RobEnders

2011-12-16T05:01:34.052Z

That yes-vote wasn't for "lowering the income tax in Massachusetts"; it was for ELIMINATING the income tax in Massachusetts--an action that, had it passed, would have been an unmitigated disaster for a state which depends on a well-educated workforce for its very lifeblood. Journalists owe it to their readers to sudy what they are describing and to describe it accurately and in context. Paying taxes is, by the way, one way to be patriotic and support the country and our brave men and women in the Guard and in the active services. There's no other way to pay for them and their equipment (electronics or low-tech).

- Robert Enders, Lexington MA

John Keller

2011-12-16T05:01:32.959Z

Robert Enders is right when he points out that paying taxes is a patriotic act. With that in mind, were supporters of the failed Massachusetts ballot initiative to eliminate the state income tax unpatriotic? I think the measure's supporters were asking themselves, at what stage do they become compelled to be so patriotic as to be working against their own interests. Massachusetts taxpayers are asking themselves how much abuse they have to take. They're being asked to pay the salary of State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, who's under arrest after FBI surveillance caught her stuffing bribe money into her bra. They still have to pay tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike 20 years after that roadway was all paid for. Get rid of the income tax in Massachusetts, and the kids will still go to school, the cops will still patrol their beats, the firefighters will still respond to alarms, and the roads will still get plowed in the winter. We do it in New Hampshire. Eliminate the Massachusetts income tax, however, and there might be a little less graft and corruption. I think that was the whole idea.

-- John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

Election night

RobEnders

John Keller