Oct 21, 2017 3 min read

I honestly hurt myself laughing at the smoldering rubbish put forth by North Franklin Township solicitor Gary Stout in his Oct. 15 column. He seems to think that paying more in taxes is somehow “patriotic.” Among the absurdities Stout postulates is the notion that people are after a type of “Amazon experience” – sort of a one-stop shop – in governmental services. In my 60 years of life, I’ve never, ever had a person say to me, or even within earshot, “Gee, I think I’d like to have more government in my life!” It has been my experience that people of all walks of life and various political persuasions think that government is far too big and much too intrusive.

So, where does Stout’s notion that paying more in taxes is somehow “patriotic” come from? Well, it comes from the fact that the progressive left has not a clue about the function of capitalism. To them, government can be all things to all people, but it will cost you an appreciable amount. No public or private entity can be the answer to every single person’s individual needs. It would take a body of unsustainable enormity to be the answer to every desire. Lean, limited, small – this is the type of government envisioned by the Founders. The government on nearly all levels has grossly exceeded the ideal size and scope. I dare say that upwards of 80 percent of federal governmental functions are counter-constitutional.

Stout further points out, “The stock market is at an all-time high. Inflation, interest rates and the unemployment rate are at historic lows. This is the time to raise income taxes, not lower them.” This statement proves my prior assertion that progressives don’t understand the first thing about capitalism. The two worst things you can do to damage a recovering economy like ours in 1) raises taxes and 2) enact burdensome regulation. I don’t know where he gets the notion that the unemployment picture is rosy – far from it. For the first time in eight years, the gross domestic product is above 3 percent. President George H.W. Bush was “fired” in 1992 when the nation thought that a 4.5 percent GDP wasn’t high enough.

There is no denying that we’re still recovering from a devastating period of economic decline. Raising taxes at this juncture is suicidal. Government is not immune from the principles of capitalism’s functions, just like any private business entity. It must make spending cuts and stay within budgetary constraints – now more than ever, given the fact that the national debt has exceeded the dizzying height of $20 trillion. Natural disasters have caused some unplanned spending that is essential. Cutbacks in other areas must make up the difference.

John A. Quayle

North Franklin