LETTERS: PUT GOVERNMENT AT LOCAL LEVEL FOR BEST RESULTS

To the editor:

Tax Day 2001. Election-finance reform. Church property seized in Indianapolis for refusal to withhold employees' taxes.

What do these have in common? Power. As long as we depend upon the government in Washington to take care of us, we can expect that government to gobble up our liberties. Much of what is done in Washington could be better done by us in our local and state assemblies.

Taxation is a thing best done between the individual and the government. Employers are not an arm of the government and should not be required to collect taxes. If each of us wrote a check to pay our taxes, we would be more aware of the cost of government. We would tend to vote accordingly. Removing layers of bureaucracy would cut the cost of doing business and increase efficiency and accountability.

Reducing the federal budget and returning its responsibilities to local and state governments would reduce the power given to federal offices. This would reduce the pressure from special-interest groups. Money is power. Move the money to local and state governments where closer oversight by the people is possible. This will increase accountability and get us the most bang for our buck.

This is contrary to the interests of both major parties, so don't expect them to support it. If it is to happen, it will have to be from the grass roots.

ROBERT TRANKLE

Chaffee, Mo.