To the editor:

I too have concerns about our governor’s effort to implement a new taxing structure for Kansas and possibly greatly reduce or eliminate income tax, a vital source of revenue for our state. The governor is taking advice from a small group with only one economic philosophy. This group represents the interest of those economically well off in our state.

Our economic system, the free market system, by its nature, encourages selfishness. As Charles Mathewes concludes in “The Republic of Grace,” “When life becomes nothing but getting and spending — or worse, seeking to obstruct another’s getting and spending — all joy disappears.  Secondly, anything becomes legitimate to get one’s way.  The collapse of all into politics means, inevitably, the collapse of any sense of higher moral order, which would serve to hold our more ruthless tendencies in check.”

The idea being presented to our governor by his advisers — lower taxes always creates economic growth — has never been proved. “They (Republicans) claim, without evidence, that taxes and regulations are killing job creation, though many countries with much higher taxes and stiffer corporate regulations have much higher employment rates than the U.S.” (Time, Oct. 10, 2011)

I would encourage our governor to remember the story of the rich fool, (Luke 12:13-21) who, when he became richer, built more barns to store his increasing wealth, only to discover he was dying. When considering the public welfare, we must often be encouraged to “love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart.”