Propose a different tax

On March 21, the chairman of Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce stated in a letter to the editor, "… nonpassage [of use tax and vehicle sales tax renewal initiatives] puts a number of local businesses at a competitive disadvantage versus out-of-state businesses." Using a tax to dictate individual behavior is an indicator of a poorly designed tax policy. The purpose of a tax system is to raise revenue for necessary government functions rather than a system of penalties and benefits to guide the marketplace to policymakers' goals.

His letter went on to say, "Â… the revenue will go toward a number of public safety and economic development initiatives." Using the tax system to implement policy rather than direct spending programs, which are more transparent and subject to democratic controls, is a source of gratuitous complexity and inefficiency in the tax system, and is subject to wide abuse by rent-seeking interest groups. The main beneficiaries of the use tax initiatives are car dealerships at the expense of everyone else.

Public safety is a duty of instituted government. Everyone who enjoys life, liberty and property must pay his fair share of taxes for this protection. To fund public safety, propose a single-subject transparent tax for that purpose.

Jackson residents, you will have the opportunity to vote no on questions 1 and 2 April 5. Please encourage your family, friends and co-workers who live in Jackson to vote no, too.

ELVIS DUNN, Jackson