In reference to the cover story on Wednesday, when anyone says lets just be fair, do they mean for them or all of us? I have yet to see fairness when it comes to taxpayers.
When was the last time your school taxes went down? When was the last time your local taxes went down? When was the last time your county taxes went down? When was the last time your state and federal taxes went down? Now let's talk about fair.
The 2010 Census has the population of Somerset County at 77,742 at a median household income of $38,712. Accordingly the statistics for Somerset County show that during the years 2005 through 2009 high school graduates were at an 82.3 percent graduation rate. That means that 17.7 percent did not graduate. Most people working in the private sector must meet certain goals to even get a raise. If they only meet 82 percent of their goal, they normally do not receive a raise. Of the 77,742 how many are on fixed incomes and haven't seen a cost of living wage increase? Of the private sector workers, how many have health care that they pay as much as 50 percent of the cost if not 100 percent, how many pay into a 401k fund that when the market changes does not get any support to cover the market change? How many people currently work in jobs where they are down sizing and you are required to take on additional responsibilities at no additional pay increases?
When you say just be fair, then you should meet your goal of 100 percent graduation rate, have annual reviews and can lose your job based on your review, switch from a defined benefit plan to a 401K plan so the taxpayers are not responsible for your retirement, pay at a minimum of 50 percent of your health care cost, and realize that because you are asked to do more in your job does not mean you deserve to be paid more. All our jobs are a privilege and not a right.
Just be fair, find a way to cut our taxes.
Bill Johnston
Berlin
When was the last time your school taxes went down? When was the last time your local taxes went down? When was the last time your county taxes went down? When was the last time your state and federal taxes went down? Now let's talk about fair.
The 2010 Census has the population of Somerset County at 77,742 at a median household income of $38,712. Accordingly the statistics for Somerset County show that during the years 2005 through 2009 high school graduates were at an 82.3 percent graduation rate. That means that 17.7 percent did not graduate. Most people working in the private sector must meet certain goals to even get a raise. If they only meet 82 percent of their goal, they normally do not receive a raise. Of the 77,742 how many are on fixed incomes and haven't seen a cost of living wage increase? Of the private sector workers, how many have health care that they pay as much as 50 percent of the cost if not 100 percent, how many pay into a 401k fund that when the market changes does not get any support to cover the market change? How many people currently work in jobs where they are down sizing and you are required to take on additional responsibilities at no additional pay increases?
When you say just be fair, then you should meet your goal of 100 percent graduation rate, have annual reviews and can lose your job based on your review, switch from a defined benefit plan to a 401K plan so the taxpayers are not responsible for your retirement, pay at a minimum of 50 percent of your health care cost, and realize that because you are asked to do more in your job does not mean you deserve to be paid more. All our jobs are a privilege and not a right.
Just be fair, find a way to cut our taxes.
Bill Johnston
Berlin
