Focus on raising number of taxpayers

In response to a May 19 letter by Karen Wagner, the state of Illinois is already collecting far too much in taxes now. We need more employed who will pay taxes to support those who do not.

It is not just the pension plans, it’s welfare, medical assistance, subsidized housing, Link cards, prisons and any other expense that uses tax dollars for support. We cannot free all the prisoners to cut this huge expense. But we could offer manufacturing companies now in China free help with high rent to help minimize the expense. Consumers would be able to purchase the same cheap goods made in the U.S.

Welfare recipients could be required to provide community service to collect benefits. With all the cuts in services there certainly is a need for their help.

Offer companies tax-free locations in depressed areas to encourage employment. Employees pay taxes and help reduce welfare. Tax savings could produce higher salaries and benefits. If the salaries are higher and the benefits are greater than welfare provides, more people will want to be employed.

Government pension plans have been out of control for decades. Their costs are out of control. How many taxpayers does it take to pay a pension of $100,000 a year for just one of those collecting?

Those who are collecting these pensions or will be are demanding tax increases — maybe the taxes should come from those who are now collecting, the savings going back into the pension fund.

For both government employers and taxpayers, at the next election oust all those who ignored and created the crisis.

The state is supporting way too many people without enough taxpayers to pay the expenses. We need more taxpayers, not more taxes.

Arlene Lukas

Arlington Heights