We have to look at expense side, too

Ralph Martire’s Nov. 22 guest commentary discusses taxing services. I’ve met Mr. Martire a couple times when I was involved with the Illinois PTA. I know he is an intelligent person, and we probably agree on certain topics. I believe most of his guest editorials make the same point, raise taxes and don’t touch expenses, because 94% of expenses are education, health care, human services and public safety. One web site indicates that Illinois has the eighth highest total tax burden. It seems that we should already have enough income.

In a household, if you are spending too much, you don’t just decide on getting another job to raise more money. You also look at the expense side. Is the government operating efficiently so only a small portion of the budget goes to the cost of providing these services? Would private companies provide these services more efficiently and with higher quality than the State?

Why are we spending so much money on illegal immigrants? Should we be taking a closer look at who is receiving benefits to make sure they truly qualify?

If our tax dollars are being used to provide health services, then shouldn’t we require the recipients to live a heathy lifestyle, if they are not? There are probably many more questions that could be asked.

Throwing more money at a problem is not the best solution. We need to look at the expense side of the equation.

Also, what services will be taxed, going to a doctor’s office? What about unintended consequences, like people no longer using certain services and businesses either firing workers or closing?

Bruce Bohren

Gurnee