Solving the sales tax issue

Sales tax is mostly a hidden tax and has been in the news lately. We will soon be asked to approve its increase for the well-recognized need of transportation infrastructure.

Supporters point out that food, medicine and fuel will be exempt from the added tax. Recently a local radio station featured a segment about revising Missouri's current sales tax exemptions. A revision is surely needed.

The most common objection to our current tax code is the unfairness of its application. Sales tax is so well hidden that most people fail to take it into account until they are paying the bill. Few people can list nontaxable services or products, nor can they state the applicable tax rate.

Why not make all commercial transactions subject to sales tax? Do away with all tax exemptions. Everyone wanting to retain or add an exemption should make their case in a public manner.

If the Missouri Farm Bureau feels current agricultural exemptions are crucial to farming, then let Blake Hurst (president of MFB) explain why equipment for his farming operation should be tax exempt while equipment for his greenhouse business should be taxed.

A General Electric toaster is a taxable item, but purchase of the company's shares are exempt.

Any product or service purchased by a Missouri resident or sold in the state of Missouri should be equally subject to Missouri sales tax. Missouri sales tax seems to be a Gordian knot. Logic, willingness, common sense and fairness can solve this problem.

STANLEY ROBINSON, Princeton, Missouri