Fight taxation with no representation

The state of Illinois is actively considering an income tax increase to help offset a $9 billion budget deficit. Governor Quinn has announced that he plans to raise income taxes during the economic recession. There are other alternatives mentioned by the governor and legislators; however, their main priority is to raise taxes. The idea presented by state lawmakers and the governor is the worst option in this economic recession. In a recent interview with John Williams of WGN Radio, Governor Quinn stated that he wants to raise income taxes "on those able to pay." The governor said that he wants to cut costs, although this was not his main focus. The governor is attempting to make the people of Illinois, whom elect such officials to represent them, pay for the debt his predecessors have accumulated over the years. A simple alternative to raising the taxes would be just to cut spending and controlling expenses. According to Tax Foundation, a Web site that features articles and information about taxes, Illinois is "a donor state" when it comes to federal tax burdens and expenditures. The Web site claims that taxpayers of Illinois already "receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to the average state." All it takes to pass this state tax raise is a simple majority in the senate, and the people of Illinois will have no say in the matter unless our state representatives truly become the voice of the people. Just like the American people in the 1700s, it is time to take a stand against our own version of taxation without representation.

Hannah Bors

Lisle