To The Editor:
There’s been a lot of talk in all news sources, including The Valley Reporter and other platforms, about taxation for our schools. Almost all of it includes the sentiment that our legislators are insensitive to our needs as middle-and-lower class Vermonters.
The fact is that, if we continue to rely on regressive taxes (sales, property, and use taxes), it doesn’t matter who’s in Montpelier. Taxes will go up for the poorest of us.
We need to change the way we think about taxation. We need go back to the 1950s and 60s to see that prosperity was brought about through a progressive income tax system. We funded an incredible road-building system and our schools could afford to grow not shrink. (remember this was restricted to the white middle class). Both Republican and Democratic parties supported a 90% top income tax bracket. The economy was booming.
For rich people the economy is booming now.
Instead of regressive taxes (sales property and use taxes) we need to focus on progressive income and wealth taxes. This is the only way we can fairly fund our schools.
Because we are rural and small, costs are going to be high. We have to accept that. We are human and ethical. We have to educate all citizens equally.
The richest of us have benefitted greatly from the system we live in. Those of us who are rich need to pay it back. The only way we can attain a proper school funding mechanism is through progressive income and wealth taxes.
They will be happy to pay.
They know they need to step up in this time of need for our children.
It’s the right thing to do.
