To the editor:
There have been many things I have told myself to write a letter about (such as why does a town this size need three sister cities), but this issue has been the deciding one: taxing us on our utilities.
As if we were not taxed enough already, the state of Kansas wants to add taxes to our utilities! At the high rate of taxation in effect in Lawrence, this extra amount would be very burdensome. It is ridiculous that we have to pay taxes on the food we buy, but now to pay tax on water, natural gas and electricity is truly too much.
Adding this worry to wondering if my doctor will accept me as a Medicare patient now that the payments to him have been decreased, wondering if the state of Kansas pull the rug out from under my KPERS, the increasing price of nearly everything, apparently I will have to be colder (or hotter depending on the season), dirtier and live in the dark!
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LadyJ (anonymous) says…
A quick Internet search shows gas reached $3 a gallon as far back as 2005. I didn't realize the Obama administration started back that long ago.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"As if we were not taxed enough already, the state of Kansas wants to add taxes to our utilities! "
That's because the wealthiest Kansans can afford lobbyists to make sure that when the state government needs money, they aren't asked to pick up their fair share of the tab.
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
The answer is never to cut spending but just take more of our money. When the government doesn't even think it's our money, it's time to shake up the government.
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
Excellent letter, Ms. Wiley. Sales taxes hurt the poor the most, which is why taxing utilities and, God forbid, increasing our state sales tax by another full percent are the wrong answers.
The solution is to reduce the size and reach of government. It seems that you and I agree.
Centerville (anonymous) says…
Plus, we're paying electric bills that include the Sebilius surcharge (15% per year for 5 years) which she promised Westar (and will be ordered by our toothless KCC and CURB). All Westar has to do is play Potemkin Village with some windmills.
markclark (anonymous) says…
Declining fed tax burden for 25 years, flat or declining state tax burden over same period result in more regressive taxation. Not rocket science. The Hobbesian society we're devolving toward characterizes life as nasty, brutish and short. So, she may be colder (or hotter depending on the season), dirtier and live in the dark but with any luck it will soon be over.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Ms. Wiley, you just now figuring out your utilities are taxed. You are paying for the empTy with the sales tax increase that Lawrence passed. Did you vote for it?
This town is becoming a retiree mecca. In fact the downtown merchants want to cater to retirees so bad, that they are now going to have 15 minute meters, for the old folks to "get in and get out".. And let me tell you, old folks need more than 15 minutes ! :)
later, ms wiley.
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
and the money taken in for all the lottery games....where dat?
whats_going_on (anonymous) says…
Hmm, I suppose if this happens, use less energy, which we need to do anyway.
-Turn off lights
-Unplug things (even when you're not using them...yes, its a pain to plug everything in, but it'll save money, quit being lazy)
-Open windows in the summer and make sure they are sealed in the winter
-Invest in small heating/cooling units
-Get energy saving light bulbs
If you do all these things and still can't afford it, get a smaller place, roommates, or talk to the utiility companies about the problem, they usually have cost saving plans.
Jimo (anonymous) says…
Maybe Wiley should have stuck to the three sister cities theme if she was going to be a Big Baby.
Big Babies, you see, can always be relied upon to complain about taxes and the cost of life in general. Big Babies never save money, thinking that somehow tomorrow will pay for itself.
A Big Baby simultaneously complains that government is taking too much in taxes but then turns right around and "worries" that the government spending paid for by taxes won't keep showing up in the Baby's hands.
So go ahead Ms. Wiley, throw that temper tantrum. When you're done, maybe you can finally grow up.
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
Jimo,
Government employees have a right to expect their employer to honor their pension promises. Kudos to Ms. Wiley.
Those who have contributed over a lifetime to fund government programs such as Medicare have a right to expect the government to honor their promises. Kudos to Ms. Wiley.
Those of us who pay taxes have a right to complain when our government seeks to raise taxes and increase spending. Kudos to Ms. Wiley.
Jimo (anonymous) says…
Setting: "when our government seeks to raise taxes and increase spending"
Obviously, you aren't paying attention, a core characteristic of a Big Baby. Or maybe you're just prone to making nonsensical statements. In the space of 50 words you move from complaining that government should pay for things from taxes to complaining about paying taxes. Big Baby wanna cry?
"Those of us who pay taxes"
Seriously dude, you don't even pay enough taxes to cover your own welfare let alone pay for someone else.
somedude20 (anonymous) says…
Let me give a shout out to all of my homies, who like me, have been and will be forced to pay into medicare and social s for a long time to come (so that others can get theirs) and we never get a penny back from it! go team!
KSManimal (anonymous) says…
The author writes:
"Adding this worry to wondering if my doctor will accept me as a Medicare patient now that the payments to him have been decreased, wondering if the state of Kansas pull the rug out from under my KPERS"
So....you want the government benefits, but not the liabilities? It never ceases to amaze me how many folks can't connect the dots between the government benefits they enjoy and the taxes they pay. In the same breath, they'll complain about city taxes and then complain that their street isn't plowed or the potholes aren't fixed. Complain about state taxes, then complain about reduced benefits. Complain about federal taxes, then complain about cuts in Medicare.
Nothing's free.
markclark (anonymous) says…
Thanks KSManimal. That's the point I was trying to make earlier. It's exactly this inability of people to connect the dots--this LTE being a prime example--that makes one's head explode.
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
Ms. Wiley's Medicare and KPERS complaints underscore how completely unsustainable these government programs are.
Let American workers opt out of Medicare now and use the savings to invest in their own health care.
Allow state employees to opt out of KPERS now and save for their own secure retirement.
And finally, let wage earners opt out of the Social Security penalty now if they so choose and save the 12.4% of their income that the government currently confiscates. You and I and our neighbors have the ability to invest in a lasting legacy, not one that faces deficits, IOUs and a hollow trust fund.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
I wish someone from that sister city in Eutin Germany would come to Lawrence and open a German restaurant. How can a city have a sister city and not serve the food of the sister city? That doesn't seem to be very sisterly.
mr_right_wing (anonymous) says…
Why do we always blame the middle east and OPEC for oil prices? Don't we get the majority of our oil from Canada? Does even Canadian oil have to go through OPEC? Maybe I don't understand that correctly.
I've also heard in the past that there is more natural gas under our (American) soil than there is oil in the middle east, and thanks to environmental laws/regulations we can only get to a very small part of it.
Propaganda?
merrill (anonymous) says…
Taxpayers in Lawrence, Kansas will pay $209.9 million for total Iraq and Afghanistan war spending since 2001. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
67,135 People with Health Care for One Year OR
4,973 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
4,572 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year OR
34,118 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
37,825 Students receiving Pell Grants of $5550 OR
2,522 Affordable Housing Units OR
121,048 Children with Health Care for One Year OR
34,739 Head Start Places for Children for One Year OR
4,515 Elementary School Teachers for One Year OR
216,117 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year
commuter (anonymous) says…
Could the increase in taxes be used to fund education???
Also, just think if we didn't spend all of that money on Iraq & Afghanistan, we could could send Merill from lawrence and never see his cut and paste again. Or Congress would see another way of spending the money.
OonlyBonly (anonymous) says…
Methinks I sense a Troll - Jimo......
Lynn731 (anonymous) says…
We are taxed way too much already. This proposal is ridiculous, and I hope the people en masse will fight it by burying your Reps & Senators in letters, postcards and phone calls. Thank you, Lynn