If you want jobs, you can't raise taxes

In the history of the United States we have had numerous economic recessions and several actual depressions. Our current downturn is not that unusual. Based on past experiences we are likely to resume a pattern of growth in the near future. There seems to be general agreement by all parties that job creation is the nation's current No. 1 priority.

That being the case you would think we would want to implement policies that would create the best possible climate for business development. In a capitalistic system we rely on the private sector to power our free enterprise endeavors. After all, this provides the tax base for all of our public governmental services.

However, I am concerned that the very same political leaders that tout job creation as their main objective, support measures that have the opposite effect. Under the guise of taxing the wealthy (an easy target) we are penalizing businesses that are in the best position to grow their staffs.

The new health care measure is not likely to inspire companies to increase hiring. Is chronic teen underemployment aided by routine increases in the minimum wage? How about the political cover often granted unions and advocacy groups that oppose companies growth plans they don't like?

Sometime I think we forget to realize the relationship that exists between the programs and services we have come to expect: police men, firefighters, teachers, etc. and the funding sources that pay their salaries. As we are currently finding out, these services cannot be sustained at a high level when our economy falters and tax receipts slide.

If our municipal, state and national leaders continue to claim job creation is out number one goal, we should insist that all of their proposals first address this objective.

James Mooney

Arlington Heights