Opinion

Redistribution is natural function of government

Posted August 13, 2017 1:00 am

Jake Griffin's Aug. 9 piece outlining how much of the state's income tax is collected from Greater Chicago is another example of misguided scorekeeping by politicians and reporters. Most government spending is intentionally redistributive.

We have no problems with taxing high-income individuals to support the less fortunate. No one is shedding tears over Jay Cutler having to pay $4 million in federal taxes on his $10 million contract, nor asking if he's getting a "fair return" on it.

But as soon as we start talking about political divisions, be it state, county, or region, there becomes an expectation that each group gets out of government exactly what they put in.

It can't work that way. Instead, Greater Chicago should be proud to be wealthy enough to support the rest of the state.

Tim Hein

Palatine

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