LETTERS: TIME TO GET RID OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX

To the editor:

It seems to me that our newspapers are full of stories praising government, especially federal government interference and control of every aspect of our lives. In one typical day, there was a story about how the federal income-tax take for 1998 was $1 trillion. There was another story about a federal program to control the Mississippi River for biodiversity. Then there were stories about how the government had to help pork producers and how we need to get involved with Parents as Teachers, a state-run, federal program initiated by the education legislation called Goals 2000.

My concern and question: Why? Isn't it time, since the federal income tax is taking in so much money, to cut federal income taxes? Isn't it time to let the people who earned the money keep it? Isn't it conceivable that the people who earn the money would spend it on things they wanted to buy, continuing the growth of jobs producing things? If these same people saved some of that money, it would go into accounts that would be used by banks and lending operations to fund more businesses. These businesses would produce the things we buy. Isn't it also conceivable that these same people would give money to charities, churches, fund raisers, missionaries and even to individuals whom they thought deserved help? Isn't it conceivable that parents would give their children the best education they could afford?

There is a catch phrase that goes, "Just say no." It is usually used for such things as illegal drugs and cigarettes, but I think it is time to just say no to government programs and to taxes on income.

We can continue the prosperity of our country and of countries around us by being able to purchase and sell products and services. Government does not create nor sustain prosperity. Government does not create producing jobs. Government does not educate people. People do -- people who work out their own problems, who buy, sell or trade, who earn money and spend money without infringing on the rights of others. So the next time you see some government program that is free, remember that tax money went to pay for it. If we all say no to these programs, we will cut out the need for income taxes. Let's get the government back to protecting our rights and property and defending our liberty. Let us get back to deciding how to live our lives and spend our money.

MARY NALL

Marble Hill