Letter: Alabamans say no to big tax increases

Monday, Sept. 15, 2003 | 8:40 a.m.

How interesting! A popular Republican tax-cutting governor of a small, conservative-leaning state campaigns for the largest tax increase in state history. He says the record increase is only "fair." He says it is essential to keep providing government services. He says it is essential to fund education. He threatens that if the record tax increase is not passed, schools will be closed, the poor left adrift, prisoners released, state services cut, teachers fired. Sounds just like Nevada and Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn to me.

Except in this case the state is Alabama, the Republican governor is named Bob Riley and the tax increase is not up to the politicians -- it is put before the voters. Result: an overwhelming defeat. Sixty-eight percent of the voters decided they'd rather take a chance on services being cut and schools being closed than accept an unfair tax burden of epic proportions.

It's close to impossible to get 68 percent of Americans to agree on anything. Yet when you put taxes up for a vote, the answer is always an overwhelming no. The voters demand drastic cuts in government spending -- not tax increases -- to solve deficits. That same sentiment holds true in Nevada as well as in Alabama.

Gov. Guinn and Big Gaming take note. The people of Nevada will vote your big tax increases down too -- if they are ever put to a democratic vote. The people clearly understand the "fairness issue" and the only fair tax plan they approve of is a drastic cut in spending.

WAYNE ALLYN ROOT