Families reeling from endless taxes
On Monday night, I took part in a telephone town hall with congressional candidate Steve Greenberg and State Sen. Matt Murphy.
The topic was the endless taxes imposed on us by our county, state and federal governments.
Mr. Greenberg and Sen. Murphy shared a number of shocking facts with us that deserve wider circulation.
First, Illinois has grown at half the rate of our neighboring states since Rod Blagojevich was elected due to his anti-business policies.
Second, the two highest-grossing gas stations in the entire country are just over the border in Indiana because gas is so much cheaper there than in Illinois.
Finally, a 12 percent pay raise, the largest raise in Cook County this year, was given to Todd Stroger's cousin in a year where the sales tax needed to be raised to cover a budget shortfall.
Voters need to rise up and hold all of our elected officials accountable for their actions.
As a college student from a working middle class family, I have seen how destructive the current system truly is.
Raising taxes is crippling, and I have seen how high taxes hurt families.
Mr. Greenberg outlined his proposals to lower taxes and to balance the federal budget by eliminating wasteful government spending.
Sen. Murphy discussed the proposals he is working on at a local level to provide relief to taxpayers of the community.
I am truly grateful men like Mr. Greenberg and Sen. Murphy are out there fighting for principles that help my family and millions like mine.
James Melchin
Hoffman Estates