Governments tax as much as possible

Recently a congressman suggested raising the gasoline tax by 50 cents a gallon and justified his position by saying that when the price per gallon was at its peak (over $3.40 a gallon), Americans didn't change their driving habits. What the Congressman doesn't understand is that the average American cut other spending to be able to drive to work and back. Is this the mentality that taxing bodies possess?

Each taxing body acts as though it's important and the only one that exists. We are overtaxed in America. Federal and state income taxes head the list, followed by county, township, city and TIF bodies. The list hasn't ended yet because there are state, federal, county and city sales taxes on anything we buy. If you can save money or purchase stocks, you are taxed on the interest. Finally if you inherit anything there is a tax and when you die there is a tax.

The government (all agencies) is collecting far more than 50 percent of an American's income. Americans are paying more taxes than ever before while seeing any benefits or services reduced. How much of this money duplicates programs covered by the various agencies?

Governing bodies have become so isolated from the taxpayer that a tax-and-spend philosophy gets worse. Accountability for every dollar spent is almost non-existent. Government has become so large and inefficient that it seems to encourage graft and corruption and waste. This includes nepotism, kickbacks, earmarks and political fund-raising. Politicians seem to have an agenda apart from the voters. It has become taxation without representation or accountability.

Wayne Oras

Schaumburg