah and Colorado, began this system several years ago with budgets set AFTER the assessments have been sent out so they can ‘SPEND IT ALL’?
Montana has established the bureau method of government to relieve the elected officials work load (delegating authority to state employees who are not elected). This results in ‘departments’ fish and game, health and welfare, motor vehicles, revenue, etc., operating under their own authority; running wild with no restrictions and little if any oversight charging fees for most services, increasing the gross income and expanding and expanding the bureau.
These questions have been posed to several politicians that have years of time in office, and were answered this way: Those are all good questions; Montana does this and Montana does it that way — (I thought they were the government; I don’t think there was a surplus! ).
Some who acknowledge the surplus want to use the cash for local parks, give it to those who need heat this winter, improve services (even when ‘levies’ are in place to fund those services).
These public servants seem to be oblivious that they represent us, work for us, receive a pay check and beautiful benefits, and have a boss. They should watch out — the boss may be looking over their shoulder!
Jerry Messing
Thompson Falls