April 23, 2008 08:17 am Stop trashing our beautiful beach To the editor: This is a letter directed to those who are attempting to destroy one of our beautiful natural resources along the coast of New Hampshire — Hampton Beach. The sun came out the other day and guess what happened? A herd of pigs dressed like people came storming through Hampton Beach and left behind piles of trash everywhere they possibly could. There was trash everywhere. What is wrong with you people? Don't you have any decency about you? If you have absolutely no respect for yourself or the people around you, what about the world you live in? Take some responsibility upon yourself. You know you're coming to the beach for the day. Bring a trash bag with you and put your trash in it. Novel concept isn't it? This is your stuff. You brought it or bought it while you were here — take it with you when you leave. It is yours, you own it. Put it in a trash barrel. If the one near you is full, walk 25 feet to the next one. If that one is full, take it home with you and, if you must, scatter it all over your own yard and don't worry about it because someone else will probably clean it up for you. If you can't clean up after yourself, do the world a favor — stay home. We don't want you here. Well, that's how I feel. What do you think? JOHN WHITE Hampton Beach, N.H.
Cigarette tax hike will drive smokers elsewhere To the editor: I'm writing to protest any increase in the state cigarette tax. I'm a store owner who is extremely concerned about the effect a cigarette tax increase will have on my business and my employees. If the cigarette tax is raised, smokers will go elsewhere, and my sales go with them. Not only am I battling the weak economy but my own state government — the very people who were elected to represent me! It's time for state legislators to give Massachusetts retailers a break and vote "no" on any cigarette tax increase. CLIFF BETTENCOURT Bettencourt Liquors Haverhill
Politicians resort to scare tactics on taxes To the editor: Just imagine how scared Massachusetts politicians must be if voters are getting a second chance to repeal the income tax ("Tax cut effort alarms leaders," April 20). Considering 45 percent of voters approved the proposal last time, another vote is enough for politicians to roll out every scare tactic in the book. Let's see if any withstand scrutiny. The big scare comes right away from Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, who predicts "municipalities would triple property tax bills," if the income tax disappeared. In an era of eroding property values, some homeowners would benefit: Tripling a current property assessment might actually lower the current rates fixed during the boom. Florida, Texas and Washington states have no income tax, and New Hampshire only taxes dividend and interest income. Yet their property taxes are not triple our rates. Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 states with the highest combined state and federal tax burden, despite many citizens moving out of the state, particularly to income-tax free New Hampshire. Next come the heart-wrenching "save the children" tactics. School aid would be cut, budgets threatened, leaders cry. So what? Every year the so-called school budget crisis occurs, and that's with the income tax in place. Budgets are rarely slashed (unfortunately) and property taxes continue to rise. So much for arguing against repeal. So they try the unions next: Teachers would be laid off. Yes, and the good ones would be hired by private schools that will grow. Parents will continue to educate their children. But the teacher's cartel would be decimated, and with it a rich source of local politician re-election treasure. Considering private schools already spend less and deliver superior results compared to public schools (funded by parents who still pay local taxes), there's little reason to think anyone would be upset at the loss of publicly funded schools. The spectacle worsens, as politicians try invoking primordial fears, like fire. Local fire stations would become voluntary, they caution. Will we lack fire coverage? No, America's first fire stations were voluntary. Homeowners will continue to desire fire protection. They will simply contract for it from private firms. (Note with interest that the politician's fear is that firefighters will be voluntary, not that they will disappear. The fear is that firefighters won't be on the public payroll; another loss of union power for politicians.) Not even an appeal to economics works in their favor. Politicians claim that Wall Street would "punish" the state's ability to borrow (i.e., create future tax obligations). Actually, investors prefer to lend to debt-free and solvent organizations, not those with unfunded future obligations. In fact, Wall Street would likely increase its lending activities, not to the state, but to private companies who will meet the demand to build roads, remove trash, maintain electricity and deliver countless other services. The costs to the payer would be transparent and economically sound. One by one, the politicians' scare tactics are revealed as hollow bogeymen. Too many citizens, especially younger generations, do not remember (nor are they taught in state-subsidized schools) that there was a time when Americans didn't have taxes. For almost 130 years, Americans' didn't rely upon Papa Government for services and bailouts. They did for themselves, engaging or building private companies and forming voluntary associations to pool resources. There were schools before state funding. There were voluntary fire stations in Benjamin Franklin's day. Roads were built by private property owners — just as the Chicago Skyway is owned by a private firm today. Throughout the 19th century, without the benefits of modern technology, Americans created the greatest increase in productivity and standard of living ever recorded in human history. During the time of greatest economic and political liberty, cities and states across America — even in Massachusetts — prospered. We forget that people once flooded across the oceans to come to Massachusetts. It's not too hard to see why they are moving away today. MATTHEW FERRARA Andover
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