Tax vote showed lack of courage

So, the Illinois legislature and governor decided to raise state income taxes 67 percent during the lame-duck session. This must be one of the largest state income tax increases in our country's history. For those of us who had already lost a great deal of respect for our government, this is a moment we will never forget.

Our outgoing government representatives decided that raising taxes in the middle of the worst economic times since the 1930s made more sense than trying to cut costs and control runaway spending. Deciding to wait until after the elections, but before the next group of representatives is installed, is a stunning lack of political courage.

To be honest, I think most of the voters in Illinois would have been more receptive to paying higher taxes if we felt our government had first taken the tough steps to cut costs in every corner of our budget. The leaders say they had cut costs. Sure, in very small ways that had little impact on today's spending. Voters today are smart enough to recognize leaders who chose the easy way out.

While Wisconsin is lowering taxes and doing everything they can to attract businesses to their state, Illinois is raising taxes and doing everything they can to discourage businesses from growing. Which state is going to prosper in the years to come? Gee, I wonder. This is a classic “learning opportunity” for us all; spending money we don't have on things we can't afford is a recipe for higher taxes. Way to go, Illinois. Now, what does the new legislature intend to do about all of this? Have they got the courage to change course?

R.J. Young

Inverness