To the editor:

Edward Harlow’s letter in the April 20 issue of the Call resonated with me.

It reminded me of the situation in the city of St. Louis in the late 1970s. The city was promoting a “necessary” tax increase to cover the increasing cost of basic services, such as garbage collection. Part of the strategy to promote this “necessity” was a stoppage of garbage pickup for a week or two before the day of voting, just to “demonstrate” the consequences of a “no” vote. To me this is extortion, pure and simple.

Taxation is legalized theft. The government removes cash from the pocket of producers and achievers and uses it to support an inefficient, bloated bureaucracy.

The last thing government wants to do is become efficient and reduce cost, like businesses always need to keep in mind.

The biggest problem with government at any level is the belief that if more money is needed for anything, they can just gouge the taxpayers for more.

Tightening their belts, like those paying the taxes, is definitely not on government’s radar screen.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District is fortunate to have its current board members.

They cut expenses, lowered the tax rate and improved services, including new firehouses. By most standards of governing, this board is obviously unfit to govern.

My thanks to them from a grateful taxpayer. They have demonstrated that it is possible to lower taxes and spending, and still provide essential services.

Jon Marx

Oakville