Archive: News

I've heard that a lobster will squirm out of the pot if dropped into boiling water. Drop him in cold water and turn it up slowly, and supposedly he won't struggle as much. The end result is the same, however, the lobster gives up the ghost and becomes dinner.

Whether Lansing wallets are hit with a sudden $883 sewer levy, or slowly squeezed $30 at a time for a library (and what's next?), the end result will be the same if something doesn't change.

We are seeing tax increases far in excess of inflation and most folks' salary increases. This is Strike One. It is a fact that the cost of everything we purchase for shelter, clothing, food and transportation is linked to the skyrocketing cost of being a petroleum-driven economy, and combined with medical expense increases is driving a "real feel" inflation rate of about 10% according to several economists. This is Strike Two.

Strike Three is quickly approaching, whereas many among us are forced to make life-changing decisions as disposable income has evaporated.

Do we save for childrens' college or save for retirement, as funding both properly is not an option any more. Do we drop the house temperature 8 degrees so we can afford healthy fruits, meats and vegetables? Do we continue to try to have an emergency fund for rainy days, or resign ourselves to spending that just to stay in the black?

The first to give up the ghost will be folks on fixed income. Then low income folks. Keep in mind, many of these folks purchased very affordable homes, just to see them be taxed out from under them several years later.

As the tax and inflation temperatures rise, it will slowly creep up the income ladder until it gets to lower middle class and middle class. When one's income bracket starts to feel the heat, join my barber as she was forced to move to Ovid last year from an affordable Fall Creek home she purchased a decade or so ago.

Unless and until tax increases and cost of living increases (inflation) come into line with salary increases, we are all losing ground.

We have enough libraries between our schools, colleges, university and county library. Another NO vote from me to begin yet another taxpayer-funded project.