Why Not?

I want to respond to the continued whining by so many that we cannot raise taxes during this difficult time. I say why not? As a school teacher my taxes have been raised a number of times in the past year. We just do not call them taxes. The state furloughed me last year; that cost me $350.00. I will not get my step-raise, which we receive for each year of experience, $70.00/month. I will not receive the pay promised for improving my students learning each year, a minimum of $750.00. Now the legislature is talking about another furlough this year, another $350.00 at least. Therefore, in the last year my “taxes” have increased at least $2,150.00 or $180.00 a month. To those that say that I should be happy I have a job I am but I have worked long and hard for this job. I have earned it; it was not given to me as a gift. On the other hand raising the property taxes $0.05 would cost about $7.00/month on a $200,000 house. I wish somebody would explain the math to me.

This was written by a friend of mine, John Reseigne, who is a teacher at my school. What do you think? All comments are welcome...pro or con.